North London Collegiate School
Middlesex · HA8 7RJ
North London Collegiate School is one of England's most academically distinguished girls' schools, founded in 1850 by the pioneering educationist Frances Mary Buss and widely regarded as the UK's oldest academic girls' school. Situated on a leafy campus in Edgware, Middlesex, it combines a rigorous academic culture with a genuine breadth of co-curricular opportunity, producing confident, intellectually curious young women. NLCS consistently ranks among the top independent schools nationally for A-level and IB results, and its ethos — rooted in joyful scholarship and fearless ambition — permeates every year group from Junior to Sixth Form. The school's global reach through the NLCS International network and its Eureka Schools Programme underline its progressive, outward-looking identity.
- →Consistently outstanding academic results with genuine depth of intellectual culture rather than rote drilling
- →Broad and ambitious co-curricular programme including the Canons Sports Centre, music, STEM entrepreneurship (Surge Academy) and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme
- →Strong feminist ethos and proven track record of producing high-achieving women who go on to lead in their fields
Who thrives here
Academically able, self-motivated girls who relish being stretched intellectually and want to pursue interests well beyond the classroom — particularly those who thrive in a high-expectations environment that also encourages independent thought and creativity.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 7RJ
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Rachel Weisz
Academy Award-winning actress
Sadie Frost
Actress and film producer
Marie Stopes
Pioneer of family planning and palaeobotanist
Ruth Lawrence
Child mathematics prodigy, Oxford graduate and professor
Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
Barrister, author and crossbench peer
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at North London Collegiate School?
Day fees at North London Collegiate School are approximately £31,095 per year (2026/27).
How do you get into North London Collegiate School?
North London Collegiate School admits pupils at 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are North London Collegiate School's exam results?
At North London Collegiate School, 60% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 86.7% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is North London Collegiate School a boarding school?
North London Collegiate School is a day school in Middlesex and does not offer boarding.
What is North London Collegiate School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated North London Collegiate School “Excellent” (2019).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional quality of teaching — subject specialists who are genuinely passionate and push pupils to think deeply
✓Breadth of opportunity beyond academics: music, sport, enterprise and leadership programmes are all taken seriously
✓Girls emerge highly confident, articulate and prepared for university and professional life
✓Strong sense of community and tradition balanced with a modern, forward-looking ethos
Common concerns
!Academic pressure can be intense and not all girls cope equally well with the high-expectations culture
!Large school size can make it harder for quieter pupils to find their voice or receive individual attention
!Fees, though unconfirmed, are understood to be among the higher end for North London day schools, and bursary provision — while available — is limited in volume