UK Boarding Schools | Independent Schools | Private Schools

Founded in 1893, Harrogate Ladies’ College is a boarding and day school with 315 pupils aged 11 to 18. Highfield Prep School, a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2–11, is set in the College’s grounds and since its opening in 1999 has grown into one of the leading prep schools in North Yorkshire.

Academic excellence
Outstanding teaching, strong pastoral support and a secure, friendly community allow girls to become confident, accomplished young women. The College’s consistently high examination results place it in the UK’s top 25 boarding schools. At GCSE, 60% of grades obtained were either A*s or As; three girls gained ten A*s. Every girl passed English, maths and the science examinations, most with A*s or As. At A-level, 82% of all grades gained were at A*–B. The Financial Times ranked the School as the top independent school in the whole of Yorkshire in 2010. There is a consistent record of success at Oxbridge level, and over 90% of our Upper Sixth leavers secured their first or second choice university, often a Russell Group university.

Boarding
Nearly half the College’s students are boarders, coming from all over the world. The boarding houses are arranged vertically from U3 (Year 7) to L6 (Year 12). Upper Sixth Formers enjoy a greater sense of freedom in their own accommodation called ‘Tower House’. This contains a large, modern kitchen, comfortable lounges and relaxation areas, and girls have individual study-bedrooms. Each house has a housemistress and assistant housemistress who are responsible for the wellbeing of the girls.

Facilities and extracurricular
A major innovation is the opening of our HLC Business School where business, accounting, economics and psychology are taught by specialist teachers. Other purpose-built resource areas include a design and technology suite, food technology suite, science block, music house, sports centre and swimming pool. Girls currently have a choice of over 20 GCSE and 28 A-level subjects. All pupils in the Sixth Form have private studies in school with internet access. There is a wide range of clubs, societies and cultural activities which enhance the academic programme leading to the successful step into tertiary education. In addition to academic achievements, the girls also excel in music and sport.

Location
The school is situated in the heart of the beautiful spa town of Harrogate  on the edge of a National Park in rural North Yorkshire. It has good rail and road links, with easy access to the local Leeds/Bradford Airport, and Manchester is only a 90-minute journey. Harrogate boasts a rich cultural programme, as do York and Leeds, each only 20 minutes away.

"Harrogate Ladies’ College combines the best aspects of a traditional British education with the skills, qualifications and modern outlook neededby today’s young women."