Refining What Makes St George’s Unique
In recent months, our Senior Leadership Team, Council and Marketing team have been revisiting what makes St George’s truly unique.
Our aim has been to distill the themes that define the St George’s experience - what makes our community, environment and student experience so compelling - and express these with clarity, consistency and confidence.
The independent school market has become increasingly competitive as government changes impact the sector. Edinburgh has a particularly high concentration of independent schools, yet St George’s holds a unique position as the city’s only all-girls school. With growing awareness of the pressures facing young people - especially girls - through social media and societal expectations, our mission feels more relevant than ever: to help girls develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self. Our aim is to boldly amplify our proven expertise.
Listening and learning
This process began with research, and we sincerely thank all parents who took part in focus groups, interviews and the survey. Your insight was invaluable and affirmed what families value most about a St George’s education.
From this work, three core themes emerged:
Diverse Opportunity - “Every girl. Every opportunity. Every dream.”
Our learning goes everywhere students want to take it. From science lab to sports field, we adapt to every girl's interests and ambitions creating opportunities to discover, participate and achieve.
Evidenced by:
• Individualised ‘Best of British’ curriculum
• Inclusive co-curricular opportunities (creative, active, performance and team-based)
• Broad range of trips, exchanges and adventures
• International outlook and associated awards
High Ambition - “High standards, endless possibilities.”
Whether she dreams of leading a company, curing diseases or create or chase dreams we haven’t even thought of yet, we give her everything she needs to get there.
Evidenced by:
• Outstanding academic results and achievements
• Diverse variety of destinations and career pathways
• Opportunities to participate, perform and lead (incl. CCF, theatre and music)
• Successful and inspiring alumnae
Nurturing Hearts and Minds - “Known by name and by nature.”
An all-through school with a village feel, where genuine bonds form between teachers, families and students so that every girl is known, understood, and free to be herself. From Nursery to Sixth Form, she learns in a community that truly sees her.
Evidenced by:
• Intimate class sizes
• Strong commitment to girls’ wellbeing
• Focus on meta-skills and personal growth
• Exceptional learning support
• Inclusive community
Together, these themes reflect what defines St George’s: an empowering all-girls education that nurtures confident, independent young women ready to step boldly into their future.
Rooted in a pioneering legacy
Our founding principles, established over 130 years ago, remain as relevant today as ever. St George’s was built by brave Victorian Women on the belief that girls deserve a full and equal education. They knew that an environment free from bias and stereotypes would encourage girls to develop their talents and passions with courage and conviction.
Today, our purpose is clear: to create a learning experience where girls are fearless and free. Everything we do enables our girls to explore their interests, try new things, challenge perceptions and discover what truly inspires them - without judgment or limitation.
Championing gender equality
We are proud to play an active role in tackling gender disparity, especially in fields such as STEM and Sport. By inspiring the next generation of female scientists, technologists and innovators, our girls are poised to make a positive impact on society, the economy and industry.
Events such as Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week and Fearless Women in Computing - Scotland’s flagship event attracting over 600 girls from across Edinburgh - highlight the importance of encouraging girls to see themselves in every sphere, especially those where female representation remains low.
Championing this, in all that we do - and extending our mission beyond our own school gates - is not just a passion. It is a vital role of our brand.
Looking ahead
You may already have noticed our refreshed Open Day campaign. This updated messaging will continue to shape our marketing and communications, reflecting who we are and what we stand for.
We look forward to keeping our community updated as we continue to champion the power of fearless, free and forward-thinking girls at St George’s.
