Queen's College London

What Queen's College London does

Queen's College London is an independent, fee-paying girls' school and registered charity (number 312726) operating from a single central London campus at 43-49 Harley Street, W1G 8BT. Founded in 1848 as the first British educational establishment to award academic qualifications to women, the school serves approximately 400-600 pupils across two segments: the Junior College (Years 7-11, ages 11-16, entering via 11+ London 11+ Consortium assessment) and the Sixth Form (Years 12-13, ages 16-18, entering via 16+ interview and GCSE thresholds). It offers 21 A-Level subjects, a comprehensive pastoral programme branded 'Thrive', and a futures and innovation curriculum delivered through third-party platforms Unifrog, Morrisby and MyUniChoices. The school's revenue mechanics combine tuition fees (not publicly disclosed), philanthropic donations via the Development Office, and bursary-supported widening access (target: 10% of pupils on full bursaries).

Underlying technology is built on a layered SaaS stack rather than proprietary systems: SchoolBase and Firefly provide the parent/student information and learning portals; Unifrog and Morrisby handle careers guidance; Atom Learning is used for entrance exams; and Yondr phone pouches operationalise the Queen's Off Screens initiative. Student information management is augmented by Google Analytics and embedded media (Vimeo, YouTube). Recent product launches have meaningfully expanded the offering: Future Frontiers (an EDUQUAL-endorsed interdisciplinary qualification launching September 2026 spanning Neuroscience, Psychology, History of Art and Economics), the Thrive Centre (a 1,100 sq ft neurodiversity facility opened January 2024), the OQ Connect alumnae platform (2024), and a Sixth Form boarding offer launching September 2027 in partnership with DLD College London. Distribution is direct via the admissions office, with selective entrance, open events, and a feeder pipeline anchored by the London 11+ Consortium and the school's own preparatory school.

Name

Queen's College London

Legal name

Queen's College, London

Website

https://qcl.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1848

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Queen's College London is an independent fee-paying girls' school and registered charity in central London, founded in 1848, serving pupils aged 11-18 through Junior College and Sixth Form programmes with strong university destination outcomes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

Keywords

• Independent girls school
• Secondary education
• Sixth form
• A-level programmes
• Pastoral care

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Queen's College London is a fee-paying independent girls' school that delivers secondary and sixth-form education from its Harley Street campus, admitting pupils at 11+ into the Junior College (Years 7-11) and at 16+ into the Sixth Form (Years 12-13) for A-level study. The school offers 21 A-level subjects alongside the Thrive pastoral and wellbeing programme, a Futures & Innovation careers programme, the new Future Frontiers interdisciplinary qualification (from September 2026), and Sixth Form Boarding in partnership with DLD College London (from September 2027).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thrive Programme: A mental health and wellbeing initiative that has been shortlisted for TES Awards four years running, encompassing PSHE curriculum, Peer Mentors, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, and the Queen's Off Screens initiative.
• Future Frontiers
• Queen's Diploma

Products and services

• Junior College (11+ Entry Programme) Three-year academic programme for girls entering at age 11 (Class 3/Year 7) through the London 11+ Consortium entrance exam, interview and school reference, covering Years 7-11 and culminating in GCSEs.
• Sixth Form (16+ Entry Programme) Two-year A-level programme for girls entering Sixth Form at age 16, with interview, reference and minimum GCSE grade requirements, offering 21 A-level subjects plus the EPQ, Futures & Innovation and co-curricular programme.
• Sixth Form Boarding Boarding provision launching September 2027 in partnership with DLD College London, offering approximately 12 en-suite single study bedrooms at DLD's Waterloo residence with a full-time resident houseparent and UK visa sponsorship rights for international students.
• Future Frontiers Interdisciplinary Qualification Pioneering interdisciplinary qualification launching September 2026, developed by Director of Futures and Innovation Natasha Fenwick and endorsed by EDUQUAL, drawing on Neuroscience, Psychology, History of Art and Economics, with assessment via academic posters and TED-style presentations; part of the Queen's Diploma.
• Thrive Pastoral Programme Mental health and wellbeing initiative shortlisted for TES Awards four years running, encompassing the PSHE curriculum, Peer Mentors, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, the Resolve programme, Queen's Off Screens Yondr initiative and Thrive Themed Weeks; 88% of parents surveyed report improved daughter wellbeing.
• Futures & Innovation Programme Comprehensive careers and innovation programme spanning Years 7-13 covering career education, university guidance, weekly work experience, volunteering and innovation initiatives, integrating with Unifrog and Morrisby careers testing and aligned to the CDI framework; backed by the Quality in Careers Standard accreditation.
• Neurodiversity and Adapted Learning Support Support service for students with dyslexia, autism and ADHD including individual support in spelling, writing skills, maths, GCSE English, executive function skills, study skills and emotional regulation, anchored in the Thrive Centre opened January 2024.
• OQ Connect (Alumnae Platform) Online alumnae community platform launched in 2024 enabling Old Queens to reconnect, access careers advice and mentoring, and stay updated with College events and Queen's Today magazine.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of UK applicants secured places at Russell Group universities (2025 cohort)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DLD College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2027Queenan's College London has partnered with DLD College London to introduce Sixth Form boarding from September 2027. Boarders will live at DLD's award-winning residence in Waterloo, with approximately 12 en-suite single study bedrooms in a dedicated Queen's College 'flat'. DLD was recently named Boarding School of the Year.
• Southwark Schools Learning PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueenan's College London is a proud member of the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership (SSLP), which brings together 16 state and independent schools providing enrichment opportunities for all pupils and further support for teachers. QCL regularly hosts events including Stockmarket Challenge and participates in the 'Thinking About' lecture series.
• Sarah Bonnell SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sarah Bonnell School, an all-girls comprehensive school in East London. QCL has welcomed several fully-funded 100% bursary pupils from Sarah Bonnell into Sixth Form, and hosts workshops and masterclasses throughout the year. Principal Richard Tillett is a governor at Sarah Bonnell School.
• Girls Human Rights HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCL works closely with the Girls Human Rights Hub, founded by Sultana Tafadar KC. The Hub advances and protects the rights of girls worldwide through advocacy, education and public engagement. QCL has signed the Hub's Global Pledge and students participate in Young Lawyers' Symposium, GHRH Awards Dinner, and weekly meetings.
• The Diana AwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCL's anti-bullying leadership has been recognised externally by The Diana Award. The school has hosted Anti-Bullying Ambassador training for around 100 other schools and was awarded their Well-being Badge.
• Tooled Up EducationminorOthersTooled Up is a research-based website providing guidance on PSHE topics complementary to QCL's in-school provision. Used as a resource for parents.
• UnifrogcoreTechnology or IntegrationAll students have access to Unifrog career guidance platform from Year 7, providing expert and detailed advice for careers and higher education. Futures & Innovation lessons follow the CDI framework using Unifrog.
• St Vincent's Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal state school partnership where QCL Sixth Formers volunteer every Wednesday afternoon. Pupils from St Vincent's also regularly visit QCL for masterclasses, Primary Maths Challenge and other special events.
• Artificial Intelligence Education Oxford University (AIEOU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCL is part of the AIEOU research hub, staying ahead of developments in AI education.
• AI Edify PanelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCL is part of the AI Edify panel, a collective of teachers across the UK invested in understanding how AI may be implemented in educational settings.
• Young EnterpriseminorOthersYear 12 students have the opportunity to participate in Young Enterprise programme alongside work experience.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Badminton School: Independent girls' boarding and day school with academic and pastoral depth comparable to QCL, particularly relevant as a benchmark for the boarding extension.
• Wimbledon High School: London-based independent girls' school (part of the GDST network) with similar 11-18 age range, comparable academic outcomes, and a comparable co-curricular portfolio.
• St Paul's Girls' School: London-based independent day school for girls, similarly sized and similarly high-achieving on academic outcomes. Competes directly with QCL for 11+ and 16+ entrants in London.
• Francis Holland School: Central London independent girls' day school competing in the same 11+ market and with a comparable academic and pastoral offering.
• North London Collegiate School: Elite independent girls' school with a parallel emphasis on academic outcomes, pastoral care, and university destinations. Closely comparable in scale and offering breadth to QCL.
• City of London School for Girls: Central London independent girls' school comparable in geography and demographics, with a similar academic and co-curricular offering structure.
• Cheltenham Ladies' College: One of the UK's leading independent girls' boarding schools with a parallel mix of academic rigour, pastoral care, and co-curricular breadth. A close model comparator for QCL's product shape.
• Downe House School: Elite UK girls' boarding school with comparable academic outcomes and pastoral infrastructure. Relevant peer for QCL's boarding expansion thesis.
• James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS): London independent girls' day school, similar age range (11-18), similar academic and co-curricular profile, and direct competitor in the London 11+ and 16+ market.

Broad incumbents

• Wycombe Abbey: One of the UK's pre-eminent girls' boarding schools with elite university outcomes, providing an upper-bound benchmark for both pricing and academic reputation relevant to QCL's ambitions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubesoundcloud.com/queenscollegew1
• Xx.com/QueensCollegeW1

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queen's College London