What Ascham School does

Ascham School is an independent, not-for-profit day and boarding school for girls, located on a single 5-hectare campus in Edgecliff, Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, approximately 3km from the CBD. The school delivers education from Prep (age 4) to Year 12 and operates as a company limited by guarantee with a Council of Governors providing governance oversight. Ascham serves day students from Sydney and over 120 boarders from country NSW, other Australian states and overseas, organised across three sub-schools: Hillingdon (Prep-Year 2), Fiona (Years 3-6) and Senior School (Years 7-12). Senior School class sizes run 16-22 students, with comprehensive co-curricular offerings of 18+ sports, 75+ music ensembles and a Residential Boarding Programme available to day girls in Years 9-10.

The school's core instructional technology is the Dalton Plan, a teaching and learning framework introduced to Ascham in 1922 by Margaret Bailey and structured around three pillars (Assignment, Lesson, Study) and four principles (Independence, Collaboration, Responsibility, Reflection). Ascham is the only school in Australia using this framework. Layered on top is the Vi et Animo wellbeing framework, a bespoke model grounded in Martin Seligman's PERMA framework and Lea Waters' Visible Wellbeing, organised around four domains (heart, soul, strength, courage). Supporting infrastructure includes Canvas as the Learning Management System, a Bring Your Own Device programme for Years 5-12, a range of virtual campus tours, and CRICOS registration (provider number 00380E) for international student recruitment requiring AEAS test results.

Revenue is generated primarily through term-based tuition fees, billed in advance of each school term and varying by Year level, with separate recurring boarding fees. Enrolment operates on a long-cycle basis, with applications submitted approximately three years prior to entry, mandatory school tours, interviews with the Head of School, and prioritisation of Old Girl families and current families. Fees are not publicly disclosed, but the school supplements income with means-tested Academic, All-Round Excellence, Music, Boarding, Ngara (First Nations) and Vi et Animo scholarships, alongside Boarding Assistance Bursaries for country NSW families. Distribution is exclusively through the single Edgecliff campus, with regional demand captured via Boarding Expos across NSW centres including Dubbo, Tamworth, Narrabri, Wagga Wagga, Scone, Yass and Moree.

Name

Ascham School

Legal name

Ascham School

Website

https://ascham.nsw.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ascham School is a not-for-profit, single-campus independent girls' day and boarding school in Edgecliff, Sydney, serving students from Prep to Year 12. It is the only Australian school using the Dalton Plan teaching framework, with over 120 boarders drawn primarily from country NSW.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Girls' School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Girls independent school
• Private school education
• Boarding school services
• Dalton Plan teaching
• Primary secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Edgecliff

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Ascham generates revenue primarily through tuition fees which vary by Year level and are reviewed annually. Fees are billed in advance of each school term, and families with accepted places are asked to pay Term 1 fees six months prior to entry.
2. Boarding Fees: Revenue from boarding students from Years 7-12, with the majority from country NSW and some from Sydney suburbs, interstate and overseas. The school cares for over 120 boarders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ascham School is an independent, not-for-profit girls' school delivering education from Prep to Year 12 on a single 5-hectare campus in Edgecliff, Sydney. Its core offering is built on the Dalton Plan—a unique teaching framework based on Assignment, Lesson, and Study pillars—combined with a Vi et Animo wellbeing framework. The school sells tuition-based day education across three divisions (Hillingdon Prep-Year 2, Fiona Years 3-6, Senior School Years 7-12) and a residential boarding program serving over 120 students.

Product overview

Ascham School is a single-campus independent girls' school in Sydney offering education from Prep (age 4) to Year 12, with boarding available from Years 7-12. The school operates as a unified educational institution centered around its unique Dalton Plan teaching framework—the only school in Australia using this approach. The core educational programs include Hillingdon (Prep-Year 2), Fiona (Years 3-6), and Senior School (Years 7-12), each progressively implementing Dalton principles. Supporting programs include the Vi et Animo Wellbeing Framework, STEAM and Music programs, Sports (18+ sports), Boarding (4 houses, 120+ boarders), After School Care, and a means-tested scholarship program. The school also offers virtual campus tours and international exchange programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hillingdon (Prep to Year 2) Early years education program for girls from Prep (turning 4 by 31 March) to Year 2, with small class sizes and specialist teaching in STEAM, Music, PDHPE, Visual Arts, French, Library and Learning Enhancement. Activity-based learning introduces foundational Dalton Plan principles through play and structured activities.
• Fiona (Years 3 to 6) Junior school program for girls in Years 3-6 with formative academic learning, expanded Dalton Plan implementation including the Diary system from Year 3 and Dalton Study from Year 5. Girls learn French and Mandarin from Year 3 and develop critical thinking skills.
• Senior School (Years 7 to 12) Senior school program for girls in Years 7-12 where the Dalton Plan comes into full effect. Students manage their own timetables through Lessons, Studies and Assignments, with class sizes of 16-22 students. Includes HSC preparation, SAT and Oxbridge support, and US/UK/European university application guidance.
• Boarding at Ascham

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of 2024 Year 12 students were offered entry into Universities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Sydney FCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Landmark partnership with professional soccer club Sydney FC announced in February 2026. The partnership focuses on kicking goals and developing sporting opportunities for Ascham students.
• Guide Dogs NSW/ACTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllysia Heness-Pugh (Head of Boarding) established the first boarding school partnership with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to raise a guide dog puppy in an educational institution, supporting service learning.
• World VisionminorOthersHillingdon students sponsor a World Vision child as part of community service and charitable giving programs.
• International Girls' SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent Exchange Program with leading girls' schools in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, South Africa and Argentina. Selected Year 10 students exchange for approximately 4-8 weeks.
• Barnardos AustraliaminorOthersHillingdon girls collect presents and tinned food for Barnardos Australia each year during Easter and Christmas charitable initiatives.
• SchoolAid KidsGiveminorOthersFiona girls serve as ambassadors for SchoolAid's KidsGive, Australia's first crowdfunding platform for young people, inspiring girls to make tangible differences to others' lives.
• Local Boys' SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnder the banner of Ascham Integrate, the school runs co-educational experiences with local boys' schools spanning creative arts, mental health advocacy, leadership development and service learning.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pymble Ladies' College: Pymble Ladies' College is a large independent girls' school on Sydney's upper north shore with extensive boarding. Comparable to Ascham in elite girls' education, university preparation focus (Oxbridge/US pathways), and boarding scale.
• Loreto Kirribilli: Loreto Kirribilli is a Catholic independent girls' school in Sydney's lower north shore offering day and boarding. Comparable to Ascham in single-sex girls' education, HSC preparation focus, and boarding for country/interstate students.
• St Catherine's School, Waverley: St Catherine's is an Anglican independent girls' school in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs with day and boarding from Prep to Year 12. Comparable to Ascham in premium Sydney girls' education, HSC outcomes, and co-curricular breadth.
• Wenona School: Wenona is an independent girls' school in Sydney's lower north shore offering day and boarding from Prep to Year 12. Comparable to Ascham in non-selective, single-sex girls' education targeting affluent Sydney families.
• Kambala: Kambala is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs (Rose Bay) with day and boarding programs from Prep to Year 12. Comparable to Ascham in scale, premium positioning, and co-curricular breadth including sport, music, and wellbeing.
• SCEGGS Darlinghurst: SCEGGS is an elite independent girls' school in Sydney's eastern suburbs (Darlinghurst), offering day and boarding from Prep to Year 12 with a similar academic profile and target demographic to Ascham. It competes directly for the same affluent Sydney and regional NSW families.
• Abbotsleigh: Abbotsleigh is an Uniting Church independent girls' school in Wahroonga, Sydney, with day and boarding from Prep to Year 12. Comparable to Ascham in elite girls' education, HSC outcomes, and breadth of co-curricular programs.
• Kincoppal-Rose Bay: Kincoppal-Rose Bay is a Catholic independent girls' school in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs offering day and boarding from Prep to Year 12. Comparable to Ascham in size, Eastern Suburbs location, and boarding-led regional NSW recruitment.
• Meriden School: Meriden is an independent girls' school in Sydney's Inner West with day and boarding programs. Comparable to Ascham as a non-selective, non-religious-affiliated (in Ascham's case) girls' school competing for similar Sydney/regional family segments.

Broad incumbents

• The Scots College: The Scots College is a leading boys' independent school in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs (Bellevue Hill) with extensive boarding. Comparable to Ascham in premium positioning, single-sex education, Eastern Suburbs location, and HSC results, though serving the boys' segment rather than directly competing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/AschamSchoolSydney
• Facebookfacebook.com/AschamSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ascham-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/aschamschool/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Ascham School