JAGS: Where Holistic Education Comes to Life

Part One of my series on James Allen’s Girls’ School

I hope that when you read this, you get more than just the polished surface you’d find in a typical school guide or online search. As a teacher turned education consultant, I walk into schools attuned to the subtleties: the hum of a classroom between lessons, a quiet poster tucked in a stairwell, the easy rapport between staff and pupils. These are the details that quietly reveal a school’s true character.

At James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), those whispers feel warm. There’s purpose in the air. The girls are busy—but it’s not for show. It feels lived-in. Intentional.

Founded in 1741, JAGS is the oldest independent girls’ school in London—but nothing about it feels stuck in the past. The school is deeply rooted, yes, but its branches reach wide and high. Tradition here doesn’t constrain—it gives shape and strength to innovation.

This is what I mean by holistic. At JAGS, the whole child is truly seen. It’s not just about offering a broad curriculum—it’s about how everything connects. Emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development are given equal weight. A girl at JAGS arrives having already shown strong academic ability and a sharp mind—but she’s not expected to fit a mould. Instead, she’s given the platform to think deeply, act boldly, and discover who she’s becoming.

The curriculum is broad. French starts in Reception, Latin arrives by Year 6, and every classroom is equipped with iPads to support seamless learning. The music provision is exceptional—over 85% of Prep girls play an instrument. Art, drama, DT, computing, history, geography, RE, science, sport, PSHCE, and maths are all taught with real passion. Many lessons are supported by teaching assistants and gap students, adding an extra layer of care and flexibility.

Then there are the facilities. JAGS offers more than most schools can dream of: year-round swimming, climbing walls, and a serious sports programme. Art, DT, and French are taught in half-classes of 12, allowing girls to go deep rather than just broad. The 22-acre campus includes a 25m swimming pool, sports halls, tennis and badminton courts, music centres, theatres, science labs, landscaped grounds, and even a botany garden. And yes—the classrooms are being freshly refurbished, with new playground equipment to match.

The physical space matters—but it’s the atmosphere that stays with you. The pupils look confident, but not coached. Curious, but not restless. They look at home.

What really strikes me about JAGS is the staff. The Head of the Junior School is deeply involved with the girls—she knows every pupil’s name and makes sure they feel they belong. The team is handpicked for both skill and genuine care, so you can tell the girls are supported on every level. I also love how they mark the little victories, like Brilliant Break Friday—it’s a chance for pupils to come together in The Head of the Junior School’s office for a disco, brownies, juice, and laughter. It’s a small ritual, but it says everything: community matters. Joy matters. The staff truly care.

Unsurprisingly, JAGS was named London Independent School of the Year 2024 by The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide. But that accolade only confirms what any visiting teacher or parent might notice: this is a school where girls are stretched and supported—challenged in a way that feels exciting, not exhausting.

Co-curricular life here is rich and playful: Gardening, Skateboarding, Coding, Debating, Sewing—not just to fill time, but to spark joy and independence. The school asks: Why not? Why not let girls try, fail, and try again—without fear?

Wellbeing isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the school’s foundation. There’s a wellbeing practitioner on-site twice a week, and Rita, the miniature schnauzer therapy dog, pads calmly through the school one day a week, soothing the anxious and delighting the calm. More formally, the Be Brilliant Pastoral Programme equips girls with a tangible toolkit—centred on values like Be Inclusive, Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Resilient, Be Brave, and Be Authentic. This isn’t just a poster on the wall. It’s lived.

Take resilience, for example. JAGS offers a continuous journey from ages 4 to 18, with the expectation that girls will automatically progress from Junior to Senior. Assessments are meaningful, not performative. Mistakes are expected—and embraced as part of learning. There’s space to get things wrong and try again.

This year, the school is working towards the silver UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award, reinforcing a culture of mutual respect, voice, and agency. Girls aren’t just learning about rights—they’re experiencing what it means to be heard, trusted, and empowered.

For the right child, JAGS is a place to stretch out her arms and grow. This isn’t a school that polishes children for the next exam—it shapes thinkers, doers, and gentle disruptors—girls with backbone and heart.

This is not just a school. It’s a launchpad.