JAGS can claim to be the oldest independent girls’ school in London. It was founded in 1741 by James Allen, the Warden and later Master of the College of God’s Gift, who wished to provide a sound education for local boys and girls. He opened his Reading School in rooms in the local tavern to ‘teach the boys to read and the girls to read and sew’. In 1737 he had bought six new houses in Kensington to provide income for his planned school and eventually left them to his school in his Will. The last of these was sold in 1997 to establish the fund which finances our own Assisted Places. He also sought gifts from his friends to pay the salaries of the two schoolmistresses.

Over the past centuries, James Allen’s school has grown in size and capacity but remains true to his vision of a school educating all pupils who would benefit from good tuition. For much of the 20th century, JAGS was very similar to a grammar school in its teaching and academic standards. During this time we welcomed a large proportion of pupils on Local Authority scholarships, and later became an enthusiastic participant in the Government Assisted Places scheme.

JAGS is now established as one of the leading schools in the country, offering our own James Allen’s Assisted Places to ensure broad access for talented girls from all backgrounds.