Join the GSA
The Girls’ Schools Association is the professional association for Heads and senior leaders of girls’ schools.
We exist to support, represent and champion girls’ schools – through evidence-led advocacy, leadership development and a powerful collective voice. We bring together Heads and senior leaders to influence policy, share expertise and to strengthen girls’ education.
Membership of the GSA connects Heads and senior leaders to a trusted network, to expertise focused solely on girls’ schools, and to excellent support, career and professional development programmes.
Welcome to the most wonderful, collaborative, life-changing, supportive association there is!
Marina Gardiner Legge, GSA Member
Select your membership type
UK Independent Girls’ School
Who is eligible?
Full membership is open to any individual who is the head of an independent UK or Channel Islands school which educates girls within a girls-only environment for all or part of the 4-18 age range and is prepared to run their school by the high standards our Code of Conduct requires. Your school must be fee-charging, in all or in part; your governing body must be a member of AGBIS; and you (the Head) must be a member of ASCL or NAHT.
Fees
The fee for full membership is dependent upon the type and size of your school.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Sue Hincks, Membership Director on 0116 254 1619 or email us at [email protected].
Annual subscriptions are invoiced at the start of each academic year and payable by BACS transfer.
Benefits
- Networking – a variety of opportunities to network with heads and others interested in educating girls
- Heads’ Conference – book your place at our annual heads’ conference to be inspired by excellent speakers and network with other members from the UK and further afield
- Publicity – your school will be listed in the Schools’ Directory on the GSA website with your own school page, school news and Twitter feed. You can also place items of genuine educational interest in the weekly GSA e-newsletter and submit vacancies for the GSA Jobs page on our website
- All Full members are automatically entitled to Emeritus membership upon retirement
- Regular e-mails & briefing papers – with information on education, regulation etc
- Membership certificate
- Summer Briefing – a mid-year must for in-depth information about key changes in the education landscape
- Staff opportunities – involve your staff in subject-specific or role-specific events
- Media advice – help with your media and communications challenges.
- Secretariat support – information, guidance and help from a dedicated secretariat
- Professional development – opportunities for heads and other members of your school team to meet and work collaboratively, sharing best practice and opportunities on a national, regional and special-interest basis
- Good practice guidance – information and advice to encourage best practice
- Appraisal resources – practical help for conducting and receiving appraisals
- Student opportunities – involve your students in inter-school GSA events, tournaments etc
- INSET and speaker inspiration – access to our list of GSA member-approved speakers and training providers
- Regional meetings – meet heads and other key players to discuss issues close to home
- Access to the GSA online member zone – information, advice and best practice
- Pastoral visits – GSA representatives make individual visits to understand & support you
- ISC membership – with induction and access to ISI, and NQT through ISTIP
- Mentoring – receive 1-2-1 mentoring
- Vote – at the GSA annual general meeting
- Use of GSA logo
UK State Girls’ School
Who is eligible?
Associate membership is open to any UK resident who has a significant interest in the education of girls and is not eligible for Full membership. For example, you may be the Head or senior leader of a UK school (state or independent, junior or senior), working in higher education, in charge of your organisation’s education liaison or recruitment programme, an education consultant, or anyone else with a legitimate interest in the education of girls.
Fees
The fee for Associate membership of the Girls’ Schools Association is £499 per annum.
The year runs September to August. Fees are subject to change, in which case prior notice will be given.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Sue Hincks, Membership Director on 0116 254 1619 or email us at [email protected].
Annual subscriptions are invoiced at the start of each academic year and payable by BACS transfer.
Benefits
- Networking – a variety of opportunities to network with heads and others interested in educating girls
- Heads’ Conference – book your place at our annual heads’ conference to be inspired by excellent speakers and network with other members from the UK and further afield
- Summer Briefing – a mid-year must for in-depth information about key changes in the education landscape; there is a fee for Associate members to attend
- Regular e-mails & briefing papers – with information on education, regulation etc
Membership certificate - Publicity – you can choose to be listed as an Associate Member on our website and can place up to two items, of genuine educational interest, per year in the weekly GSA e-newsletter.
- Staff opportunities – involve your staff in subject-specific or role-specific events
- Media advice – you can request advice to help with your media and communications challenges
- Secretariat support – you can ask for information and guidance from our dedicated secretariat
- Professional development – opportunities for heads and other members of your school team to meet and work collaboratively, sharing best practice and opportunities on a national, regional and special-interest basis. NB some events are only open to Full members
- Student opportunities – involve your students in inter-school GSA events, tournaments etc
- Regional meetings – meet heads and other key players to discuss issues close to home. NB some agenda items may be restricted to Full members
- Good practice guidance – information and advice to encourage best practice
- Appraisal resources – practical help for conducting and receiving appraisals
- INSET and speaker inspiration – access to our list of GSA member- approved speakers and training providers
- Access to the GSA online member zone information, advice and best practice
International School
Who is eligible?
There are two categories of International Membership:
- Accredited International Membership or
- Associate International Membership
Accredited International Members are the Headteachers of schools in which the majority of pupils (throughout the school or in a particular part of the school, eg from ages 11 to 16) are girls and which meet the standards which GSA expects of all its Full Members.
Associate International Members are the leaders of school groups in which some or all member schools are for girls, the Headteachers of co-educational schools abroad or other individuals with a legitimate interest in the education of girls.
To find out more about becoming an International Member, click the button below and contact Sue Hincks, Membership Director on 0116 254 1619 or [email protected].
Fees
The cost of Accredited International Membership is £499 per annum. In addition, the school must pay for the initial Accreditation process to take place. This process will either be through an in-person Accreditation visit, with the cost of the visit borne by the school, or through a virtual process, in which the cost will be related to the amount of time required for the Membership Team to complete the Accreditation process by reading documentation and speaking to relevant staff, pupils and stakeholders. Full details of the Accreditation costs will be calculated on receipt of the initial application which should include:
- Online application form filled in by or on behalf of the prospective Member (ie the Headteacher or Principal)
- Headteacher’s/ Principal’s CV & Biography
- Hi resolution photo of the Head/ Principal
- Summary of School’s Governance Structure and/or Ownership
- Curriculum/Subjects offered to students by year group
- BSO (or equivalent inspection report) if available*