To celebrate Queen’s Gates 135th birthday, we’ve been looking back at our School’s long and vibrant history educating young girls in the heart of London. Though a lot has changed since our doors first opened in 1891, much of the Queen’s Gate spirit lives on in the traditions and values upheld by our girls today.
Our History
Where it all began…
1891
Queen’s Gate’s story began in a family home in South Kensington. In 1891, Miss Eleanor Beatrice Wyatt (pictured below, left) founded the school in her parents’ house in Stanhope Gardens. At a time when girls’ educational opportunities were still restricted, establishing a school was a practical contribution to a much larger movement, expanding the opportunities for girls to learn, achieve, and contribute to the world around them. The following year, the School moved to 132 Queen’s Gate.
1895
As the school grew in size and popularity, Miss Wyatt later expanded into the adjacent houses at 131 and 133, where the senior school remains to this day. This expansion accommodated the growing demand for boarding places to complement the busy day schoolers.
Today, Queen’s Gate is unusual for its lack of uniform, but before 1900, this was the standard for girl’s education.
1899
In 1899, the remarkable Annabel Douglas, or ‘Dougie’ as she was known took over as the school’s second headmistress. Born and educated in the United States, Annabel Douglas welcomed pupils from across the Atlantic, helping establish the school’s international character, which is strongly maintained today.
1902
In 1902, Douglas founded the Queen’s Gate Debating Society, giving girls opportunities to develop their arguments and make their voices heard. She is quoted saying “The good talkers are people with real thoughts and good, warm words to clothe them in” The following year, the school’s first pupil was accepted to Newnham College, Cambridge.
The oratory tradition for Queen’s Gate girls continues. The QG Debating Club take part in Model United Nations conferences.
Pictured in October 2026, QG Debating Club participated in Model United Nations at Alleyn’s School.
Sports and other improving extra-curricular activities have long been a fixture in the Queen’s Gate culture. Girls were empowered to apply themselves to a broad range of enrichment activities from drama to fencing.
Queen’s Gate girls fencing in 1905
1939
Anticipating the onset of the Second World War, Headmistress Hilda Spalding (affectionately known as ‘Spee’), arranged for the school to be vacated and temporarily housed in the grounds of Downe House School at Cold Ash near Newbury. Meanwhile, back in South Kensington, 131 and 132 were taken over by the London Auxiliary Fire Brigade.
1945
In July of 1945, Spee announced the school’s triumphant return to Queen’s Gate and the start of the new school year in London that coming September. What followed was a Summer spent getting the school back into shape and rebuilding after the bomb damage caused to 133 over the course of the war.
V Form posed on the school steps in July 1946, the portico showing damage from the war
1955
Spee’s successor, Mrs Ann Johnston reshaped the academic trajectory of the school in 1955 when she introduced A-Level examinations. Moving into the 1960s under the watchful eye of the new head Mrs Margaret See, students more and more opportunities were created for Queen’s Gate girls to pursue A-Level and Common entrance Exams in a broad range of subjects from Italian, Latin, Art and History to Chemistry, Biology and Economics.
1971
The boarding houses closed in the 1970s to make way for the specialist classrooms and science labs introduced to the building. Queen’s Gate continues to nurture the scientific minds of tomorrow in our classrooms and clubs, raising a dedicated and enthusiastic new generation of ‘Stemettes’!
1991
35 years ago, Queen’s Gate marked its centenary with a special a special service at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster Abbey. This was followed by the Centenary Ball at the Natural History Museum, just a few minutes walk from the now historic school.
Queen’s Gate Girls have always been known to enjoy a festive occasion and this special birthday year for the school will no doubt provide more occasion to celebrate!
VIth form girls ready for the dance in aid of the Appeal, 1960
2005
Queen’s Gate’s character, facilities and global community are ever growing and evolving. In 2005, the school acquired 125 and 126, developing a separate Junior school and a dedicated sixth form center.
2016
Queen’s Gate’s future often looks to its past. In 2016, old girl Queen Camilla paid us a visit to open the new science labs, revisiting her old school and inaugurating the resources for bv her successors.
