Unlocking the Potential

A message from the Head

As Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, celebrates 145 years of educating girls, we find ourselves at a significant moment - one that invites both reflection and bold intention. For nearly a century and a half, this school has been a place where young women shape their character, cultivate curiosity and step into the world with confidence and purpose. As we look ahead to our 150th anniversary in 2031, we ask not only who we have been, but who we are becoming.

Over the past two years, through listening carefully to pupils, staff, parents and alumnae, a clear vision has emerged. It is distilled into three simple but powerful pillars: Belong. Believe. Become. Underpinning them all is an unwavering commitment to Excellence.

We are committed to being a school where every girl knows she belongs: a school where she is seen, known and valued. A school where she develops deep self-belief, grounded in intellectual rigour, courageous thinking and compassionate teaching. A school where she becomes the young woman she hopes to be - confident, purposeful and inspired to dream fiercely. These pillars shape more than our culture; they shape our environment.

The spaces in which young people learn matter profoundly. Classrooms, shared spaces and facilities influence how pupils think, collaborate, reflect and grow. Environment can elevate aspiration.

This plan for our site grows directly from our vision, and I am delighted to have partnered with our chosen architect practice, Grimshaw, to bring that vision to life. The proposals shared here represent a thoughtful and purposeful evolution - building on our heritage, strengthening what we already do well, and ensuring that our physical environment reflects the ambition we hold for every girl. As we look to the future, we do so with deep gratitude for our past and confidence in what we can build together.

Thank you very much for your ongoing support.

Alexandra Haydon, Head

The New Library

The new library will create a warm, inviting, and functional learning space that supports reading for pleasure, academic research, and collaborative learning. It will prepare students for independent study, media, information, digital literacy, and deep thinking while providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - and an intellectual heart for the school.

There are two classrooms that are attached to the library. It is proposed that one of these is to be a media and digital classroom - providing a state-of-the-art media suite - and the other to be a more research skills-based classroom. To maximize adaptability and flexibility of the spaces, these are connected to the main library space with sliding, acoustically rated, glass screens - enabling an extension of the library as required.

The staircase connecting to the upper balcony level of the library extends into flexible bleacher seating - a place to read, and an opportunity to host small events, author talks or screenings.

If you would like to learn more about how you can become involved, please contact the Development Office via the button below.

A Green Living Heart of the School

This project will transform a concrete netball court and bare building walls into the green heart of the school: a living, planted courtyard that embeds nature at the centre of daily school life.

Through extensive horizontal and vertical planting, the space will strengthen students’ connection to the natural world, supporting a biophilic approach across the school. For the students and staff, the courtyard will provide daily contact with greenery, seasonal change and outdoor learning, creating a restorative environment that enhances wellbeing, fosters a deep sense of belonging, while helping young people develop greater ecological awareness and respect for the environment.

The courtyard should provide a visual oasis, offering a break from - and stark contrast to - the grey urban environment of the school, as well as providing soft, natural colours and finishes to a structurally raw and angular space.

If you would like to learn more about how you can become involved, please contact the Development Office via the button below.