The GDST was founded in 1872 to establish good, affordable day schools for girls. It currently educates 19,500 girls - 9% of those in the independent sector. There are 25 member schools providing all-through education for day girls of 3 or 4 through to 18. It has its own scholarships and bursaries scheme to encourage pupils from different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds (www.gdst.net).