A prestigious girls' school has announced it will close and merge with another school in a neighbouring borough.

Heathfield School for Girls, in Beaulieu Drive, Pinner, has announced it will be merging with Northwood College, in Hillingdon,

The schools say the move will create one of the leading independent girls’ school in North West London.

The merger is due to take place in September 2014 and will mean both schools will be part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, a network of independent girls schools across the country.

The school says all pupils at both schools will be offered a place once the merger is completed.

Jacqualyn Pain, the head of Northwood College, will become the headteacher of the merged school next year.

She said: “Every independent school head knows about the GDST and its excellent track record in girls’ education.

“I am proud that Northwood College will become part of the GDST and I’m very much looking forward to joining this network and giving our girls and staff the opportunity to share its knowledge and experience.

“There is much to admire and learn from our colleagues at Heathfield. Combining these with our many existing strengths will make a formidable combination.”

The girls school trust's chief executive Helen Fraser said: “This is a unique opportunity to build on the strengths and rich heritage of both Northwood College and Heathfield School for Girls to create a strong, well equipped and modern teaching and learning environment for the girls.”