Painted Lady was formed at a south London high school in 1977 by Di Williams and Kim McAuliffe and changed names upon induction of Johnson and Dufort. Enid Williams and Kim McAuliffe actually lived on the same street in their teenage years.

The band's first release was Take It All Away on Phil Scott’s City Records. They toured in support of Motörhead for the Overkill tour (Girlschool was now managed by Motörhead's manager Doug Smith) and used the friendship and connection to sign to Bronze Records. The group’s debut, entitled Demolition, was produced by Vic Maile who had worked with Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac in the past. The band's first breakthrough came when they recorded the St. Valentines Day Massacre EP with Motörhead.

In 1982, at a show opened by Mercyful Fate, Kim McAuliffe was electrocuted on stage. King Diamond was quick to claim responsibility for summoning the appropriate spirits! Enid Williams left the band in 1982 and went on to study opera and perform on stage in theatres.

Johnson left in 1984. Australian girl Bonnacci (who would later perform live with Samantha Fox!) and Jackie Bodimead replaced her. For the third album Weston replaced Williams. Bodimead left in 1985 and McAuliffe became the singer for the second time in the band's career.

Further Motörhead connections occurred when the band signed with GWR the house-label of Motörhead's manager. Weston left in 1988 and was replaced by Lamb.

Girlschool toured everywhere and sold out most venues in England. The band broke up in 1988 but returned two years later again with Lamb. The band appeared at the Wacken Festival in 1999. However, 2000 brought with it a name from the past as 'Enid' rejoined the group after an absence of eighteen years. Jackie Chambers was also introduced to the group. Unfortunately, Kelly Johnson left Girlschool nearly at the same time. A new studio album was planned for early 2001. Not That Innocent was issued in 2002. Communique Records issued a split CD with Oliver/Dawson Saxon and Tygers Of Pan Tang in 2003 called Second Wave. Original guitarist Kelly Johnson died due to the cancer of the spine on July 15th, 2007. The group was forced to cancel its US tour in autumn of 2007 after failing to get a visa for that country. As a result of the members’ passports being holed up at the US Embassy the group missed the opportunity to tour Germany as well.

Dufort is the sister of Angelwitch's Dave Dufort. Girlschool has played as far afield as India and has constantly sought success playing other bands' music as cover versions.