Comparing Lady Eleanor Holles School and Notre Dame School Cobham

Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) and Notre Dame School in Cobham are two well-known independent girls’ schools in south-west London and Surrey. Both offer strong academic programmes and a wide range of opportunities outside the classroom, but they differ in their academic focus, school culture and overall educational approach.

Official school websites
https://www.lehs.org.uk/
https://www.notredame.co.uk/

Admissions and entry

Both schools are independent and charge tuition fees, with pupils usually entering through entrance assessments and interviews.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is a highly selective independent girls’ day school located in Hampton. Entry typically takes place at 11+ and sixth form, and the admissions process focuses strongly on academic potential.

Notre Dame School is an independent Catholic girls’ day school in Cobham for pupils aged 2–18, although families of all faiths are welcome. The school offers entry at a range of stages including Year 7 and sixth form.

Academic results

Both schools achieve strong academic outcomes, although LEH is often regarded as one of the most academically selective girls’ schools in the region.

At Notre Dame School, a good proportion of GCSE grades are in the 9–7 range and many A-level grades fall between A* and B.

Lady Eleanor Holles School generally achieves higher proportions of top grades and regularly appears near the top of independent school league tables for girls’ schools.

Students from both schools progress to universities across the UK, including Russell Group institutions.

School environment

The atmosphere of the two schools can feel quite different.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is known for a highly academic environment that encourages ambition and intellectual challenge. Many pupils aim for competitive universities and courses, and the school places strong emphasis on academic excellence.

Notre Dame School emphasises a more personalised and nurturing approach. The school aims to provide a holistic education focused on confidence, kindness and personal development alongside academic learning.

Facilities and extracurricular life

Both schools offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.

Lady Eleanor Holles School has extensive sports facilities by the River Thames and works closely with nearby Hampton School on some activities such as drama and music events.

Notre Dame School is set in a large campus in Cobham with green space, sports facilities and outdoor learning opportunities.

Both schools offer clubs, music, drama and sport alongside academic study.

Size and school structure

The schools differ in size and structure.

Notre Dame School is smaller, with pupils across both prep and senior school.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is generally larger at senior level and has a sizeable sixth form.

The smaller size of Notre Dame can create a more close-knit environment, while LEH may feel more academically competitive due to its selective intake.

Location

The two schools are located a short distance apart in Surrey and south-west London.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is located in Hampton near the River Thames.

Notre Dame School is located in Cobham in Surrey, about 10 miles away in a more rural setting.

Overall

Lady Eleanor Holles School and Notre Dame School Cobham are both respected independent girls’ schools with strong academic results and supportive learning environments.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is often chosen by families looking for a highly academic girls’ school with very strong exam results and competitive university destinations.

Notre Dame School tends to appeal to families looking for a smaller girls’ school with a nurturing atmosphere, strong pastoral care and a balanced approach to education.

For many families in Surrey and south-west London, the choice often comes down to whether they prefer the highly academic environment associated with LEH or the more personalised and community-focused environment offered by Notre Dame School.