Lady Eleanor Holles School (often known as LEH) and Tiffin Girls’ School are two of the most academically successful girls’ schools in south-west London. Both regularly achieve excellent GCSE and A-level results and send pupils to top universities. However, they differ significantly in terms of admissions, funding, school culture and opportunities.

Official school websites
https://www.lehs.org.uk/
https://www.tiffingirls.org/

Admissions and entry

One of the biggest differences between the two schools is how pupils gain entry.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is an independent girls’ day school. Pupils normally enter at age 11 through an entrance examination, interviews and references from their current school. Because it is independent, families must pay school fees.

Tiffin Girls’ School is a selective state grammar school. Entry to Year 7 is based on performance in a highly competitive 11+ examination. As a state school it does not charge tuition fees, but places are extremely competitive because of its strong academic reputation.

Academic results

Both schools achieve excellent academic outcomes.

Tiffin Girls’ School is widely regarded as one of the top performing state schools in the UK. Around 94% of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range and over 90% of A-levels are graded A* to B in some recent results. (Exam Papers Plus)

Lady Eleanor Holles School also performs extremely well academically. In London league tables, it regularly ranks among the top independent schools for A-level results, with a very high proportion of top grades. (London Pre-Prep)

Both schools send pupils to Russell Group universities each year, with some students going on to Oxford and Cambridge.

School environment

The atmosphere and style of education can feel quite different.

Lady Eleanor Holles School focuses strongly on a broad independent school education. Alongside academic work, the school emphasises sport, music, drama, debating and leadership opportunities. Independent school funding allows extensive trips, enrichment programmes and extracurricular activities.

Tiffin Girls’ School has the character of a traditional grammar school. The environment is highly academic and pupils are generally very focused on their studies. There are clubs and societies, but the school is particularly known for its academic intensity.

Facilities and opportunities

Facilities often reflect the difference between independent and state funding.

Lady Eleanor Holles School benefits from independent school resources and offers extensive facilities including sports grounds, modern teaching buildings and performance spaces.

Tiffin Girls’ School provides good facilities for teaching and extracurricular activities, but as a state school it operates within public funding limits.

Cost

Cost is one of the clearest differences.

Lady Eleanor Holles School charges substantial tuition fees each term, which support its facilities and broad programme of activities.

Tiffin Girls’ School is free to attend because it is part of the state education system.

Location

The two schools are located only a few miles apart in south-west London.

Lady Eleanor Holles School is located in Hampton near the River Thames and close to Hampton Court Palace.

Tiffin Girls’ School is located in Kingston upon Thames, making it easily accessible from many parts of Surrey and south-west London.

Overall

Lady Eleanor Holles School and Tiffin Girls’ School are both outstanding schools with excellent academic records.

Lady Eleanor Holles School offers the advantages of an independent education with extensive facilities and a wide co-curricular programme.

Tiffin Girls’ School offers an academically exceptional state education without tuition fees, although entry is extremely competitive.

For many families the choice comes down to whether they prefer the independent school experience or the selective grammar school route, as both schools provide strong preparation for university and future careers.

If you want, I can also write comparisons for other nearby schools (for example LEH vs Surbiton High, LEH vs Putney High, or Tiffin Girls vs Nonsuch) which could work well as a series of articles on a school comparison site.