Educational Choices

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  • How Do Entrance Requirements Compare at St Paul’s Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School?

    St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith and North London Collegiate School in Edgware are both highly selective independent girls’ schools. Each attracts large numbers of applicants and uses a competitive admissions process designed to identify academically strong pupils who will thrive in a demanding environment. While both schools select primarily on academic ability, their entrance processes are structured slightly differently.

    Main entry points

    Both schools admit pupils mainly at 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Sixth Form).

    At St Paul’s Girls’ School the principal entry points are 11+ and 16+, although there are also some junior school entry points at younger ages.

    North London Collegiate School similarly admits most pupils at 11+, with additional entry into the Sixth Form at 16+.

    Entrance exams at 11+

    The 11+ assessment process is academically demanding at both schools, but the structure differs slightly.

    At St Paul’s Girls’ School, the process typically begins with an online cognitive ability test that assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematical thinking. Successful candidates are then invited to sit further written examinations, usually including English comprehension and mathematics papers.

    At North London Collegiate School, applicants sit written entrance examinations in English and mathematics. These papers test reading comprehension, creative writing, problem solving and numeracy skills at roughly Year 6 level.

    The key difference is that St Paul’s uses a two-stage testing process beginning with an online reasoning assessment, while North London Collegiate relies primarily on traditional written papers in English and mathematics.

    Interviews

    Both schools include interviews as an important part of the selection process.

    At St Paul’s Girls’ School, shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview where staff explore the pupil’s interests, academic curiosity and suitability for the school community.

    North London Collegiate School also invites successful candidates from the written exam stage for interviews. These discussions help staff assess personality, enthusiasm for learning and communication skills.

    The interview stage is important because both schools look for pupils who show intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in learning rather than simply strong examination performance.

    Competition for places

    Both schools are extremely competitive.

    North London Collegiate School admits roughly seventy pupils at 11+, but receives many more applications each year.

    St Paul’s Girls’ School also receives a very large number of applications annually, which allows the school to select from a highly academically able group of candidates.

    As a result, entrance examinations at both schools are regarded as among the most challenging in the independent school sector.

    Scholarships and bursaries

    Both schools offer financial support and scholarships.

    St Paul’s Girls’ School offers bursaries and specialist awards such as music scholarships.

    North London Collegiate School offers academic scholarships, music scholarships and means-tested bursaries designed to support talented applicants.

    Sixth form entry (16+)

    At age 16 both schools admit a smaller number of pupils into the Sixth Form.

    Candidates normally sit subject-specific entrance examinations in the subjects they intend to study at A level or within the school’s Sixth Form programme. Interviews and strong GCSE results are also required.

    Overall comparison

    The entrance requirements at St Paul’s Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School are very similar in that both schools select pupils primarily through demanding academic tests followed by interviews.

    St Paul’s Girls’ School tends to use a more multi-stage process beginning with an online reasoning test before written examinations, while North London Collegiate School relies mainly on written English and mathematics papers followed by interviews.

    In practice, both schools are among the most academically selective in the country. Success in the entrance process normally requires strong ability in English and mathematics, excellent reasoning skills and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

  • 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.

  • Comparing St George’s College Weybridge and Hampton School

    St George’s College Weybridge and Hampton School are two well-known independent schools in the Surrey and south-west London area. Both schools offer strong academic results, extensive extracurricular programmes and preparation for leading universities. However, they differ in important ways, including their structure, ethos, admissions profile and overall school environment.

    Official school websites
    https://www.stgeorgesweybridge.com/
    https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are selective independent schools and require pupils to pass entrance assessments before being admitted.

    St George’s College Weybridge is a co-educational Catholic independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. The school was founded in 1869 and today educates just over 1,000 pupils on a large campus near Weybridge.

    Hampton School is a boys-only independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18 located in Hampton, south-west London. It has a long history dating back to the sixteenth century and currently educates around 1,500 pupils.

    Both schools typically admit pupils at 11+ and occasionally at sixth form through entrance tests and interviews.

    Academic results

    Both schools achieve strong academic outcomes, although Hampton School tends to be ranked among the very highest performing independent boys’ schools in the country.

    At Hampton School, around 92% of A-level grades have been recorded as A* or A in recent years, reflecting its highly academic intake and rigorous teaching environment.

    St George’s College also achieves strong results. Around 74% of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range, placing it among the stronger independent schools academically.

    Pupils from both schools regularly go on to Russell Group universities, with some students progressing to Oxford and Cambridge.

    School environment

    The atmosphere of the two schools differs in several ways.

    Hampton School is a traditional boys’ academic school known for high academic standards alongside strong sport, music and drama programmes. The school encourages independent thinking and intellectual curiosity within a busy and active environment.

    St George’s College has a co-educational environment with a Catholic ethos. The school emphasises community values, pastoral care and a balanced education alongside academic success.

    Families choosing between the two often consider whether they prefer a single-sex or co-educational environment.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

    Both schools provide extensive opportunities outside the classroom.

    St George’s College is set in around 100 acres of parkland, with extensive sports facilities including rugby pitches, hockey pitches, tennis courts and a boathouse on the River Thames.

    Hampton School also has excellent facilities including sports grounds, a theatre, music facilities and rowing on the Thames, supporting a large programme of clubs and societies.

    Sport is particularly strong at both schools, with pupils competing at county and national level in several disciplines.

    Fees

    Both schools charge independent school fees.

    Hampton School charges approximately £9,972 per term in tuition fees.

    St George’s College fees are typically around £7,882 per term, although costs may vary depending on year group and activities.

    Both schools offer scholarships and bursaries to support families with the cost of fees.

    Location

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

    Hampton School sits in Hampton near the River Thames in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

    St George’s College is located in Addlestone near Weybridge in Surrey.

    Both locations make the schools accessible from Kingston, Richmond, Surrey and parts of west London.

    Overall

    St George’s College Weybridge and Hampton School are both highly respected independent schools with strong academic results and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.

    Hampton School is often chosen by families seeking a highly academic boys’ independent school with a long tradition and exceptional exam results.

    St George’s College appeals to families looking for a co-educational independent school with a strong community ethos and a balance between academic work, sport and pastoral care.

    For many families in Surrey and south-west London, the choice ultimately comes down to whether they prefer a single-sex academic environment or a co-educational school with a broader pastoral focus.