Educational Choices

Tag: school

  • Which School Achieves Better Results: St Paul’s Girls’ School or North London Collegiate School?

    St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith and North London Collegiate School in Edgware are consistently ranked among the highest-performing schools in the United Kingdom. Both institutions are academically selective and have long traditions of sending large numbers of pupils to top universities in the UK and internationally. A comparison of their examination results shows two schools operating at an exceptionally high academic level, with slightly different patterns in how those results are achieved.

    GCSE results

    At GCSE level both schools achieve extremely strong outcomes, with the overwhelming majority of grades awarded at the top levels. Pupils at St Paul’s Girls’ School regularly achieve results where the vast majority of grades are at grade 9, with almost all remaining grades at grade 8. This reflects the school’s highly selective admissions process and its long-standing reputation for academic scholarship.

    North London Collegiate School also produces outstanding GCSE results, with a very high proportion of grade 9 and grade 8 outcomes. The school consistently reports that the great majority of grades are at the highest levels. While the exact proportions vary slightly from year to year, the overall picture is one of exceptional performance with very few grades below the top bands.

    In practice there is little to separate the two schools at GCSE level. Both regularly appear near the top of national league tables for independent schools and maintain a culture where academic achievement is strongly emphasised.

    A level results

    At A level the results at both schools remain exceptionally strong. St Paul’s Girls’ School regularly records a very high proportion of A* grades. In many years around two-thirds or more of all grades awarded are A*, with the vast majority of the remaining grades being A. This places the school consistently among the highest-performing schools in the country.

    North London Collegiate School also produces extremely strong A level outcomes. A large majority of grades are typically awarded at A* or A, and the proportion of A* grades is consistently very high. While the exact distribution can vary slightly from year to year, the overall standard remains comparable with the strongest independent schools in the UK.

    Both schools therefore operate in the top tier of A level performance nationally. Differences between them tend to be marginal rather than substantial.

    University destinations

    University destinations further illustrate the strength of academic performance at both schools. St Paul’s Girls’ School regularly sends a significant number of pupils to Oxford and Cambridge each year. In addition to Oxbridge, many pupils progress to leading universities such as Imperial College London, University College London, the London School of Economics and top American universities.

    North London Collegiate School also has a very strong record of university placements. Large numbers of pupils secure places at Oxford and Cambridge each year, while others go on to study at leading universities in the UK, Europe and the United States. The school has particularly strong international university connections, with a notable number of pupils applying to universities in North America.

    Both schools therefore demonstrate outstanding progression to highly selective universities.

    Academic culture

    Although the results at the two schools are similar, there are subtle differences in academic culture. St Paul’s Girls’ School has historically cultivated an environment that strongly emphasises intellectual depth and scholarship. Pupils are encouraged to pursue subjects in great detail, often engaging with academic societies, lectures and independent research.

    North London Collegiate School also promotes academic excellence but tends to emphasise breadth alongside depth. The school offers a very wide range of co-curricular activities and intellectual clubs, encouraging pupils to explore a variety of interests alongside their formal studies.

    These differences in approach do not translate into major differences in examination outcomes, but they do shape the overall educational experience.

    Overall comparison

    In terms of raw examination performance, St Paul’s Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School are remarkably similar. Both achieve some of the strongest GCSE and A level results in the country and consistently send pupils to the most competitive universities.

    St Paul’s Girls’ School is often regarded as one of the very highest performing academic schools in the UK, with particularly high proportions of A* grades at A level. North London Collegiate School performs at a comparable level and combines strong results with a broad academic and co-curricular programme.

    For families comparing the two schools, the differences in results are usually very small. The choice between them is more likely to depend on factors such as location, campus environment and school culture rather than a clear gap in academic performance.

  • Comparing the Academic Results of Guildford High School and Tormead School

    Guildford is home to several academically successful independent girls’ schools. Two of the most well-known are Guildford High School and Tormead School. Both institutions have strong academic reputations and regularly achieve impressive GCSE and A-level results, attracting pupils from across Surrey and the surrounding areas.

    Guildford High School

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    Guildford High School is an academically selective independent girls’ school located close to the centre of Guildford. Founded in the nineteenth century, it has developed a reputation as one of the strongest academic schools in Surrey.

    At GCSE level the school regularly produces exceptional results. A very high proportion of grades are awarded at 9–8 and 9–7, and in many years pupils achieve multiple grade 9s across their subjects. These outcomes often place the school among the highest-performing independent schools nationally.

    A-level results are also extremely strong. A large proportion of grades are awarded at A* and A, with particularly high percentages of A* grades. Students from Guildford High frequently progress to leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group institutions.

    The school’s academic culture emphasises high expectations, careful preparation for examinations and strong subject teaching across the curriculum.

    Tormead School

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    Tormead School is another well-established independent girls’ school in Guildford. The school educates pupils from nursery through to sixth form and has developed a strong reputation for academic achievement alongside a broad co-curricular programme.

    At GCSE level the school consistently records strong results. A large proportion of grades are achieved at 9–7, and many pupils achieve several grades at 9 and 8 across their subjects.

    At A-level the results are also impressive. A significant proportion of grades are awarded at A* and A, and the majority of results fall within the A*–B range. Pupils from Tormead regularly move on to universities across the UK, including many Russell Group institutions.

    The school places strong emphasis on supporting pupils academically while also encouraging participation in sport, music, drama and other activities.

    Comparing the Results

    Both Guildford High School and Tormead School achieve excellent academic outcomes and are widely regarded as leading girls’ schools in Surrey.

    Guildford High School typically records slightly higher proportions of the very top GCSE grades and often appears higher in national league tables. Tormead School also produces very strong examination outcomes and maintains consistently high A-level performance.

    The differences between the schools are relatively modest. Both attract academically able pupils and maintain a culture in which strong examination performance is expected. Pupils at either school generally achieve high GCSE and A-level results and progress to competitive universities across the UK.

  • Comparing the Academic Results of St Catherine’s School, Bramley and Guildford High School

    Guildford and the surrounding villages are home to several highly successful independent girls’ schools. Two of the most academically respected are St Catherine’s School in Bramley and Guildford High School. Both schools attract academically strong pupils and regularly produce excellent GCSE and A-level results, placing them among the leading girls’ schools in Surrey.

    St Catherine’s School, Bramley

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    St Catherine’s School, Bramley is an independent girls’ day and boarding school located in the village of Bramley just outside Guildford. Founded in 1885, the school has developed a reputation for strong academic outcomes combined with a broad co-curricular programme.

    At GCSE level the school achieves consistently high results. In recent examinations around 79% of all GCSE grades were between 9 and 7, with about 59% at grades 9–8 and roughly one-third of all grades at 9. These figures indicate that the majority of pupils achieve the highest grades.

    A-level outcomes are similarly strong. Around 30% of grades are awarded at A*, about 70% are A*–A and over 90% of grades are A*–B. These results place the school among the stronger academic girls’ schools in the independent sector. Pupils regularly progress to leading universities including Cambridge, Durham, UCL and Imperial College London.

    The school combines strong academic performance with a broad curriculum and an active sixth-form environment. Many pupils go on to study a wide range of subjects at university including sciences, economics, languages and medicine.

    Guildford High School

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    Guildford High School is one of the best-known girls’ schools in Surrey. The school is academically selective and has built a strong reputation for producing exceptional GCSE and A-level results.

    At GCSE level Guildford High regularly achieves extremely high proportions of grades at 9–8 and 9–7. Pupils frequently achieve multiple grade 9s across their subjects, and the school often appears near the top of national GCSE league tables.

    A-level results are also very strong. A large proportion of grades are awarded at A* and A, with a particularly high percentage of A* grades in many years. Students from the school regularly progress to leading universities across the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group institutions.

    The school’s academic environment emphasises rigorous teaching, careful preparation for examinations and strong support for university applications.

    Comparing the Results

    Both schools produce excellent academic outcomes and consistently rank among the strongest independent schools in Surrey.

    St Catherine’s School, Bramley records very strong GCSE and A-level outcomes, with high proportions of grades at the top levels and strong university destinations. Guildford High School often records slightly higher proportions of the very highest GCSE grades and frequently appears near the top of national league tables.

    Overall the difference between the two schools is relatively small. Both attract academically able pupils, provide strong teaching and maintain a culture in which high academic achievement is expected. Pupils at either school typically achieve excellent examination results and progress to highly competitive universities.

  • Comparing the Academic Results of Guildford High School and the Royal Grammar School, Guildford

    Guildford is home to two of Surrey’s most academically successful schools: Guildford High School and the Royal Grammar School, Guildford. Both institutions have long reputations for academic excellence and regularly produce outstanding examination results at GCSE and A-level. Although they differ in structure and tradition, their results place them among the highest-performing schools in the region.

    Guildford High School

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    Guildford High School is an independent girls’ school founded in 1888. It is academically selective and has built a strong reputation for producing exceptional examination results.

    At GCSE level the school consistently achieves extremely high outcomes. A very large proportion of grades are awarded at 9–8, and in some years the school has ranked among the strongest GCSE performers nationally. Pupils frequently achieve strings of top grades across their subjects.

    At A-level the results are equally impressive. A significant proportion of grades are awarded at A* and A, with a particularly strong percentage at A*. The school’s academic culture emphasises depth of understanding, careful preparation for examinations and strong subject support from teachers.

    Students from Guildford High regularly progress to leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group institutions. Competitive courses such as medicine, natural sciences and law are common destinations for leavers.

    Royal Grammar School, Guildford

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    The Royal Grammar School, Guildford is one of the most historic schools in England, with origins dating back to the sixteenth century. It is a selective boys’ school with a long tradition of scholarship and academic achievement.

    The school’s GCSE results are consistently very strong. A large proportion of grades are achieved at the highest levels, with many pupils securing multiple grades at 9 and 8. The results reflect both the academic selectivity of the intake and the school’s emphasis on rigorous study.

    At A-level, the Royal Grammar School also produces outstanding results. A substantial percentage of grades are awarded at A* and A, and many pupils leave with exceptionally strong subject profiles. The school frequently appears in national league tables for sixth-form performance.

    University destinations are similarly impressive. Each year a number of students gain places at Oxford and Cambridge, while many others progress to leading universities across the UK to study subjects ranging from engineering and mathematics to economics and medicine.

    Comparing the Results

    Both schools operate at the very top end of academic performance in Surrey. Guildford High School often records slightly higher proportions of the very highest GCSE grades, while the Royal Grammar School regularly produces extremely strong A-level results and large numbers of A*–A grades.

    The differences between the two schools are relatively small when viewed overall. Both attract academically able pupils, provide strong teaching and maintain a culture in which high academic achievement is expected. As a result, examination results at both institutions consistently rank among the strongest in the region and nationally.

  • Comparing Academic Results at Dulwich College and Alleyn’s School

    Dulwich College and Alleyn’s School are two of the most well-known independent schools in South London. Located close to each other in Dulwich, the schools share a long history and both have strong academic reputations. While both schools achieve excellent examination results, there are some differences in their academic profiles and the distribution of top grades.

    At A level, Dulwich College regularly achieves very strong results. In recent cohorts a large proportion of grades have been awarded in the top bands, with over 90 percent of grades at A* to B and many pupils achieving multiple A* and A grades across their subjects. The school also reports a strong record of pupils progressing to highly competitive universities, including a number of Oxbridge offers each year.
    https://www.dulwich.org.uk

    Alleyn’s School also achieves outstanding A level results. Around 80 percent of grades are typically awarded at A* or A, with more than 90 percent at A* to B. A significant proportion of grades are the top A* grade. These results place Alleyn’s among the strongest performing independent schools in London and demonstrate a consistently high level of attainment across a wide range of subjects.
    https://www.alleyns.org.uk

    At GCSE, both schools achieve extremely strong results. Dulwich College regularly reports that around 80 percent of GCSE grades are awarded at grades 9 or 8, with a very high proportion of pupils achieving the top grade 9 in several subjects. In some recent years more than 90 percent of grades have been in the 9–7 range, indicating very strong attainment across the year group.

    Alleyn’s School also performs exceptionally well at GCSE. Around 95 percent of GCSE results are typically in the 7–9 grade range, with many pupils achieving large numbers of grade 9s. The school frequently appears among the strongest performing independent schools in London at GCSE level.

    One key difference between the schools is their structure. Dulwich College is a boys’ school, while Alleyn’s is fully co-educational. Some families prefer the single-sex environment offered by Dulwich College, whereas others value the co-educational setting and broader social environment at Alleyn’s.

    Both schools place strong emphasis on academic enrichment alongside examination performance. Pupils at each school regularly progress to leading universities and benefit from a wide range of extracurricular opportunities including sport, music, drama and academic societies.

    Overall, both Dulwich College and Alleyn’s School achieve outstanding academic results and rank among the strongest independent schools in London. Dulwich College is often associated with particularly high concentrations of top grades, while Alleyn’s combines excellent academic outcomes with a co-educational environment and a consistently strong GCSE performance.

  • Comparing Sport at Hampton School and Kingston Grammar School

    Hampton School and Kingston Grammar School are both well known for strong sporting programmes and competitive fixtures against other leading independent schools. However, there are some differences in sporting culture, facilities and the range of teams offered.

    Official school websites
    https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
    https://www.kgs.org.uk/

    Sporting culture

    Hampton School has a long tradition of competitive sport and places a strong emphasis on participation and high performance. Major team sports include football, rugby, rowing, cricket, tennis and athletics.

    Kingston Grammar School also has a strong sporting culture, but as a co-educational school its main sports are slightly different. These typically include football, hockey, tennis, rowing and cricket, along with netball for girls.

    Facilities

    Hampton School benefits from extensive sports facilities including large playing fields, an all-weather sports ground, a sports hall, gymnasium and a dedicated boathouse on the River Thames.

    Kingston Grammar School also has impressive facilities, particularly at its Ditton Field sports ground in Thames Ditton. This site includes astroturf hockey pitches, football pitches, cricket squares, tennis courts and netball courts, along with a boathouse on the Thames for rowing.

    Rowing

    Rowing is a major sport at both schools.

    Hampton School has a highly successful boat club whose crews regularly compete in national regattas and events such as Henley Royal Regatta.

    Kingston Grammar School also has a strong rowing tradition. Its boat club competes in major rowing events including the National Schools Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.

    Team participation

    Hampton School, as a large boys’ school, fields many teams across different year groups and sports. This allows a large proportion of pupils to represent the school in competitive fixtures.

    Kingston Grammar School also encourages high levels of participation. Many pupils represent the school in sport each year and take part in inter-school competitions and house events.

    Sporting focus

    The main sporting focus of the two schools differs slightly.

    Hampton School traditionally emphasises rugby, rowing and cricket alongside football and athletics.

    Kingston Grammar School is particularly strong in rowing and hockey, although football, tennis and cricket are also widely played.

    Overall comparison

    In simple terms:

    • Hampton School tends to have a strong tradition in rugby and rowing, with very large participation across many teams.
    • Kingston Grammar School has a broad sports programme with particular strengths in rowing and hockey.
    • Both schools have excellent facilities and regularly compete against leading independent schools.

    Overall, Hampton School is often viewed as one of the strongest sporting boys’ schools in the region, while Kingston Grammar School offers a similarly competitive sporting programme within a co-educational environment.

  • Comparing Exam Results at Hampton School and Kingston Grammar School

    Hampton School and Kingston Grammar School are two highly regarded independent schools in south-west London. Both schools achieve excellent academic results at GCSE and A-level and regularly send students to leading universities. However, there are some differences in the proportion of top grades and the overall academic profile of each school.

    Official school websites
    https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
    https://www.kgs.org.uk/

    A-level results

    Hampton School is widely known as one of the most academically successful boys’ schools in the region.

    At Hampton School, a very high proportion of A-level grades are typically awarded at A* or A. A large majority of grades also fall within the A*–B range, reflecting the strong academic intake and high expectations of the school.

    Kingston Grammar School also achieves excellent A-level results. A significant proportion of grades are usually A*–A, and the majority fall within the A*–B range.

    Both schools therefore achieve very strong results, although Hampton School often has a slightly higher proportion of the very top grades.

    GCSE results

    GCSE outcomes are also strong at both schools.

    At Hampton School, a very large proportion of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range, with many pupils achieving the highest grades.

    Kingston Grammar School also produces excellent GCSE results, with most grades at the top levels and a high percentage of students achieving grades 9–7.

    Both schools perform far above national averages for GCSE results.

    University destinations

    Students from both schools progress to leading universities.

    Many pupils from Hampton School go on to Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and competitive courses such as medicine, engineering and physics.

    Kingston Grammar School also sends a high proportion of students to Russell Group universities and other highly regarded institutions.

    Academic profile

    The difference in results partly reflects the nature of the schools.

    Hampton School is a highly selective boys’ independent day school with a strong academic reputation and a long tradition of high attainment.

    Kingston Grammar School is also academically selective but is co-educational and emphasises a balanced education combining academic success with sport, music and extracurricular activities.

    Overall comparison

    In simple terms:

    • Hampton School often achieves slightly higher proportions of A* and A grades at A-level.
    • GCSE results at both schools are extremely strong, with many pupils achieving grades 9–7.
    • Both schools send students to leading universities each year.

    Overall, Hampton School is often seen as slightly more academically selective, while Kingston Grammar School combines excellent academic results with a broad co-curricular programme and a co-educational environment.

  • Comparing Exam Results at Lady Eleanor Holles School and Surbiton High School

    Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) and Surbiton High School are two highly regarded independent girls’ schools in south-west London and Surrey. Both achieve strong academic results at GCSE and A-level, but there are some differences in the proportion of top grades and overall academic profile.

    Official school websites
    https://www.lehs.org.uk/
    https://www.surbitonhigh.com/

    A-level results

    Lady Eleanor Holles School is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful girls’ schools in the UK, and this is reflected in its A-level results.

    At LEH, a very high proportion of A-level grades are typically A*–A and most grades fall within the A*–B range. A particularly large number of students achieve the very top A* grades.

    Surbiton High School also achieves strong results but with slightly fewer grades at the very top level. A significant proportion of A-level grades are usually A*–A, and the vast majority are within the A*–B range.

    Both schools therefore achieve excellent results, although LEH generally has a slightly higher proportion of A* and A grades.

    GCSE results

    GCSE results show a similar pattern.

    At LEH, a very high percentage of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range, reflecting very strong academic attainment across most subjects.

    Surbiton High School also produces strong GCSE outcomes, with many grades at 9–8 and a large proportion of pupils achieving top grades.

    Both schools therefore perform very strongly compared with national averages.

    League table performance

    In independent school league tables based on A-level results, Lady Eleanor Holles School regularly appears among the top girls’ schools nationally because of its high proportion of top grades.

    Surbiton High School also performs strongly in national rankings and is widely regarded as one of the stronger independent girls’ schools in London and Surrey.

    University destinations

    Students from both schools progress to highly competitive universities.

    Many pupils from LEH go on to Russell Group universities and Oxford or Cambridge, reflecting the school’s strong academic focus.

    Surbiton High School also sends a large proportion of its students to leading universities, including Russell Group institutions.

    Academic profile

    The difference in results partly reflects the type of school environment.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School is known for a highly selective academic intake and consistently ranks among the top girls’ schools academically.

    Surbiton High School also performs strongly but combines academic success with a broader focus on pastoral care, extracurricular activities and personal development.

    Overall comparison

    In simple terms:

    • LEH tends to have slightly higher proportions of A* and A grades at A-level.
    • GCSE results at both schools are very strong, with high numbers of top grades.
    • Both schools regularly send pupils to leading universities.

    Overall, Lady Eleanor Holles School is often viewed as one of the most academically selective girls’ schools in the region, while Surbiton High School also achieves excellent results within a slightly broader educational environment.

  • Comparing Notre Dame School Cobham and Surbiton High School

    Notre Dame School in Cobham and Surbiton High School are two well-known independent schools in Surrey and south-west London. Both schools educate girls through their senior years and offer strong academic programmes along with extracurricular opportunities. However, they differ in their academic focus, school atmosphere, facilities and overall approach to education.

    Official school websites
    https://www.notredame.co.uk/
    https://www.surbitonhigh.com/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are independent fee-paying schools and select pupils through entrance assessments and interviews.

    Notre Dame School is a girls’ independent day school located in Cobham, Surrey. Pupils typically join at several stages including Year 7 and sixth form. The school emphasises a supportive admissions process that looks at the whole pupil rather than focusing only on academic testing.

    Surbiton High School is also an independent girls’ school at senior level and forms part of a larger school that includes preparatory and junior sections. Entry normally takes place through assessments and interviews, and the school is known to be academically selective.

    Academic results

    Both schools achieve strong results, though Surbiton High School is generally seen as the more academically intensive environment.

    At Surbiton High School, a high proportion of A-level grades are A*–A and many students go on to Russell Group universities.

    Notre Dame School also achieves good academic results and places a strong emphasis on progress and personal development, with pupils typically making strong progress across GCSE subjects.

    While both schools prepare pupils for university, Surbiton High is often regarded as one of the more academically competitive girls’ schools in the area.

    School environment

    The atmosphere at the two schools can feel quite different.

    Notre Dame School has a reputation for a nurturing and supportive environment. The school places emphasis on values such as respect, community and personal growth. It is often described as more balanced and less academically pressured than some nearby independent schools.

    Surbiton High School tends to have a stronger academic focus combined with high expectations for pupils. The school encourages ambition while also offering strong pastoral support.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

    Both schools provide a wide range of activities beyond the classroom.

    Notre Dame School is set in parkland in Cobham and has outdoor spaces, sports facilities and green surroundings which contribute to a calm learning environment.

    Surbiton High School operates across several sites in Kingston and Surbiton and offers facilities for sport, music, drama and academic enrichment. Pupils have access to clubs, societies and leadership opportunities throughout their time at the school.

    Fees

    Both schools charge independent school tuition fees.

    Surbiton High School fees are typically in the region of the mid-£20,000s per year depending on the year group.

    Notre Dame School fees are generally slightly lower than some larger London independent schools, although they still fall within the typical independent school fee range.

    Location

    The schools are located only a few miles apart in Surrey.

    Notre Dame School is located in Cobham, a village in Surrey known for its green surroundings and residential community.

    Surbiton High School is located in Surbiton and Kingston upon Thames, giving it a more urban setting with easy access to London transport links.

    Overall

    Notre Dame School Cobham and Surbiton High School are both respected independent schools with strong academic programmes and supportive learning environments.

    Notre Dame School often appeals to families looking for a smaller girls’ school with a nurturing atmosphere and a strong sense of community.

    Surbiton High School is often chosen by families seeking a more academically competitive girls’ school with very strong exam results and a wide range of opportunities.

    For many families in Surrey and south-west London, the choice often comes down to whether they prefer the smaller, community-focused environment of Notre Dame or the more academically driven setting of Surbiton High School.

  • Comparing Lady Eleanor Holles School and Surbiton High School

    Lady Eleanor Holles School (often called LEH) and Surbiton High School are two highly regarded independent girls’ schools in south-west London. Both schools offer strong academic results and a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, but they differ in history, admissions style, academic reputation and school atmosphere.

    Official school websites
    https://www.lehs.org.uk/
    https://www.surbitonhigh.com/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are independent and charge tuition fees, with pupils usually joining at age 11 through entrance assessments and interviews.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School is known for being particularly selective. It offers entry at several stages including Year 3, Year 7 and sixth form, and focuses strongly on academic potential. The school is well known for preparing girls for highly competitive universities and careers. (Lady Eleanor Holles –)

    Surbiton High School also selects pupils through entrance tests and interviews. It offers a continuous pathway from early years through to sixth form, with separate prep schools and a girls’ senior school. The school emphasises both academic achievement and pupil wellbeing in its admissions approach. (Surbiton High School)

    Academic results

    Both schools achieve strong academic outcomes, though LEH is often ranked among the very top independent girls’ schools in the UK.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School regularly appears high in national league tables. Around 77% of A-level grades are A* or A and roughly 94% of GCSE grades are at the top levels (7–9). (Top School Guide)

    Surbiton High School also performs well academically. In recent A-level results, around 62% of grades were A* or A and over 85% were A* to B. Many pupils progress to Russell Group universities and other competitive destinations. (Surbiton High School)

    School environment

    The atmosphere of the two schools can feel quite different.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School is known for a highly academic culture and strong intellectual environment. Pupils are encouraged to aim for ambitious university destinations and the school has a reputation for academic rigour and confidence-building.

    Surbiton High School tends to emphasise a balanced education combining academic success with pastoral care and personal development. The school often highlights the importance of happiness, confidence and individuality alongside academic achievement.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

    Both schools offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School has extensive facilities including sports grounds by the River Thames and strong partnerships with nearby Hampton School for shared activities such as drama productions and events. (Lady Eleanor Holles –)

    Surbiton High School offers a broad programme of clubs, music, drama and sport across its various campuses in Kingston upon Thames. The school also runs many enrichment opportunities, trips and leadership programmes.

    Fees

    Both schools charge independent school fees, though they vary slightly depending on the year group.

    Surbiton High School sixth-form fees are roughly £26,890 per year, with additional costs for some activities or trips. (Best Schools)

    Lady Eleanor Holles School fees are also in the typical London independent day-school range, reflecting its facilities and academic reputation.

    Location

    The two schools are 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.

    Surbiton High School is located in central Surbiton and Kingston upon Thames, making it easy to reach from many parts of Surrey and south-west London.

    Overall

    Lady Eleanor Holles School and Surbiton High School are both excellent independent girls’ schools but they appeal to slightly different families.

    Lady Eleanor Holles School is often seen as one of the most academically selective girls’ schools in the region, with exceptional exam results and strong university outcomes.

    Surbiton High School offers a strong academic education combined with a strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing, confidence and a broad school experience.

    For many families the choice comes down to whether they prefer the highly academic environment associated with LEH or the balanced academic and pastoral approach offered by Surbiton High School.