Educational Choices

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  • Comparing RGS Surrey Hills and Notre Dame School Cobham

    RGS Surrey Hills and Notre Dame School Cobham are two independent schools located in Surrey. Both offer education for secondary-school pupils and sixth form students, but they differ in structure, school ethos, academic profile and student experience.

    Official school websites
    https://www.rgs-surreyhills.org/
    https://www.notredame.co.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are independent and selective, requiring assessments and interviews before pupils are offered places.

    RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11–18. It offers entry mainly at Year 7, Year 9 and sixth form and considers school reports, interviews and assessments as part of the admissions process.

    Notre Dame School is a girls-only independent Catholic day school in Cobham that accepts pupils aged 11–18 for the senior school, with additional entry points including sixth form.

    The most obvious structural difference is therefore that RGS Surrey Hills is co-educational while Notre Dame is a girls’ school.

    Academic results

    Both schools achieve good academic results, although they differ slightly in academic profile.

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

    RGS Surrey Hills has seen improving results in recent years, with a growing proportion of GCSE grades in the higher bands.

    Both schools send students to a range of UK universities and emphasise strong academic preparation alongside personal development.

    School environment

    The atmosphere at the two schools is noticeably different.

    RGS Surrey Hills promotes a global and outward-looking culture, with a mix of British and international students and a strong emphasis on leadership, service and global awareness.

    Notre Dame School has a Catholic foundation and focuses strongly on values such as compassion, confidence and personal development alongside academic success.

    As a girls’ school, Notre Dame often emphasises confidence building and leadership for young women.

    Facilities and campus

    Both schools are located in attractive parts of Surrey and have spacious campuses.

    RGS Surrey Hills is set in countryside near Box Hill and sits in a large area of grounds, offering both day and boarding options.

    Notre Dame School is also set in attractive grounds in Cobham and provides facilities for sport, arts and academic study within a traditional independent-school campus environment.

    Size and pupil numbers

    The schools differ slightly in size.

    RGS Surrey Hills is a relatively small school with a few hundred pupils aged 11–18, including both day students and boarders.

    Notre Dame School is somewhat larger overall, with pupils across both prep and senior school.

    The smaller size of RGS Surrey Hills can create a more intimate school environment, while Notre Dame has a slightly larger community.

    Fees

    Both schools charge independent school fees.

    Notre Dame School charges tuition fees typical of independent day schools in Surrey.

    RGS Surrey Hills fees are broadly similar, although boarding places increase the cost for students who live on campus.

    Location

    Both schools are located in Surrey but in different settings.

    RGS Surrey Hills is located near Mickleham and Dorking close to Box Hill in the Surrey Hills countryside.

    Notre Dame School is located in Cobham, a well-known Surrey village close to the A3 and within easy reach of Kingston, Esher and Weybridge.

    Overall

    RGS Surrey Hills and Notre Dame School Cobham are both respected independent schools with strong pastoral care and academic programmes.

    RGS Surrey Hills may appeal to families looking for a co-educational school with boarding options and an international outlook.

    Notre Dame School may appeal to families seeking a girls-only school with a strong pastoral culture and Catholic heritage.

    For many families in Surrey, the choice often comes down to whether they prefer a co-educational environment with boarding options or a girls’ school with a strong pastoral focus and long tradition.

  • Comparing Esher Sixth Form College and Godalming College

    Esher Sixth Form College and Godalming College are two of the most popular sixth-form colleges in Surrey. Both specialise in education for students aged 16–19 and offer A-levels and vocational courses. They are similar in many ways but differ slightly in size, atmosphere, results and location.

    Official college websites
    https://www.esher.ac.uk/
    https://www.godalming.ac.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    Both colleges admit students after GCSEs and usually require a set number of GCSE passes, often including strong grades in the subjects students wish to study at A-level.

    Esher Sixth Form College is located in Thames Ditton near Esher and Kingston. It attracts students from a wide area including Elmbridge, Kingston and parts of south-west London.

    Godalming College is located in the town of Godalming near Guildford and draws students mainly from south and west Surrey as well as parts of Hampshire.

    Both colleges are non-selective sixth-form colleges, but strong GCSE grades are expected for most A-level courses.

    Academic results

    Both colleges achieve strong A-level outcomes compared with national averages.

    At Esher Sixth Form College, recent results show an overall pass rate of about 98.5%, with around 60% of grades at A–B* and roughly 32.5% at A–A*. (Esher Sixth Form College)

    Godalming College also performs strongly, with many students achieving high grades and making above-average progress compared with their GCSE results. (godalming.ac.uk)

    Government performance data shows both colleges achieving above-average progress scores, meaning students tend to do better than expected based on their GCSE results. (Compare School Performance)

    School environment

    The atmosphere of the two colleges can feel slightly different.

    Esher Sixth Form College has a reputation for a busy and energetic environment with a large student body. The college focuses strongly on A-level study and preparing students for university.

    Godalming College is often described as having a slightly calmer and more campus-style environment. It emphasises independence and personal development alongside academic study.

    Facilities and courses

    Both colleges offer a wide range of A-level subjects including sciences, humanities, languages and creative subjects.

    Esher Sixth Form College provides A-levels and BTEC courses and has modern teaching facilities, laboratories and performing arts spaces. The college has also received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted in recent inspections. (Ofsted Reports)

    Godalming College offers a similarly broad curriculum including A-levels, BTECs and GCSE resits, with facilities for sciences, arts and sports.

    Both colleges encourage students to take part in enrichment activities such as clubs, sports teams and volunteering.

    Size and student numbers

    The colleges differ slightly in size.

    Esher Sixth Form College has around 2,000 students and is one of the larger sixth-form colleges in the region.

    Godalming College is slightly smaller but still large, with around 1,800 students.

    Both colleges therefore feel more like small universities compared with school sixth forms.

    Location

    Location is often an important factor when choosing between the two.

    Esher Sixth Form College is located in Thames Ditton near Kingston and is easily accessible from places such as Esher, Walton, Molesey and Kingston.

    Godalming College is located near Guildford in a quieter market town setting.

    Students often choose based on travel distance and transport links.

    Overall

    Esher Sixth Form College and Godalming College are both highly regarded sixth-form colleges with strong academic results and good university destinations.

    Esher Sixth Form College may appeal to students looking for a large, lively college environment with a strong academic focus.

    Godalming College may appeal to students who prefer a slightly smaller campus atmosphere and a quieter location.

    For many students in Surrey, the decision between the two colleges often comes down to location, travel time and personal preference rather than major differences in academic quality.

    If you want, I can also write a much sharper comparison (like a league-table style breakdown of 10 differences) — which works very well for blog posts or school comparison websites.

  • 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 Hampton School and St John’s School Leatherhead

    Hampton School and St John’s School Leatherhead are two well-known independent schools in the Surrey and south-west London area. Both offer strong academic results, extensive extracurricular programmes and preparation for leading universities. However, they differ in their structure, school culture and overall educational approach.

    Official school websites
    https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
    https://www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are selective independent schools, meaning pupils must pass entrance assessments and interviews before being offered a place.

    Hampton School is a boys-only independent day school for pupils aged 11–18 located in Hampton, south-west London. Entry usually takes place at 11+, with around 160 places available each year and several applicants competing for each place.

    St John’s School Leatherhead is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11–18. It offers both day and boarding places and admits pupils mainly at 11+ and 13+. Entry normally involves assessments, an experience day and an interview.

    Academic results

    Both schools achieve strong academic outcomes, although Hampton School is often ranked among the highest performing independent boys’ schools in the UK.

    At Hampton School, recent A-level results show a very high proportion of grades at A* and A, reflecting its highly academic intake and rigorous teaching environment.

    St John’s School Leatherhead also performs strongly academically. A large proportion of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range and most A-level grades are A*–B.

    Students from both schools regularly go on to Russell Group universities, with some securing places at Oxford or Cambridge.

    School environment

    The two schools differ in their structure and atmosphere.

    Hampton School is a traditional boys’ academic school with a long history dating back to the sixteenth century. The school emphasises intellectual curiosity, academic challenge and a very wide co-curricular programme including music, drama and sport.

    St John’s School Leatherhead offers a co-educational environment and has a Church of England foundation. The school aims to combine academic success with strong pastoral care and a sense of community.

    Families often choose between the two depending on whether they prefer a single-sex or co-educational school environment.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

    Both schools offer extensive opportunities outside the classroom.

    Hampton School has a large campus with sports fields, theatres, music facilities and a wide range of clubs and societies.

    St John’s School Leatherhead is set in a campus of around 50 acres and provides facilities for sport, performing arts and boarding as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities.

    Sport plays an important role at both schools, and pupils often compete at county or national level.

    Fees

    Both schools charge independent school tuition fees.

    Hampton School fees are around £9,972 per term.

    St John’s School Leatherhead fees vary depending on whether pupils are day students or boarders, with day-school fees generally in a similar range to other Surrey independent schools.

    Location

    The schools are located within a short distance of each other in south-west London and Surrey.

    Hampton School is located in Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

    St John’s School is located in Leatherhead in Surrey, around ten miles south of Hampton.

    Overall

    Hampton School and St John’s School Leatherhead 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’ school with exceptional exam results and a long tradition.

    St John’s School Leatherhead 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 the choice comes down to whether they prefer a single-sex academic environment or a co-educational school with a broader campus experience.

  • Comparing The Tiffin Girls’ School and Tiffin School

    Tiffin Girls’ School and Tiffin School are two of the most academically successful state schools in south-west London. Both are selective grammar schools located in Kingston upon Thames and share a common history, but they differ in their student body, admissions profile and aspects of school culture.

    Official school websites
    https://www.tiffingirls.org/
    https://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    Both schools are selective grammar schools and admit pupils based on academic performance in the 11+ entrance examination.

    Tiffin School is a boys’ grammar school for pupils aged 11–18. Around 180 boys are admitted each year into Year 7 through competitive tests in English and mathematics. The school remains boys-only in Years 7–11 but its sixth form is now co-educational and admits girls as well.

    Tiffin Girls’ School is the girls’ equivalent grammar school. It also admits pupils at age 11 through selective entrance examinations. The school typically offers around 180 places each year and is heavily oversubscribed, with large numbers of applicants competing for places.

    Academic results

    Both schools are widely known for extremely strong academic results.

    Tiffin Girls’ School regularly achieves very high GCSE outcomes. In recent results around 94% of GCSE grades were in the 9–7 range, reflecting the school’s very strong academic intake. (The Tiffin Girls’ School)

    Tiffin School also produces excellent GCSE results, with around 79% of grades awarded at the highest levels of 7–9 in recent years. (Tiffin School)

    Pupils from both schools frequently progress to Russell Group universities, with many students going on to study at highly competitive institutions including Oxford and Cambridge.

    School environment

    Although the schools share a similar academic focus, their environments are slightly different.

    Tiffin School has a long tradition as a boys’ grammar school and emphasises academic achievement alongside strong extracurricular opportunities such as music, sport, debating and drama.

    Tiffin Girls’ School is known for its academically ambitious environment and focus on intellectual development. The school encourages pupils to pursue a wide range of academic and creative interests within a structured and supportive setting.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

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

    Tiffin School offers clubs and societies covering areas such as performing arts, sport and languages. The school also has specialist status in performing arts and languages.

    Tiffin Girls’ School also offers a broad curriculum including languages, sciences, arts and extracurricular opportunities such as music, drama and academic societies.

    Because both are state grammar schools, their facilities are generally more modest than those of nearby independent schools, though both have invested in specialist teaching spaces and enrichment programmes.

    Size and structure

    The schools are similar in overall size.

    Tiffin School has around 1,400 pupils aged 11–18.

    Tiffin Girls’ School has roughly 1,200 pupils including a sixth form of around 300 students. (Wikipedia)

    Both schools admit pupils at Year 7 and also allow some entry into sixth form based on GCSE results.

    Location

    The schools are located very close to each other in Kingston upon Thames.

    Tiffin School sits on Queen Elizabeth Road, while Tiffin Girls’ School is located nearby on Richmond Road. Both draw pupils from across Kingston, Surrey and parts of south-west London.

    Overall

    Tiffin Girls’ School and Tiffin School are among the highest performing state schools in the region and share a similar academic ethos.

    Tiffin School offers a traditional boys’ grammar school experience through Years 7–11 with a co-educational sixth form.

    Tiffin Girls’ School offers an academically selective environment for girls throughout secondary school and sixth form.

    For many families the choice between the two is straightforward because of the single-sex structure, but both schools provide highly academic education and strong preparation for university.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Comparing Lady Eleanor Holles School and The Tiffin Girls’ School

    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.

  • Comparing Hampton School and Tiffin School

    Hampton School and Tiffin School are two very well-regarded schools in south-west London. Both have strong academic reputations and send many pupils to top universities each year. However, the two schools operate quite differently, particularly when it comes to admissions, funding and the overall structure of the school.

    Official school websites
    https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
    https://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/

    Admissions and entry

    One of the biggest differences between the two schools is how pupils are admitted.

    Hampton School is an independent boys’ day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. Entry is usually through the 11+ examination, although there are also opportunities to join at later stages such as sixth form. As an independent school, families pay tuition fees and pupils are selected through entrance tests, interviews and references from their current school.

    Tiffin School is a state grammar school for boys. Entry to Year 7 is determined through a highly competitive 11+ entrance examination. Because the school is state funded there are no tuition fees, but places are extremely competitive and many pupils prepare for the exam well in advance.

    Academic results

    Both Hampton School and Tiffin School achieve excellent academic results.

    Hampton School regularly produces very strong GCSE and A-level results. A large proportion of pupils achieve top grades and many go on to study at leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

    Tiffin School is widely known as one of the strongest academic state schools in the country. Its GCSE and A-level results are consistently high and the school often appears near the top of league tables for state schools.

    School environment

    The atmosphere of the two schools reflects their different traditions.

    Hampton School is a traditional independent boys’ school with a strong emphasis on academic achievement combined with a wide co-curricular programme. Sport, music, drama and societies play a major role in school life, and the school encourages pupils to develop interests beyond the classroom.

    Tiffin School has the feel of a traditional grammar school with a strong academic focus. Pupils are generally very motivated and the school places significant emphasis on intellectual challenge and academic success.

    Facilities and extracurricular life

    Both schools offer a wide range of activities outside the classroom.

    Hampton School has extensive facilities including sports fields, performance spaces and modern teaching buildings. The school is particularly well known for its sporting opportunities and large range of clubs and societies.

    Tiffin School also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as music, sport, debating and academic clubs. However, as a state school it operates within public funding limits and its facilities are generally more modest than those of independent schools.

    Cost

    Cost is one of the clearest differences between the two schools.

    Hampton School charges significant tuition fees each term, which support its facilities, staffing and extracurricular programme.

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

    Co-education

    Both schools are primarily boys’ schools, although there is a difference in the sixth form.

    Hampton School is a boys’ school throughout.

    Tiffin School teaches boys from Years 7 to 11 but its sixth form is co-educational, allowing girls to join for A-level study.

    Location

    The schools are located fairly close to each other in south-west London.

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

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

    Overall

    Hampton School and Tiffin School both offer excellent educational opportunities but they represent two different models of schooling.

    Hampton School provides the advantages of an independent education, including extensive facilities, a broad co-curricular programme and smaller class sizes, although families must pay school fees.

    Tiffin School offers an academically outstanding state education without tuition fees, but entry is highly competitive through the 11+ examination.

    For many families the choice comes down to whether they prefer the independent school environment or the selective state grammar school route, as both schools have strong academic outcomes and prepare pupils well for university.