Please help me decide LEH or NHEHS ?

[Realhousewifeofealing]

No idea what to do - any experiences or insights? Thanks

[Eastpoint]

Have you been offered a place for your daughter at both? Where do you live? How sporty & competitive is she? Would she rather be in a bigger or smaller school. I think LEH has more rules, which could be a problem if she is rebellious. Will she be happy catching the coach to & from school when she's doing her A levels? My dds' friends who are at LEH really love it & knew they wanted to go there, they don't mind the journey and wouldn't change schools for anything.

[Shootingatpigeons]

What does your DD want to do? Do trust your and her instincts about where she would be happiest. Don't be influenced by results, which just reflect selectivity or the green acres, unless she is sporty.

I know both schools well. I would say that from Ealing the long bus journey would only be justified if your DD wants and has the talent to get involved in the extra curricular at LEH and then, even with late buses, you need to be prepared for some ferrying. And that could be to and from Sunbury if she gets into rowing. LEH girls are a confidant bunch so getting self esteem from involvement in those activities can be important too.

The Bursar will be able to advise on how many are likely to be coming in from Ealing, classes at LEH are arranged geographically as far as they can and that local cohort makes life a lot easier. Would not wish to be the lone Ealing pupil in a Woking / Ascot class.........


New Head at LEH generally regarded as a good thing amongst parents and pupils, it looks as if she will bring a welcome focus on pastoral care and the pupil's personal development.

LEH has more rules? For a couple of recent cohorts they could have done with a few more By the way OP that shouldn't influence your choices either. Sadly you get some attention seeking madams at all the west London schools and they can make a year dysfunctional but unfortunately there is no way of predicting where they will turn up, you hear stories from all the schools.

[Realhousewifeofealing]

Many thanks both, yes we have places at both (and others but these are our favorites) - DD is not at all rebellious , loves sport though not a shining star in that regard. Art and singing are her thing. Am seduced by academic prowess at LEH...think NHEHS is possibly too cuddly ? Also worried how long Lucinda hunt likely to stay ? Have heard lots of good about new head at LEH - am going back to visit both.... Journey is main issue for LEH....also is it too hot house ? DD coming from state primary?

[tess73]

Well about 1/3 come from state primary and if she got through the exam then I wouldn't be concerned about her ability to keep up, clearly she has the capability.
I don't know NHEHS, what do you like about it?

[tess73]

i am sure when i visited LEH they had information on the number of girls by postcode on a map on one of the display boards. It may even be on their website. There definitely was a number from Ealing, anyway they have the information so worth asking for it.

[tess73]

coaches C21 for Ealing/Northfields/Osterley route

[Realhousewifeofealing]

Thanks all - think it will come down to ease of travel.....LEH is easy (private coach) but long ......have booked to return and see both. Out of interest , anyone with a daughter at LEH who can advise how much ferrying there is to do as a parent ( eg if stay after school, sport at weekends etc)

[Sundaedelight]

NHEHS is a more local school. The majority of the girls live in Ealing and more friends are around at weekends/holidays as a result. Great school with a down to earth ethos, girls turn out normal and not too stressed in comparison to many competitive indies in west London.

[Shootingatpigeons]

realhousewife That does depend on what they do. Drama and music definitely involves late night pick ups from rehearsals etc. and they will almost all want to get involved with the drama festival in Year 7/8 where rehearsals will be at the sixth formers homes and that can be from Ealing to Ascot and woking. There is a late bus to Richmond at least to serve sports practise nights, not sure about fixtures. If they get into rowing by Year 9 you are talking two nights a week at school and Saturday and Sundays (19 hours training) mostly at Sunbury. However providing you have a decent Ealing cohort you can do lift shares etc.