NLCS and LEH

[dwarfpapa]

My DD got offer from NLCS and LEH, and we are struggling for a decision. My DD is academic, with strong desire to achieve and not afraid of pressure or competition. She is not too sporty nor music type. As we are relocating anyway, transportation is not a concern for us.

Just like to seek views from parents about these 2 schools, or any experience to share if you have dd studied/studying in these schools.

Two opposite sides of London?

Both excellent. NLCS is top of their game in terms of academics , less info about LEH but also heard is great. If a daughter got an offer from NLCS, they must want her and think she would suit it, so I would snap It up

It is quite on opposite sides of London, but taking the chance of relocation, we are open to offers from different schools as long as it suits my dd.

Unless there's something really specific that your daughter really wants to do/not do in one of the schools they're both good girls' day schools so the other factor is who ends up being in her class and you won't know that til she gets there.

So, I'd go for whichever location you prefer.

PS: didn't you have to accept/decline by last week?!

Yes agreed, once you have the offers make the decision based on your family's relocation. LEH is in a suburban location with weak public transport links. The school boat house is in Sunbury with no public transport, if you would like your daughter to take up rowing are you happy to drive to Sunbury on a Friday night or Saturday morning? The school bus system is excellent and shared with Hampton boys. Would you consider living in a place on the bus map? Otherwise your dd can get a public bus from the Richmond direction. The traffic in the area is dreadful in the morning if you are considering driving (like most of Greater London).

I'm confused, weren't deadlines last week? NLCS offers the IB and is on the Jubilee line which is super convenient.

NLCS is much more academic.
Yes - is this from the WL of 11+?

Very happy LEH parent here. LEH has given DD inspiration to grab so many opportunities - she has really made the most of her time at LEH. As PP said school bus system excellent. I think the pastoral care is great with a real focus on mental health ( Barney the therapy dog is a popular member of staff) and it is known as the well being centre in our house in comparison to similarly selective schools other DC at. The main sport is lacrosse. I know you said that your DD is not sporty but in our year group many of the non lacrosse/ netballers actually have rowing a go and it turns out they are sporty after all ! DD did row for a couple of years -and it is very full on but hugely rewarding for the girls - lift shares are usually easy to sort. The music and drama is amazing. I’m a big fan of Mrs Hanbury, the head, and enjoy her words of wisdom . She is a very “present” in the school, approachable and straight talking. The Covid response has been excellent . A bright child, which your DD will be, will do well academically at either school. At this sort of level I wouldn’t split hairs on league tables . Neither will be a wrong choice - these sorts of schools only offer to a child they think will thrive at their school. Good luck with deciding

LEH is far more rounded while super academic....

Thanks all for your valuable views which we will take note in the decision. Agree both are excellent schools with remarkable academic level. With this, I would tend to let my dd drive the decision based on her preference and hope she thrives in either school. Thanks again for all your help !

In my personal opinion If you choose NLCS just be VERY aware that if your child has any health issues you’ll want to be absolutely sure that the school nurse there sees proof of it all as she has history of falsely insinuating that parents have FII and putting this in writing to then circulate to third parties.
Would hate anyone else to go through this so please be aware

TheGiverofTruth, Thanks.

Hi @dwarfpapa! How is your decision coming along? And may I ask which other schools you considered?

Firstly, congratulations to your daughter and to your family on offers from two fine schools. LEH strikes me as slightly more 'normal' and friendlier. I like it but it was too far for us so we did not apply. We did, though, have an offer from NLCS. It would have meant a 7 am start for the coach which comes to the end of our street and organising lots of evening and weekend pick ups and drop offs. ( I commuted a lot as a kid and wanted to avoid this if possible.) Moreover, our daughter really took against it; on reflection, the size of the site and its 'hauteur' was intimidating for her, even after a Taster Day spent there earlier. My partner also found it a bit much whilst acknowledging that it was a very fine school for some girls. I really liked it and still believe our child would have been fine there after a period of adjustment.

All the NLCS alumnae we know are successful and have an edge to them.Is your daughter quietly self confident, with a touch of inner steel? Then NLCS sounds like a really good fit on the face of it. NLCS likes girls who are academic, driven and thrive on 'pressure' and they know how to both challenge and support them. They love girls who will further burnish the school's reputation.

Congratulations, once again!

JBX2013,

My DD finally chose LEH. Actually we like both schools.

Hoping our DDs enjoys their school lives.