Girls’ School LADY ELEANOR HOLLES
With a supportive sisterhood network that encourages pupils to discover their voice and develop self-confidence, this Hampton school succeeds in preparing its girls to be future leaders
LEH has been demonstrating the importance and success of single-sex education for more than 300 years. ‘Hope favours the bold’ is more than just a motto. During their time here, students acquire mental, intellectual, emotional and moral courage. It aims to undo the socialisation of perfection and replace it with a sisterhood that teaches girls to be brave, and a supportive network which cheers them on.
“We’re proud that our remarkable school has been recognised in this way, with this award,” says Head Heather Hanbury, “and this is only possible thanks to the involvement of the entire LEH community.”
The results speak for themselves.
But there’s so much more to a great education than exam results. Here, every subject is a girls’ subject. 80 per cent of A-level students take one or more science, with many winning UK and international competitions and awards and collaborating with top universities and NASA.
At LEH there are many opportunities for girls to lead. This role modelling teaches pupils to discover their voice and to speak up, developing the selfconfidence they need to succeed in their career and their life. Every opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements, provide inspiring role models and raise awareness against bias is grasped.
From the moment students arrive at LEH, they’re encouraged to demonstrate the key values of kindness, compassion, tolerance and inclusivity. Its pastoral care and Life Advice programme runs throughout their entire time at LEH, focusing on building resilience. Its annual Wellbeing Day is a highlight of the year, with an exciting timetable of events from yoga and mindful sessions, to petting zoos and kick boxing.
LEH has always had a reputation for sporting prowess, and aims to ensure that every girl in the school appreciates the benefit of participation. There are more than 23 sports on offer and the facilities are second to none.
Music here is, and has always been, exceptional, while the drama department is hugely innovative. Frustrated by the lack of lead roles for women, LEH launched a nationwide playwriting competition, Write the Girl, to create challenging, female-driven narratives for large female casts. The Girl Writes initiative encourages pupils from LEH and its partnership schools to create their own plays.
The school takes pride in its bursary programme: currently, 67 students receive means-tested financial support, with 48 of these taking up free places. This is complemented by a programme of Public Benefit activities which enrich both the local community and the lives of students in partnership schools.
From the new science wall mural – a daily reminder of the pioneering role women have played in science – and its expert Careers Programme, to a reinvigorated alumnae offering which has increased alumnae engagement by 200 per cent, LEH promotes the power of female networking and mentoring.
Melanie Ivarsson, Class of 1990,
Chief Development Officer at Moderna Inc, led the global development of one of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccines. She told pupils: “An education at LEH is absolutely what you need go into the world feeling pretty confident that you can meet any challenge head on.” lehs.org.uk
“WE’RE PROUD THAT OUR REMARKABLE SCHOOL HAS BEEN RECOGNISED IN THIS WAY, and this is only possible thanks to the involvement OF THE ENTIRE LEH COMMUNITY”