Lady Eleanor Holles: 11 plus entry guide

About Lady Eleanor Holles

Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) is a private day school for girls aged 7 to 18 located on a 24-acre campus in Hampton, southwest London. LEH was founded in 1710, making it one of the oldest girls’ schools in the UK. It has strong links with next-door Hampton School, including joint co-curricular activities, modern language exchanges, charity and career events and preparation for university.

LEH believes that academic results should be a by-product of a pupil’s education and not the central focus; pupils are encouraged to develop intellectual curiosity and a love of learning. Regardless, pupils at LEH receive excellent exam results and the vast majority take up places at their first choice of university.

In a recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), Lady Eleanor Holles was graded ‘excellent’ in all areas – and the academic achievement and personal development of the pupils was found to be of the highest standards.

• Headteacher: Mrs Heather Hanbury

• Address: Lady Eleanor Holles, Hanworth Road, Hampton, TW12 3HF

• London Borough: Richmond upon Thames

• Age range and gender: 7–18, girls only

• Number of pupils: 950+

• National league table rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 22

• A level results: 94.9% A*–B

• GCSE results: 95.5% 9–7

LEH fees and financial assistance

The fees at LEH for 2023–2024 are £8,291 per term. This includes stationery and textbooks but does not include lunch, which is compulsory and costs £272 per term.

Financial assistance

LEH provides £1.2 million in financial support each year to talented pupils of low-income families, with 8% of students currently receiving some level of needs-based financial support (known as a bursary).

Bursaries can range from £1,000 a term to covering 100% of school fees. Parents whose combined income is less than £50,000 can expect to receive a 100% bursary if their daughter is successful in the Year 7 application process. Families with a combined income of more than £90,000 are unlikely to qualify for assistance.

LEH also offers a sibling discount of 10% on the fees for the youngest daughter if three or more daughters attend the school at the same time.

Scholarships

LEH also offers scholarships and exhibitions at 11 plus entry. These are not means-tested but based on the child’s talent and/or potential in a particular subject.

• Academic scholarships: cover 10% of school fees. There is no need to apply – all 11 plus candidates are automatically considered.

• Music scholarships: cover 10% of school fees. Apply via the main 11 plus registration form.

• Music exhibitions: cover 7.5% of school fees. Apply via the main 11 plus registration form.

LEH 11 plus admissions process

1. Visit the school

If you are considering Lady Eleanor Holles for your daughter, it’s a good idea to visit the school first at an open event. This is an opportunity to see the school site and facilities, meet staff and current pupils, and ultimately see if the school is an environment where your daughter will thrive.

LEH holds frequent senior school open events throughout September and October. Find out more and book a place on the school website.

2. Register for 11 plus entry

To register your daughter for entry to LEH, complete the online application form. A registration fee of £150 applies. You can indicate whether you would like to apply for a bursary and/or scholarship on this form.

The deadline for completing the form for entry in 2024 is 10am on Tuesday 7th November 2023.

4. Problem-solving exam

All girls will take a problem-solving exam, in addition to the ISEB test, at LEH on Sunday 3rd December 2023.

This is a one-hour test. Children will be assessed on their linguistic and logic problem-solving skills, with questions including elements of English and maths.

After this test, LEH will decide which candidates to shortlist for the next stage of the process. Letters with results from the first stage will be sent to parents in mid-January 2024.

5. Interviews

If your daughter has been successful in the first round of the admissions process, she may be invited to an interview at LEH between 23rd and 25th January 2024.

Interviews are generally used by schools to give a more holistic view of your child. Your child may need to complete a short task, talk about an object of interest to them, or discuss their wider interests outside of school. Learn more about private school interviews here.

Girls who have been shortlisted for a music scholarship will have an audition during the same dates.

6. Offers

LEH will make offers of places based on the child’s performance in the ISEB and problem-solving tests, her performance in the interview, and on her current school report.

Offer letters will be posted to parents by 9th February 2024. If your daughter is offered a place, you will have until early March to accept.

Girls who accept a place will be invited to a new pupil induction day on 27th June 2024.

All-in-one exam prep platform

Wondering how to make sure your child effectively recaps the Key Stage 2 curriculum, stays on track with their progress, and gets help when they're stuck? Online learning is a particularly efficient, cost-effective (and fun) way to do this!

Atom Nucleus is the award-winning online learning platform, designed to support families with entry to the UK's leading schools.