Lady Eleanor Holles School

The Lady Eleanor Holles School (often abbreviated to LEH or LEHS) is an independent day school for girls in Hampton, London. It is a member of the Girls' Schools Association.

History

The school was established in 1711, when a trust for its endowment as a Christian foundation was created under the will of Lady Eleanor Holles, daughter of John Holles, 2nd Earl of Clare, which prescribed that money from her estate should be used to set up a school "to produce young women of grace and integrity". First located in St Giles, in the Cripplegate Ward of the City of London, its original site is marked by a plaque on one of the Barbican walkways. The school later occupied other premises in the City until 1878, when it moved to Mare Street in east Hackney. The building is now home to the London College of Fashion.

The current premises in Hampton were purpose built, and were opened on 7 December 1937 by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. The building was designed in the shape of an E.

The school was thought to have been founded in 1711, but records show it functioning in 1710 and earlier. The school recently celebrated its 300th anniversary with a service at St Paul's Cathedral, London.

According to the Good Schools Guide, Lady Eleanor Holles School is "Deservedly one of the top girls' schools in the country". It also states that the school is "Highly sought-after for its academic delivery, celebration of female success, top of the range facilities and cream of the crop intake."^[1]

Facilities

The school's facilities include a sports hall, swimming pool, boat house on the Thames, playing fields, tennis courts, netball courts, athletics facilities, science laboratories, modern languages laboratory, design and technology suite, arts centre with state-of-the-art theatre, computer rooms and a Learning Resources Centre.

Extracurricular activities

The school is known for success in rowing, tennis and lacrosse. There are also sports teams in trampolining, lacrosse, netball, tennis, gymnastics, athletics, rounders, swimming, rowing and fencing. Clubs within the school include Amnesty International, Chess Club, Debating Society, Christian Union, Choirs, Orchestral and Chamber groups. In 2010 the Holles Singers, a choir at the school, won the BBC Youth Choir of the Year. This school has achieved many high qualities, and can be known for some across the globe. They are also rivals to st paul's girls school in sport.

Head teachers

• Heather Hanbury - appointed September 2014
• Gillian Low 2004- 2014. President 2010/l1 GSA
• Elizabeth Candy 1981-2004
• Nora Nickells 1915-44

Former pupils and teachers

Former teachers

• Pauline Cox, Head Teacher from 1994 to 2010 of the Tiffin Girls' School (taught Geography 1976-77)
• Margaret Hustler, Headmistress from 1996 to 2007 of Harrogate Ladies' College and from 1989 to 96 of St Michael's School, Limpsfield (taught from 1977 to 1985)
• Frances King, Headmistress since 2008 of Roedean School and from 2003 to 2007 of Heathfield School, Ascot (taught RE 1984-85)

Former pupils

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, at Gunnersbury Triangle local nature reserve, 2012

• Pamela Alexander, Chief Executive since 2004 of the South East England Development Agency, and from 1997-2001 of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage)
• Charlotte Attenborough, daughter of Richard Attenborough
• Brooke Burfitt, actress and radio presenter
• Lynn Barber, journalist - her time at the school was featured in the film An Education
• Caroline Bird, published poet and daughter of Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre
• Aida Cable, lawyer, Project Director at The Royal Foundation and daughter of Vince Cable (the local MP, 1997-2015)
• Beatie Edney, actress and daughter of Sylvia Syms
• Carola Hicks, art historian
• Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive since 2004 of The Wildlife Trusts, and from 2000-4 of Wildlife and Countryside Link^[2]
• Jay Hunt, former Controller of BBC One from 2008–10
• Vivien Jones, lacrosse player^[3]
• Clare Lawrence Moody, actress and daughter of TV director Laurence Moody
• Iris Loveridge, concert pianist
• Juliet Morris, television presenter
• Annie Nightingale, BBC journalist
• Sue Owen CB, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport since October 2013^[4]
• Barbara Pearse, biological scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
• Katie Pearson,
• Saskia Reeves, actress
• Pamela Schwerdt, joint head gardener at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, and pioneering horticulturalist
• Jane Thynne, novelist, journalist and broadcaster
• Gail Trimble, the "Human Google" and captain of the Corpus Christi College, Oxford team at the 2009 University Challenge
• Tallulah Smith, famous dancer and choreographer and 8th in world for CIMA
• Elizabeth Sankey, singer in indie pop duo Summercamp
• Rachel Finkel-Thwaite respected crime writer and upholsterer, niece of 1940s jazz musician, Reginald (The Finkel-Thwaite Six)
• Vanessa Kirby, actress.
• Gauri Kumar, Junior Winner of the 2016 Commonwealth Essay.

References

External links

• Official website
• Profile at the Good Schools Guide
• "Schools Guide 2011 - The Lady Eleanor Holles School". Tatler. 
• The Lady Eleanor Holles School DVD