Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST Review 2026: Elite Tier Independent Girls' School

Notting Hill & Ealing has stood as one of London's most celebrated girls' schools for 151 years, beginning with a bold vision in 1873 when four pioneering women challenged the educational establishment. Girls rush through the gates on Cleveland Road with unmistakable purpose; this is a school where academic ambition and genuine warmth coexist without compromise. With 926 girls spanning Reception to Year 13, the school occupies a significant position in London's independent landscape. In 2024, 91% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7, while at A-level 70% of entries were graded A*/A, placing the school in the elite tier of independent schools nationally (FindMySchool ranking: 1st in Ealing). The independent, not-for-profit status within the Girls' Day School Trust means tuition fees are reinvested directly into facilities, staffing, and educational innovation.

Step beyond the Cleveland Road entrance and the school's deliberate architecture tells its story. The original Victorian buildings share campus space with modern additions including a purpose-built Sixth Form Centre and a striking glass-fronted drama studio. The atmosphere feels notably balanced; students are clearly ambitious and motivated, yet the school resists any sense of academic hothouse intensity. Girls describe feeling "safe to be themselves," a phrase that appears repeatedly in alumnae reflections and inspection feedback. This sense of belonging extends across the all-through journey from Reception to Year 13, creating continuity most single-phase schools cannot replicate.

Mrs Allison Saunders took the helm in May 2025 after a tenure by Matthew Shoults, who led the school for seven years before moving to a headship role elsewhere. Saunders arrived from a senior deputy position at an independent girls' school in Twickenham and brings experience in developing "ambitious and innovative solutions." Her appointment signals the school's commitment to evolving traditions while preserving what works. The school's founding ethos emphasizes that "girls can do anything," and this thread runs visibly through the culture. Staff actively resist gendered thinking; subjects are not marketed as "for boys" or "for girls," and girls are encouraged to pursue any specialism they choose, from classical languages to competitive mathematics.

The new Junior School building, unveiled in 2023, provides state-of-the-art learning environments with specialist spaces for music, art, and science, alongside outdoor learning spaces including a science garden and forest school area. The Senior School campus combines period charm with contemporary investment, featuring a 25-meter indoor pool, four-court sports hall, and comprehensive arts facilities that rival many universities.

GCSE Performance

Notting Hill & Ealing occupies the elite tier for girls' independent schools. In 2024, 91% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7. This performance places the school 1st in Ealing and 38th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 2% of secondary schools nationally. The consistent strength across subjects reflects both selective entry and teaching quality; girls arriving at Year 7 have typically passed the school's entrance assessment, and many have come through the Junior School where similar rigour applies from Reception onwards.

A-Level Performance

A-level results demonstrate comparable excellence. In 2024, 70% of entries achieved A*/A, with 95% achieving A*-B. These figures outpace England average performance significantly, reflecting both the school's selective sixth form entry process and the intensity of teaching at this stage. The A-level ranking of 65th in England (FindMySchool ranking) places Notting Hill & Ealing in the top 10%, marking it as one of London's leading independent schools for post-16 education. The ISI inspection in 2025 noted that "pupils of all ages demonstrate a love of learning and a desire to develop their aptitudes and interests," capturing the motivation level inspectors observed across academic departments.

The curriculum follows a traditional academic framework with notable breadth. French begins early in the Junior School; by Year 8 in the Senior School, languages include French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, and Latin. Sciences are taught separately from Year 7 onwards. The school offers approximately 30 A-level subjects, including less common options such as Classics and Greek. Advanced learners can access extension work and subject masterclasses.

A distinctive curriculum feature is the Da Vinci Programme for Year 10, which encourages cross-curricular thinking around topics like cult psychology and contemporary masculinity. This program sits alongside traditional examination preparation and reflects the school's "no either-or" philosophy: girls pursue rigorous GCSEs while exploring ideas beyond the curriculum. Teaching staff have strong subject credentials; the school actively recruits specialists who remain embedded in their disciplines. Lessons emphasize deep understanding rather than superficial coverage, and pupils consistently describe feeling challenged but supported.

The school publishes comprehensive university destination data, though specific Russell Group breakdowns are not consistently detailed on the website. In 2024, the cohort of 69 leavers saw 72% progress to university, with 4 students securing Oxbridge places (1 to Cambridge, 3 to Oxford). This Oxbridge acceptance represents notable achievement and reflects the school's rigorous A-level pipeline. Beyond Oxbridge, students typically progress to research-intensive universities; the school's location in West London and academic profile attract a steady stream to Imperial College, UCL, Durham, Edinburgh, and Bristol.

Sixth form entry is selective; approximately half of Year 11 pupils progress internally, while Year 12 welcomes girls from other schools, creating a refreshed cohort with "intellectual spark and curiosity" to use the school's language.

This section represents the school's genuine competitive advantage and warrants sustained attention. With 150 clubs available across the school, the choice is deliberate and deliberately not exhaustive; girls routinely start new clubs if their passion isn't already catered for. The school runs a termly Co-curricular Fair where 40-plus clubs actively recruit, creating a palpable sense of opportunity.

Music: Significant Provision

The school operates 25 distinct music groups and clubs, far exceeding the typical secondary provision. Groups include Chamber Choir, Lower School Chamber Choir, Session Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, Rock Band, Flute Ensemble, Bassoon Quartet, and Conducting Club. Piano Duos and Trios offer chamber experience. Film Music Club and Acapella provide genre specificity. Visiting Music Teachers offer individual lessons at £32.50 for 35 minutes. The recording studio and recital hall enable both performance and technical experience. Termly concerts provide performance pathways; Year groups mount annual productions featuring live orchestral accompaniment, creating a pipeline of both performers and audience members who experience serious music-making.

Drama: Inclusive Yet Professional

The 360 Drama Studio features theatrical-standard lighting, sound, and set design capabilities. Backstage Pass offers three levels of technical involvement, democratizing backstage experience beyond traditional stage crew roles. Pupils can pursue Drama Club, LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) qualifications, or additional rehearsals for school productions. The school's annual drama calendar includes multiple productions per year, from Year 5 shows (such as an Aladdin adaptation) to Fifth Form and Sixth Form productions. The auditorium seats 100 and features professional-grade facilities, differentiating the school's drama offer from schools relying on hall-based performances.

Sports: Both for All and Elite Pathways

Sport encompasses over 45 clubs, demonstrating commitment to breadth rather than elite-only pathways. Team sports include Netball, Hockey, Football, Cricket, Water Polo, Badminton, and Dance. Individual sports span Trampolining, Indoor Rowing, Fencing, Kickboxing, Gymnastics, Taekwondo, Yoga, Swimming, and specialist fitness clubs like Strength & Conditioning. The 25-meter indoor pool, four-court sports hall, and dance studio provide infrastructure. Girls compete in galas, matches, and fixtures against local and GDST schools from Year 3 onwards in swimming, Year 4 in netball, and Year 5 in hockey. The school maintains competitive representations in multiple sports while maintaining accessibility for recreational participation.

Academic and Special Interest Clubs

Over 70 special-interest clubs run termly, with new additions each academic year. Named examples include Amnesty International, Debating, Geography Society, Dissections (anatomy focus), Coup Club, Horrible Histories, Hans Woyda (language immersion), First Aid, Tycoon (finance/business), Economics Club, Ealing Teen Read (book club), Astrophysics Club, Sapere Aude (philosophy), German Society, Pi Club (mathematics), Python Coding, Bridge, Informatics Olympiad, Classics Masterclass, Medical Society, and LGBTQ+ support group. This range signals genuine institutional diversity and signals to girls that intellectual curiosity across domains is valued. The specificity of club names (not generic "Science Club" but "Dissections," "Informatics Olympiad," "Astrophysics") reflects specialist leadership and particular pedagogical focus.

Leadership and Service

Sixth form students lead many junior clubs, creating vertical integration and mentoring pathways. Head Girls' roles and Sports Captain positions offer structured leadership. Subject Representatives coordinate Year 12 events such as Science Week and Languages Film Evenings. The Tuesday Lecture Series brings external speakers to sixth form audiences. Volunteering is "core to sixth form life," with community service embedded in the sixth form experience. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme operates at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, with expeditions typically in attractive UK locations. Record numbers of Year 10 participants completed DofE Bronze in recent years; larger cohorts of Year 11 tackle DofE Silver expeditions.

From September 2025/6, termly fees are £7,120 (Junior School) and £9,234 (Senior School), inclusive of VAT at 20%. These figures represent annual costs of approximately £21,360 (Junior) and £27,702 (Senior) when paid termly, though annual and monthly installment options are available. Registration fee of £210 (£300 overseas) is non-refundable. Acceptance deposit of £1,500 secures a place once offered. Families with three or more children at the school simultaneously receive a 20% discount on fees for the third and subsequent children, which remains throughout that pupil's school journey.

Lunches are charged separately: £299 per term (Reception to Year 6) and £320 per term (Years 7-9) from September 2025. Years 10-13 can choose termly lunch fees or pay-as-you-go via Parent Pay, or bring packed lunches. School trips are covered by a termly charge of £45 per pupil (covering day trips except residential expeditions). Music tuition with Visiting Music Teachers costs £32.50 per 35-minute lesson, arranged independently. Examination fees for public exams are added to the final summer term invoice.

Bursaries are the school's main financial aid vehicle, available at Year 7 and Sixth Form entry points only. Means-tested bursaries can reach 100% of fees, awarded based on family circumstances and entrance examination performance. Families believing they may qualify should indicate this at registration and complete an online form. Academic scholarships up to 10% are awarded for entrance examination performance; music, sport, art, and drama scholarships of similar value recognize achievement in these domains. The school's commitment to widening access is genuine, with multiple pathways to admission regardless of family income.

Entry occurs at four main points: Reception (4+), Year 3 (7+), Year 7 (11+), and Year 12 (16+). Assessment-based entry means the school selects its cohort at each stage rather than operating as fully comprehensive, even within its independent framework.

Reception and Year 3 assessment focuses on school readiness and emerging academic skills. Year 7 entry requires performance in entrance testing coordinated through the London 11+ Consortium, which unifies testing across multiple London independent schools. Approximately 2,100 candidates register annually for approximately 150 Year 7 places, yielding a selective admissions ratio. Year 12 entry requires GCSE performance and sixth form entrance examinations; the school accepts both internal and external applicants.

Nearly all Junior School girls progress to the Senior School at age 11; a small proportion move to other schools, but continuity is the norm. This creates institutional continuity and strong community cohesion. Sixth form entry requires competitive A-level predictions and entrance examination performance; approximately half of Year 11 typically progress internally.

Registration deadlines for 2026 entry have been set: Junior 4+ (November 3rd, 2025), Junior 7+ (December 5th, 2025), Senior 11+ (November 7th, 2025), Sixth Form 16+ (October 31st, 2025). These are fixed annually with minor variation, and families should confirm directly with the admissions team on current dates.

Pastoral structure centers on tutor groups and vertical house communities. Girls are known individually by staff; the Head and Senior Deputies maintain visibility and approachability. The school explicitly measures wellbeing alongside academic progress. A trained counselor visits weekly for children needing emotional support or mental health advocacy. Peer support mechanisms include a big-sister scheme creating vertical relationships between older and younger pupils, fostering a care culture that extends beyond classroom.

The ISI inspection in 2025 noted that pupils "demonstrate advanced learning behaviours, they develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills beyond the norm for their age. This is a significant strength." This cognitive development is paired with intentional social-emotional infrastructure.

School hours: 8:50am to 3:20pm (Senior School); 8:45am to 3:15pm (Junior School). Breakfast club and after-school care are not explicitly detailed on the current website; families should contact the school directly for wraparound arrangements. Transport links include proximity to Ealing Broadway train station and local bus routes; significant parking is available on the Cleveland Road campus and surrounding streets. Uniform is required across all phases; the school's uniform policy balances tradition with practical flexibility.

Selective entry at multiple stages. Entry at 11+ attracts competitive applications (approximately 15 applications per place in recent years). Families should consider tutoring support; many peers will have had external preparation. The entrance assessment measures reasoning and problem-solving rather than narrow curriculum knowledge, but competition remains substantial.

All-through education carries commitment. Children entering at Reception embark on a 14-year journey. While continuity offers stability and relationships, families must consider long-term commitment and evolving needs.

Social composition reflects fees and admissions. At approximately £27,000 per annum (Senior School), the school attracts families with significant disposable income. Whilst bursaries exist and do make material impact, the student body skews toward affluent West London demographics. Families valuing visible diversity may find this limiting.

Examination-focused pathways. Despite the school's stated commitment to balance, GCSE and A-level examination success drives culture and curriculum. Girls pursuing vocational routes or non-academic specialisms may find less institutional support.

Notting Hill & Ealing ranks among England's leading independent schools for girls, combining elite academic outcomes with genuine pastoral commitment and exceptional breadth of opportunity. The school delivers on its promise that academic excellence and supportive community need not be in tension. Results place it in the top 2% of secondary schools nationally; the range of 150 clubs ensures girls discover and develop passions beyond examinations. The all-through structure (Reception to Year 13) creates rare continuity and deep community. Recent investment in facilities, especially the new Junior School building and refreshed senior campus, demonstrates institutional confidence in the future.

Best suited to girls who thrive in academically rigorous environments, particularly those seeking depth in traditional academic subjects (languages, sciences, humanities) and abundant co-curricular choice. Families value community engagement and understand that selective entry and substantial fees create both opportunity and a specific social composition. The school suits girls ready for challenge and girls with intellectual curiosity across multiple domains.

The main challenge is securing entry at Year 7; competition is substantial and entrance examinations require preparation. Families should begin research early and understand that selective independent schools demand commitment to the application process.