The school was founded in the Cripplegate Ward of the City of London in 1711 from a Trust established under the will of the Lady Eleanor Holles, daughter of the second Earl of Clare. The Cripplegate Schools Foundation administers the Trust.

Location and facilities

The school stands on a 30-acre site surrounded by gardens and playing fields.  The main building (originally designed for 350 pupils) was opened in 1937 by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester.  Following numerous extensions in the intervening years, it now accommodates approximately 700 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 in class and specialist teaching rooms which include a Design and Technology suite, language laboratories and a newly refurbished, well-stocked, main school Learning Resources Centre.   Four additional Science laboratories were opened in March 1983 giving a total of nine, and a purpose-built Music and Drama wing came into operation in September 1987.  The new Art and Design block opened in 1990 and a Sixth form library with tutorial and class rooms was opened in 1992. In 1994 the back of the School was landscaped and new tennis and netball courts built.  Additional classrooms were added in 1997. A Boat House at Sunbury, owned jointly with Hampton School, was opened in October 2000 and a large Sports Hall, adjacent to the Swimming Pool, came into use in September 2001.

The Junior Department of approximately 180 pupils is housed in separate buildings located on the northern side of the school site.  The Department has been recently extended and completely renovated.

Aims of the school

The aims are twofold.  First, to encourage every girl to develop her personality to the full so that she may become a woman of integrity and a responsible member of society, and secondly, to provide a broad education initially, leading finally to high academic achievements in the Sixth Form, within a framework of disciplined and independent study which includes cultural, creative and sporting opportunities.

Sixth Form

There are 180-200 girls in the Sixth Form, the vast majority of whom go on to the best universities in the UK and abroad.  Students generally take three or four full A levels, some with an additional AS, and also General Studies AS Level. From September 2009 the school will also be offering its Sixth Form the opportunity to acquire the AQA Baccalaureate.

Houses

The school has recently launched a House system.  Staff are allocated to a House, and support the girls in the numerous activities, which span sports, music and arts events, which occur throughout the year.

Music

Up to 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument and instrumental examinations can been taken at school.  Extra-curricular music thrives, with provision to cater for every taste.  A large percentage of the school population contributes to the numerous choirs and orchestras, and there is also specialist provision for chamber music.  In addition, there are opportunities for pupils to take part in jazz ensembles and pop groups.  Performance opportunities abound, with one major concert a term augmented by smaller weekly concerts and external engagements.

Sport

The facilities include five pitches, six new floodlit netball/tennis courts, a gymnasium and an indoor swimming pool. The curriculum includes Lacrosse, Netball, Tennis, Rounders, Badminton, Gymnastics, Dance, Athletics, Swimming and Health Related Fitness and some games options of Hockey, Soccer, Fencing, Golf, Riding, Rowing, Squash.  Pupils have, in recent years, represented County, Territorial and National teams and won National Tournaments and Competitions in several sports. 

Extra-curricular activities: ‘The other half’

A key strength of the school is the range and diversity of its flourishing extra-curricular provision. Some 120 clubs run each week, ranging from Music, Drama and PE to Outward Bound and subject clubs, all aiming to further stimulate and inculcate a love of learning outside the classroom: ‘The Other Half’.  

Sixth Formers lead a number of groups which focus on various political, environmental and ethical issues, including ‘Model United Nations’ and ‘Amnesty’ and ‘Make Poverty History’, and our partnership with the Eden Project is seeing the girls develop a miniature nature reserve in the school grounds.  Girls are encouraged to take the initiative to form their own clubs, with a Medic Group, Law Society, and Book Club formed in the recent past.

The school is very much at the heart of the educational community, and has developed a wide range of activities to ensure that students are aware of their social responsibilities, including Service Volunteers, which works with disadvantaged students and the elderly, and running numerous activities in local primary schools, including language and drama clubs, as well as developing a pioneering peer mentoring scheme with Hampton Community College.   

Pupils are strongly encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities and all staff are expected to contribute towards, and further enhance, the school’s provision.

Staff

The school offers a pleasant working environment, with departmental offices and personal working area.  Tea and coffee are provided in the staff room, and lunches in the staff refectory.  Staff are able to use the school’s excellent sports facilities, including the pool.  The school participates in the DFES Teachers’ Pension Scheme and may be able to offer help with relocation expenses.  Temporary single accommodation may be available.

“The Lady Eleanor Holles School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.”