Ages 
NHEHS is pervaded by a sense of good humour, with the ability to work hard yet not always to take life too seriously. 'It's learning with fun’, enthused one parent. It is a genuinely academic school which delivers excellent results but with an understated air. Parents say it feels more inclusive and ‘less chippy’ than some competitors, lacking their ‘hard edge of superiority.' It’s a ‘happy, tolerant place’ with an ‘unfussy and unintimidating’ atmosphere. NHEHS is an unshowy school that consistently delivers a rounded education and demonstrates admirably that kindness counts.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 624 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 147 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £27,702 pa
- Local authority
- London Borough of Ealing
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Mrs Allison Saunders
Since April 2025, Allison Saunders, previously senior deputy head at St Catherine’s, an independent girls’ school in Twickenham, for two years. Before that, deputy head at St Helen’s in Northwood. Has also held positions at Haberdashers’ Girls’
Entrance
Very oversubscribed but, say parents, a personalised approach to ad hoc places, with ‘a big shout out’ for the ‘really accessible and kind’ admissions staff. Four-form entry at year 7. Around 45 girls move up from the junior school each year
- Open days
- May, June, October and November
Exit
The number leaving after GCSEs varies greatly from year to year. Most of the leavers are looking for co-ed schools, primarily local state sixth forms such as Twyford, but also some co-ed independents. School is not complacent about its sixth form
Latest results
In 2025, 93 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 62 per cent A*/A at A level (91 per cent A*-B). In 2024, 91 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 70 per cent A*/A at A level (95 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
NHEHS ‘fosters education above and beyond the curriculum’, say parents, especially in years 7-9 before the inevitable constraints of GCSEs kick in. It gets the balance right between creating a nurturing environment and being thoroughly
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Learning support provision has been enhanced recently, with a new full-time SENCo who parents say is ‘absolutely on it’, liaising closely with pastoral and academic teams and providing ‘really proactive support’ including identifying specific issues.
Arts & extracurricular
‘Music is ‘exceptionally good’ and ‘incredibly inclusive’, offering ‘an eclectic mix’ from indie rock to a capella that ‘allows us to express ourselves in whatever way we want musically’, say girls. Plenty of workshops with composers and professional
Sport
Engagement and standard of sport ‘has shot up in the last few years’, with 97 per cent of year 7 representing the school in something. Very successful competitively, especially in netball (U16 team reached England finals this year), cricket (U12 and
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1873, NHEHS is the oldest in the Girls’ Day School Trust family and embodies its feminist values ‘with a really good vibe’. Firm commitment to girls-only education, based on GDST’s solid research and school’s own experience. Its approach
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Extraordinarily brilliant’ pastoral team, enthuse parents, who say school supports girls with a wide range of needs in a highly individualised and very joined-up way. Starting point is helping each girl feel safe and secure to try things out – easy
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Years 7 - 9 are not allowed a smartphone. Year 7 - 11 must put their phones in their lockers on arrival and may not use them unless permission is given for a specific educational reason. Otherwise they will be confiscated for a week. For years 12 - 13, mobile phones should be switched off and kept out of sight during lessons and in the main school buildings. Year 12 - 13 girls may use their phones in the sixth form centre if this is not disruptive to others or to the normal routine of the school.
Pupils & parents
Generally quite local families but good coach routes broaden the demographic, eg to Bayswater, Kensal Rise and Kew. Attracts down-to-earth professionals — ‘people with a love of learning,’ said one — who value good education and intellectual
Money matters
Academic scholarships and music scholarships, worth 10 to 20 per cent of the fees, available for year 7s. At sixth form there are academic, art, music, sport and drama scholarships, usually worth five per cent of the fees. Means-tested bursaries (up
- Fee information
- £27,702 pa
The last word
NHEHS is pervaded by a sense of good humour, with the ability to work hard yet not always to take life too seriously. 'It's learning with fun’, enthused one parent. It is a genuinely academic school which delivers excellent results but with an
