Notting Hill and Ealing High School

Notting Hill and Ealing High School is an independent day school for girls located in Ealing, West London. It is a founding member of the Girls' Day School Trust and educates pupils from age four to eighteen. The school is known for its strong academic record and wide-ranging extracurricular programme, preparing students for entry to leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group institutions.

History

The school was founded in 1873 as the Notting Hill High School, one of the first schools established by the Girls' Public Day School Company. Its early location was on Norland Square in Notting Hill, an area then being developed with grand terraces like those on Ladbroke Estate. In 1880, a junior department opened in Ealing, which later became the main site following a merger and relocation in 1939, consolidating operations as the Second World War began. Throughout the 20th century, the school expanded its facilities and curriculum, becoming a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference in 1996. Its history is closely intertwined with the advancement of women's education, a movement championed by pioneers like Frances Mary Buss.

Campus and facilities

The school occupies a site on Cleveland Road in Ealing, near Walpole Park and the Pitzhanger Manor estate. The campus blends historic buildings with modern additions, including a purpose-built Senior School block and a separate Junior School facility. Key resources include the Sylvia Plath Library, specialist laboratories for the STEM subjects, a performing arts centre with a theatre, and extensive sports grounds. The playing fields are located at the nearby Perivale sports ground, providing facilities for lacrosse, netball, and athletics.

Academic profile

The school follows a curriculum leading to GCSE and A-Level examinations, with a strong emphasis on traditional academic subjects. Pupils consistently achieve results placing the school highly in national league tables, such as those published by The Times and The Daily Telegraph. A significant proportion of sixth form students progress to Oxford and Cambridge colleges, as well as other prestigious destinations like Imperial College London and University College London. The school also offers the Extended Project Qualification and participates in academic enrichment programmes with institutions like the Royal Society and the Institute of Physics.

Extracurricular activities

A broad programme of activities operates alongside the academic curriculum. The school has a strong musical tradition, with numerous ensembles and choirs performing at venues including St. John's, Smith Square and the Royal Albert Hall. Drama productions are staged annually, and students participate in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Sporting success is achieved in regional and national competitions for the Girls' Schools Association. Other activities include debating societies affiliated with the English-Speaking Union, Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, and clubs focused on Model United Nations, robotics, and creative writing.

Notable alumnae

Alumnae, known as Old Norlanders, have achieved distinction across many fields. In science and medicine, they include physiologist Professor Dame Kay Davies and Royal Society Fellow Professor Dame Julia Higgins. The arts are represented by novelist Fiona Mozley, actress Harriet Walter, and television producer Ruth Jones. In public life and law, notable figures include Court of Appeal judge Dame Sarah Asplin and former Member of Parliament Laura Sandys. Other distinguished alumnae encompass economist Dame Kate Barker, fashion designer Amanda Wakeley, and Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell.

Category:Girls' schools in London Category:Member schools of the Girls' Day School Trust Category:Educational institutions established in 1873 Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Ealing