MEET THE HEADMISTRESS
Founded in 1850 by the intrepid Frances Buss, pioneer of women’s education, NLCS has a remarkable history as one of the very first centres of academic excellence for girls in the UK.
Today, we continue to embrace a spirit of scholarly enquiry and creative endeavour, led by a community of staff and pupils who relish learning. Our mission is to provide an inspirational education to enable our pupils to become young women of influence and impact.
From the earliest years, we teach our pupils to think for themselves and to be intellectually courageous. The development of emotional intelligence and character is just as important. Our pupils’ personal development and pastoral care are supported by our relentless investment in individual growth. Pastoral groups in our co-tutor system are small, typically no more than 10-12 pupils, to enable our teachers to get to know girls as individuals. Relationships between staff and pupils are characterised by mutual respect and warmth.
We are inspired by our heritage of academically ambitious teaching but empowered by modernity. Our aim is that, as adults, our pupils will have the intellectual curiosity and personal resilience to adapt to and shape an increasingly fast-paced and dynamic world. This is an exciting time for the school as we prepare to open our new innovation hub in Summer 2024, a space designed to facilitate creative thinking, pioneering use of technology and interdisciplinary learning. A space that will place NLCS at the heart of a web of deep connections to the wider world.
Our vibrant co-curricular and academic enrichment programmes are an integral part of the NLCS experience. Many of our societies are led by pupils and reflect their interests. Throughout their time at the school, pupils regularly have the chance to hear from outside speakers, including our impressive alumnae. Weekly lectures from Year 11 upwards widen our pupils’ perspectives.
As part of our whole school approach to flourishing, our aim is that every NLCS pupil should participate in regular physical activity. We have a rich programme for the creative and performing arts and benefit from outstanding sporting facilities. Our beautiful grounds with a Grade II listed building and gardens, the lake, our forest school for younger girls, and our distinctive cedar trees provide our community with much-needed green space to relax and play in.
We admit girls from all over London and its outskirts and are a short walk or quick shuttle bus service away from several tube stations. We also offer an extensive coach service across London and beyond. We offer fully funded bursaries, and just under 1 in 10 of our pupils currently receives financial assistance.
Please come to visit us to experience the school in action and to meet our pupils and staff. I very much look forward to meeting you.
Vicky Bingham
Headmistress
Vicky Bingham joined NLCS in September 2023 as its 10th Headmistress. She has spent her career working in high flying 4-18 girls’ schools and is deeply committed to empowering young women. This is her second headship, having previously led South Hampstead High School GDST for over six years. Prior to that, she was Deputy Head (Academic) at Guildford High School and before that Head of Classics at St Catherine’s School, Bramley. She has a Classics degree from Oxford and a PGCE from Cambridge. She was educated abroad at the European School of Brussels. Vicky has been a governor in settings as varied as a 10,000 strong FE college and a leading boys’ prep school. She currently serves on the Governing Bodies of Harris Academy in Tottenham, Berkhamsted School and The Hall School in Hampstead. As a keen, though frequently injured runner, she is delighted to join a school with such beautiful outdoor space and even a cross-country trail.
