Message from the Head Mistress May 2020

Dear Friends,
 
As we continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, I am constantly reminded how very lucky we are at LEH to be supported by such a warm and caring community. The generosity of our staff, students, parents and alumnae has been truly inspirational during this crisis. 
 
LEH staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that we continue as close to ‘business as usual’ as we can for our all of our students. Virtual teaching is underway and going well, although the school building is a rather sad and empty place when it's not brought to life by our vibrant pupils. We do have a suspicion that our groundsman rather enjoys his playing fields looking so pristine and unsullied by trainers!

Many of our parents have been kind enough to donate their 15% summer term fee remission to the LEH Hardship Fund to help families less fortunate than themselves. And of course, LEH students have risen brilliantly to the challenge, as you would expect, not only adapting like ducks to water to virtual learning, but also creatively and fearlessly raising money for the NHS and other charities.
 
The LEH alumnae have been doing their bit too, proving that once you are an LEH Remarkable Woman, you are always a truly Remarkable Woman, and you can read about just a few of their valiant efforts in this newsletter.
 
Given the financial challenges that the lockdown has wreaked on many current and prospective parents, we have decided to direct our Annual Fund campaign this year to support the LEH Bursary Fund, so that we can continue to enable as many pupils as possible to benefit from the educational experience here. Funds raised at various events last year, including our very first Bursary Ball, have meant we are currently supporting 58 pupils, with 42 on 100% bursaries. However we know already that the demand for bursarial support is going to be greater than ever next year.

I appreciate that many of you may be going through tough times yourselves and if you are currently unwell or particularly stretched, please feel free to ignore my request. However, if you are able, please consider making a donation, large or small, to the Annual Fund to support our bursary students so that we can expand the positive impact an LEH education offers on our local and wider society.  You can make a donation online by visiting https://www.lehs.org.uk/support-us/bursary-fund. Or, if you would like to support bursaries at a different level please contact our Development Director, Jenny Blaiklock; jblaiklock@lehs.org.uk
 
Thank you for your support and please stay safe,

Heather Hanbury
Head Mistress