Talented & Aspiring Programme

The Talented & Aspiring Athlete Programme (TAP) is LEH’s development-focused initiative designed to support students who are committed to sport and keen to progress their performance. It provides tailored athletic development, expert guidance, and holistic support to help student-athletes thrive both physically and academically. 

TAP is open to students in all year groups in the Senior School who are actively engaged in sport and motivated to develop further. This includes athletes competing at regional, county, or national level, as well as those aspiring to reach higher levels of performance. 

Prospective Year 7 pupils can apply to be selected for direct entry to the TAP Programme as part of the Admissions process. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a TAP Assessment Day. 

1. Complete the Application Form indicating that you would like to be considered for entry into the TAP programme.
   
2. All applicants take the ISEB Common Pre-Test, either at LEH or their current school. 
3. All applicants are invited to LEH to sit a Problem-Solving Entrance Examination. 
4. Successful candidates will be invited to interview and invited to complete the TAP application form. Shortlisted TAP candidates will be invited to a TAP Assessment Day. 
5. Every candidate’s result from 2, 3 and 4 are reviewed by the LEH Admissions Panel. 
6. Parents will be notified about a TAP placement at the same time as the school offer. 

Starting TAP in Year 7 allows students to build strong foundations early. Your daughter will benefit from access to the following from the outset of their senior school journey: 

• Strength and conditioning sessions once a week in our state-of-the-art Athletic Development Suite. 
• Education around nutrition, mindset, and injury prevention through a programme of visiting expert speakers. 
• Personalised guidance to support long-term athletic development. 
• A supportive environment that encourages ambition while also understanding the importance of personal wellbeing. 
• On-site physiotherapy during the school day, with rehabilitation plans available if needed. 

Research shows that early involvement in all these areas helps enhance children’s ability to pick up sport specific skills, master sport tactics, and reduce the likelihood of sports-related injury.

Yes. TAP is an ongoing programme, and students can express interest at any time during their Senior School years. Entry is not restricted to Year 7, and pupils may join as their sporting commitment, performance level, or aspirations develop. 

Following completion of the TAP Application Form, short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a TAP assessment session. Short-list selection is not based purely on performance in one specific sport, instead we look at: 

• Current engagement with sport generally.
• Level of competition (regional, county, national, or pathway). 
• General athletic ability 

The Assessment Day will look at athletic ability, coordination, teamwork and attitude on and off the field. 

The TAP programme is inclusive and supportive, recognising potential as well as current achievement. 

TAP offers two tiers to ensure support is appropriate and personalised: 

Tier 1 

For athletes on or close to national pathways who are committed to year-round training and competition. 

Tier 2 

For athletes competing at regional or county level who are beginning to specialise while still exploring multiple sports. For younger Tier 2 pupils, inclusion is not sport-specific but about general development. 

Both tiers receive tailored support aligned with their needs and goals.

There is no additional cost to be part of the TAP Programme. Any optional activities that incur extra costs will be communicated clearly in advance. 

Absolutely. LEH offers excellent sporting opportunities for all students, regardless of TAP involvement. TAP is designed to enhance support for those seeking a more specialised, performance-focused pathway, but it is not a requirement for high-level participation or success in school sport.  

We have some amazing Sports alumnae, many of whom visit us for talks and mentorship sessions including, Louise Kingsley, Class of 1984, who has spent more than 20 years in sport, initially as a successful rowing coach and then running the governing body’s performance pathway and Paralympic programme. She was awarded an MBE in 2026 for contribution to Rowing; Louisa Stoney, Class of 2020 who has represented Great Britain in running; Cece Green, Class of 2018, GB Lacrosse Team player; Maddy Nutt, Class of 2016, a hugely successful professional gravel bike racer; and Alys Thomas, Class of 2009, Commonwealth Swimming Champion and Olympic Team GB member. 

Unlike many sports scholarships which focus on one sport and a child’s ability at 11/12, TAP is distinct in its holistic, development-led approach. Research shows that age 11 is not generally a peak age for sporting performance. Girls’ bodies are still developing major physical systems (muscle, bone, hormones) throughout adolescence and therefore optimum sporting performance can be later for many children. 

Rather than focusing solely on one individual sport, TAP prioritises: 

• Long-term athletic development – a pupil can enter the programme at any point, not just following the 11+ TAP assessment.
• Education around wellbeing, nutrition and mindset. 
• Personalised mentorship. 
• Integration with academic life. 

It is designed to support the whole athlete, helping students progress sustainably while continuing to thrive academically. 

TAP sessions are scheduled mainly during lunchtimes however, if there are sessions after school, such as inspirational talks, these will be scheduled so that pupils will be able to catch late coaches if required.  

We have just over 110 across the seven year groups, with 10 pupils on Tier 1 as part of National pathways. These pupils we support to a greater degree, providing more of the one-to-one mentorship/external stakeholder communication.