It all depends on the wind direction. Under the Cranford agreement (which prohibits the take offs over the village at the end of 09L due to noise abatement issues), if there is an easterly wind departures will be from 09R only, with all landings on 09L.
If there is a westerly wind, which for most of the summer is the case, then it's usually 27L for takeoffs until 3pm then 27R thereafter.
Some BA flights get special dispensation to land on 27L out of sync, as it's easier to get to T4 from that runway.
When they were resurfacing the southern runway (09R/27L) a few years back Concorde had to take off from 09R and gave us some of the most spectacular shots ever... think Carnoustie departure at JFK only more extreme!
Those were the days..
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