Top-rated independent schools in Surrey 2023
Thinking about going private? Find the right school for your child, says former Good Schools Guide writer Suzie Oweiss...
Box Hill School
Dorking, RH5 6EA | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 56% A*-B, 24% A*/A
- GCSEs: 20% grades 9-7
Day pupils make up 60% of the intake, with boarders accounting for the rest – 84% of whom are from overseas. Box Hill offers both A levels and the IB. Not an academic hothouse or highly selective, the school nevertheless expects its students to achieve top grades while still catering well for those needing extra learning support – currently 140 or so pupils and others in specific need of English language help. Beautiful, spacious setting in the heart of leafy Surrey.
Royal Grammar School (RGS)
Guildford, GU1 3BB | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 95% A*-B, 80% A*/A
- GCSEs: 92% grades 9-7
Academically strong with rigorous entry requirements all the way to sixth form. The school recognises that you cannot just scrape through the entry exam and expect to do well once you are in. RGS looks for bright students with potential and dedication – Oxbridge and medic applications usually in double figures. Most boys (125) join aged 11, with 25 places at 13; this year, around 45% of the first form joined from state primary schools. Sport is good, music, art and drama too. RGS shares activities with GHS nearby. Strong and very impressive school.
Guildford High School
Guildford, GU1 1SJ | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 98% A*-B, 93% A*/A
- GCSEs: 97% grades 9-7
A highly academic school with great results – very high achieving but does not place the girls in a pressure cooker. GHS produces confident, strong, happy students – many Oxbridge candidates and Russell Group universities. As is the pastoral care provision, sports, art, drama, and music are outstanding. The school setting has a nice balance between urban and suburban, and there is a lot of activity sharing with RGS nearby.
Tormead School
Guildford, GU1 2JD | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for girls aged from 4 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 79% A*-B, 59% A*/A
- GCSEs: 78% grades 9-7
Tormead describes itself as offering ‘Impressive academic results alongside outstanding pastoral care’, and quite rightly so. The school strikes the balance of being academically sharp and having solid pastoral care. Girls get their heads down and work hard – with good SEN support where needed. The school is particularly enthusiastic about STEM subjects and offers several impressive enrichment programmes. It has a very strong sports department with representation across many teams. Music and drama departments are very good, with many opportunities and plans to grow even more. Tormead produces strong, resilient and confident girls.
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh, GU6 8QQ | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 13 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 85% A*-B, 27% A*/A
- GCSEs: 70% grades 9-7
Although Cranleigh accepts boarding and day pupils, in spirit, it’s full boarding – everything revolves around the house system. Many weekly boarders live within a very close distance, most going home after matches on Saturday. With an excellent academic record, a broad choice of subjects and a wide range of co-curricular options, the school prides itself on getting the balance right and creating dynamic, happy all-rounders. Next year, headmaster Martin Reader will pass on the baton to Samantha Price, head of Benedon.
The Royal School
Haslemere, GU27 1HQ | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 0 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 59% A*-B, 32% A*/A
- GCSEs: 80% grades 9-5
A small school which is not academically selective but has a clear entry process testing in Maths and English as well as an interview with the Head. Lots on offer academically and good pastoral care in place, as well as SEN if needed. The school runs a very welcomed and popular Future Ready programme focusing not on ‘what to think, but how to think.’ Sport is strong but not at a high-performance level, although definitely on the up—small, dynamic and caring school.
Reigate Grammar School
Reigate, RH2 0QS | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 with a linked prep school.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 96% A*-B, 79% A*/A
- GCSEs: 93% grades 9-7
A school known for merging academic success with great pastoral care – this is at the heart of everything the school offers—outstanding results and offering of subjects and courses. Music, art and sport are high on the agenda. Reigate looks at every child and caters for them as individuals rather than expecting them to fit into a mould.
City of London Freemen’s School
Ashtead, KT21 1ET | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 13 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 90% A*-B, 75% A*/A
- GCSEs: 86% grades 9-7
Mainly a day school, although boarding numbers are growing. The school is one of the three City of London schools and therefore carries that tradition and history. Although highly academic, it isn’t a pressurised environment. Students seem to achieve at a great pace. Amazing grounds, although you have to delve in a little to see the beauty of the main house, as the entrance can be deceiving. Lots of sports options and a high level of achievement. Excellent in theatre and music, as well as very impressive art. Overall, it is a down-to-earth, high-achieving and happy school.
Manor House School
Leatherhead, KT23 4EN | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for girls aged from 2 to 16.
Results for 2022:
- GCSEs: 52% grades 9-7.
A popular choice for local parents who want a seamless entry from prep to senior and those who want to avoid the stresses of rigorous entrance exams. Manor House caters well for families who prefer a move to a co-ed sixth form. A good choice of subjects at GCSE. The school does not enforce triple science or language options, and plenty of vocational choices exist. Art and music as well as sport are popular too. A beautifully set, wholesome and nurturing yet forward-thinking school.
St John’s School
Leatherhead, KT22 8SP | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 88% A*-B, 65% A*/A
- GCSEs: 82% grades 9-7
In the heart of Leatherhead – as you drive towards it, you expect to see a town-style building until you are met with an incredible Victorian building, which leads you to even more incredible grounds. Academically, it’s high achieving, but it’s not a particularly pressurised environment – it’s more of a school which strives to produce well-rounded students, and added value is certainly key here. There’s a strong feeling of camaraderie at all levels. Sport is important, and there are teams across abilities with matches against other schools and between houses every week. Boys still slightly outnumber girls, but quite a few enter the Sixth Form from local girls’ schools.
Ewell Castle School
Epsom, KT17 2AW | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 67% A*-B, 34% A*/A
- GCSEs: 39% grades 9-7
“Inspire, engage, excel” – that’s the uplifting and appropriate message that greets visitors to the Ewell Castle website. A hidden gem spread over four easily reached sites, this is one of the few schools which truly caters for pupils of all abilities. Ewell Castle has a very strong SEN department which welcomes all who need it, and the school is unique in tailoring its delivery to the needs of the individual student. Sport is a major strength here: the tennis academy was named LTA 2022 Surrey Tennis School of the Year and is ranked third best for UK schools, and there is a thriving cricket academy, too. Drama and art also flourish. Happy and unpretentious, this school looks after all its pupils.
Epsom College
Epsom, KT17 4JQ | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 85% A*-B, 62% A*/A
- GCSEs: 74% grades 9-7
Currently under the interim headship of Sir Anthony Seldon, pupils are expected in six days a week. Sport is high on the agenda – especially rugby, with several old boys playing for Harlequins – while music, drama and art are also very popular. Around 10% of students are international, and EAL provision is in place for those who need it. Pupils are dedicated and work hard while enjoying school life.
Reed’s School
Cobham, KT11 2ES | Telephone | Website
An independent day and boarding school for boys aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 89% A*-B, 69% A*/A
- GCSEs: 81% grades 9-7
Around 800 boys, mostly day pupils with around 15% boarders. Amazing facilities and grounds and within easy reach from across Surrey and London. Reed’s results speak for themselves academically, and one of its USPs is the STEM provision – ComputerScience, Engineering and Electronics. StrongSEN support is in place, and parents seem very happy with the pastoral care available. Music, art and sport are abundant.
Notre Dame Senior School
Cobham, KT11 1HA | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for girls aged 2 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 90% A*-B, 65% A*/A
- GCSEs: 56% grades 9-7
Browse the school’s website pages, and you will read a great deal about respect, tolerance, nurturing and tradition. These words seem to describe the school perfectly. Notre Dame is certainly not an academic hothouse, but entry is certainly more challenging than before. Drama, art and textiles are a clear strength – the performing arts facilities and the all-weather pitches are amazing. Set in an idyllic location tucked away down a country lane, there’s a wide range of clubs and activities with girls encouraged to try everything from dancing to football, singing and chess.
