Every parent wants the best school for their child – but what does "best" mean?
As a former writer for the Good Schools Guide and now professional education adviser and partner with PS Education, Suzie Oweiss has visited and critically analysed a large number of independent, grammar and state schools.
UK schools for more than a decade have been ranked by league tables, but many of the very best schools do not enter the leagues. Further, not one of the leagues measures a school’s ability to love and care for its children, to provide a spiritual, moral, emotional, sporting or artistic education for all its students – let alone build the child’s character.
Here she identifies the top independent schools in Surrey and South West London – with an eye for more than just the academic record. Below are the schools – listed alphabetically, not ranked – that I feel produce the highest value-added in terms of academic, sporting and artistic achievement, results and all-roundedness.
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1
Hampton School
A mainstream independent school for boys aged from 11 to 19
Hampton School is rated as one of the top independent schools in the country. In 2019, 79% of A levels were at A*-A and 91% of the grades at GCSE were at 9-7. Wide range of subjects on offer with science and maths being taught at GCSE level. Learn more about the school.
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2
St George's College
A Catholic day school for pupils aged from 11-18
A popular choice for those wanting a co-ed environment. Academically strong. In 2019, 53% achieved A*-A at A level and 80% achieved 9-7 grades at GCSE. There is a sense of pride and belonging among St George’s students and staff. As well as its high academic standards, sport, drama and arts are a strong offering, too. Learn more.
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3
Kingston Grammar School
A mainstream co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18
In 2019, 66% A*-A grades at A level and 90% 9-7 grades at GCSE. Academically robust, especially in Maths, English, sciences and languages – so across the board.
The school is situated in the heart of town with access to transport and shopping. A new-ish arts centre lends itself as a great facility for exhibitions and performances. Outstanding art, drama and music achievements. Read more.
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4
Notre Dame Senior School
A Catholic day school for girls aged from 11-18, which welcomes all faiths
In 2019, 54% of students achieved A*-A at A level and 53% achieved 9-7 grades at GCSE. Notre Dame is a school that encourages and nurtures girls of all abilities. Girls do very well in textiles, drama and art.
They can learn modern dance, violin or drums, netball or football. The Montaigne Theatre has been a welcome addition to the school, as has the new all-weather hockey pitch. University choices in 2019 included Southampton, Durham and Nottingham Trent. See more.
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5
Surbiton High School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 4 to 18
An amazing school in suburbia’ with sports facilities close to the main buildings.
Surbiton High girls excel at the “Super Eight” sports: hockey, cricket, football, netball, gymnastics, rowing, tennis and skiing. In fact, sport is at the heart of the school as are art, drama and music. View our independent review.
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6
City of London Freemen's School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 7-18
Pupils mostly day, yet boarding numbers are growing after the launch of newly developed and impressive boarding houses.
In 2019, 65% of students achieved A*-A grades at A level and 83% of students scored 9-7 grades at GCSE. Read more.
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7
The Lady Eleanor Holles School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 7 to 18
Highly academic, sporty and excelling in drama and the arts the school also has excellent facilities, including a superb boathouse.
Perfect school for confident, dynamic high achievers; everything about the school means business – not forgetting fun and excitement to go with it. Learn more.
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8
Box Hill School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11-18
The independent school has 60% day students and 40% boarders, with 25% of students from overseas.
Offers A levels as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB). See more.
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9
Putney High School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 4 to 18
Excellent girls school with high academic results situated between rural and urban life. In 2019, girls achieved 67% A*-A grades at A level and 82% 9-7 grades at GCSE. Lacrosse, rowing, tennis and netball are some of the sports on offer. Learn more.
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10
Caterham School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11-18
Excellent teaching in a bucolic setting. In 2019, 62% of A level grades were A*-A and 80% of GCSE grades were 9-7. This is a top school that does not shout out enough about its achievements: modest, hard-working and dynamic – like its students. See more.
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11
Epsom College
A mainstream independent day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 in Epsom
First-class school with first-class achievement and facilities. In 2019, 66% of students achieved A*-A grades at A level and 77% of students scored 9-7 grades at GCSE. The school is known to produce well-rounded, confident and dynamic individuals. Read more.
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12
The Harrodian School
A mainstream co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 4-to-18
Founded in 1993, the Harrodian School has grown from a small school of 65 pupils to a current intake of close to 1000 students. Great results: 52% A*-A grades at A levels and 71% 9-7 grades at GCSE in 2019. Pupils excel in languages as well as business, drama and ICT. Learn more.
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13
Reed's School
A day and boarding school for boys aged from 11-18, and for girls in the sixth form
Although the majority are day pupils, the school has a boarding school feel. Expectations are set high but without pressure. Boys do well and become well-rounded individuals while at school. In 2019, 50% of grades at A level were A*-A and 73% of grades at GCSE were 9-7. Learn more.
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14
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Emanuel School
A mainstream co-educational independent day school for pupils aged from 10 to 18
Emanuel was founded in Elizabethan times for the education of 10 boys and 10 girls and has grown to be a school of high academic achievement with 48% A*-A grades at A level and 72% 9-7 grades at GCSE in 2019. Discover more.
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15
St John's School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11-18
Academically strong, but with good pastoral care. In 2019, 62% of students achieved grades A*-A at A levels and 76% of students achieved grades 9-7 at GCSE. Roundedness is a focus. Academic subjects but also art and drama are considered vital. Sport is important too, with weekly matches against other schools and between houses. Learn more.
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16
Frensham Heights
Mainstream independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13-18
For good boarding school type education with a touch of modernism. No uniform, teachers and pupils on first name terms, yet the mood is highly respectful. 2019 saw 46% A*-A at A level and 23% 9-7 at GCSE. English, Maths, Geography and History are always popular, Art even more so. More.
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17
Ibstock Place School
A mainstream co-educational independent day school for pupils aged from 4 to 18
All students take IGCSE in all main subjects and have to take two languages: French, plus one from German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish or Latin. Results: 58% of grades at A level in 2019 were A*-A and 73% of grades at I/GCSEs were 9-7. The Sixth Form has been around for over ten years and is proving to be a great success. More.
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18
Charterhouse School
A mainstream independent school for boys (13-18) and girls (sixth form)
The Godalming school offers IGCSE, the Cambridge Pre-U and the IB diploma, plus GCSE and A levels. In 2019, 61% of A level grades were A*-A and 70% of GCSE grades came in at 9-7. Students especially excel in History, Maths and Economics. Great facilities have set many Old Carthusian sports stars on their way. Other old boys include the Dimblebys, philosopher Don Cupitt, Jeremy Hunt and members of the rock group Genesis. More.
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19
Guildford High School
Mainstream independent day school for girls aged 11-18
Strongly academic school with results to match: in 2019, 77% of A level grades were A*-A and 97% of GCSE grades were 9-7. All girls study Latin for three years and take three separate science subjects. Students also excel in music, drama and sport. Read more.
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20
St Paul's School
A mainstream independent school for boys aged from 13 to 18
The school describes itself as ‘a selective independent school in West London for bright, inquisitive boys aged 7–18 years.’ And they certainly are! In 2019 at A-Level, 80% of grades awarded were A*-A and at GCSE, 96%% of grades awarded were 9-7. Read more.
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21
Streatham & Clapham High School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 3 to 19
Founded in 1887, the school is based in the heart of South London and offers a wide range of subjects at all levels - all available at GCSE and IGCSE levels (apart from Classics). In 2019, 38% of grades were A*-A at A level and 72% of grades were 9-7 at GCSE. Learn more.
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22
Royal Grammar School
Mainstream independent day school for boys aged 11-18, located in Guildford
RGS is an outstanding school with an inevitable highly competitive entry – around 400 pupils apply for 100 available places per year. In 2019, 67% scored A*-A at A level and 89% scored 9-7 at GCSE. Students excel at the sciences, maths and languages, with options including Mandarin, Arabic and Russian, as well as Latin and Greek. See more.
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23
Cranleigh School
Mainstream independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13-18
In 2019, 39% of Cranleigh pupils scored A*-A at A level, with over 50% of students scoring 9-7 at GCSE. The campus and facilities are second to none and the school excels at sport. Each year sees entrants into top universities. Learn more.
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24
Sir William Perkins School
A day school for girls aged 11-18
Sir William Perkins School (SWPS) is growing from strength to strength, with 51% of students achieving A*-A at A levels and 72% of students achieving 9-7 at GCSE in 2019. It is a welcoming, diverse, down-to-earth school. Read more.
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25
St Catherine’s School
Day and boarding school for girls aged 4-18
Situated in the pretty village of Bramley, St. Catherine’s girls excel on all fronts – academics, sport and the arts. In 2019, 64% of A level grades were A*-A and 83% of GCSE grades were 9-7. The girls do well across all subjects. Read more.
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