The top independent schools in Surrey & South West London
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. Here she identifies the top independent schools in Surrey and South West London – with an eye for more than just the academic record.
Of course, every parent wants the best for their child. But what does ‘the best’ mean? 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. Below are the schools that I feel produce the highest value-added in terms of academic, sporting and artistic achievement, results and all-roundedness.
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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 2016, 91% of A level were at A*, A & B grades and 91% of the grades at GCSE were at A* or A. Wide range of subjects on offer with science and maths being taught at IGCSE level.
Sport is very strong especially in rugby and football. Very high achieving music students – with a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year. Incredible choice of extra-curricular activities, charity and community work at all age groups. Strong ties with Lady Eleanor Holles School (girls school next door) – sharing school buses, drama productions, CCF and many more activities and events.
The majority of boys join at 11+, 13+ or 16+. Entry is via competitive examination, references from the student’s current school and interview.
Destinations to all top UK universities with 25 places into Oxbridge in 2015.
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St George's College
An Catholic day school for pupils aged from 11-18
A popular choice for those wanting to move into a co-ed environment. Academically strong. In 2017, 73.5% achieved GCSE A*-A at A level, 92% achieved A*-C. 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. The extensive school grounds encourage strong sports performance, with teams succeeding at school level and nationally. A nurturing, traditional school with proud and happy students who perform incredibly well.
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Kingston Grammar School
A mainstream co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18
in 2015, 58% A*/A grades and 88% A*/B at A level; 78% A*/A grades at GCSE. Healthy academically especially in maths, English literature, 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.
Very good SEN provisions in place.
Cricket, rowing and hockey are very popular sports choices.
The atmosphere at the school is relaxed, pupils are engaging and down to earth as are the parents. There is a real mix of backgrounds and abilities.
The main points of entry are at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Admission is by selection on academic merit. For all entries there is an examination and interview. For 16+ entry predicted GCSE grades (or international equivalent) are considered as well.
Destinations vary from top universities, to a couple of gap year choices and a training programme at KPMG.
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Notre Dame Senior School
A Catholic day school for girls aged from 11-18, which welcomes all faiths
In 2017, 57% of students achieved A*-A at GCSE and at A level, 35% achieved A*-A grades and 75% A*-B. Notre Dame is a school which encourages and nurtures girls with 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 range between Oxbridge, Bristol, Southampton, Queen Mary, London and Warwick, as well as other top institutions.
You can also check out Suzie Oweiss' round up of the best state schools in Surrey, SW London & Berkshire by clicking here
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Surbiton High School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 4 to 18
The school is based in Surbiton having acquired a large number of buildings. In addition, there are nearby sports grounds at the pupils’ finger tips. ‘An urban school in suburbia’ is the local reference!
Surbiton High excels in producing some of the UK’s best skiers as well as rowers and riders. In fact, sport is at the heart of the school as are art, drama and music.
Academically, the girls are very bright, independent and taught the importance of high achievement. Teaching is exciting and enlightening. Technology plays a large part in their learning as does the importance of leadership and entrepreneurship.
A level grades are 90% at A*-B. At GCSE, 78% of grades were A*-A.
Most parents are working professionals and girls are educated to have the same approach to life. Entry is by assessment tests in English, maths then an interview. The girls are asked to write a personal statement to discuss during the interview.
University applications are mostly Russell Group with one or two Oxbridge candidates.
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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 launch of newly developed and impressive boarding houses. In 2017, 88% of students achieved A*/A at GCSE, with 64% of grades achieved A or A* at A level. The school, although very academic, is not a hothouse. Great facilities for sports. A state-of-the-art theatre hosts performances and concerts. The school was founded to educate orphaned children of the Freemen of the City of London, and still carries that tradition and history with it. Students are relaxed yet polite and respectful.
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The Lady Eleanor Holles School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 7 to 18
LEH girls enjoy great confidence yet wonderful humility. Highly academic, sporty and excelling in drama and the arts the school also has excellent facilities, including a superb boat house. This is the perfect school for confident, dynamic high achievers; everything about the school means business – not forgetting fun and excitement to go with it.
In 2017, 73 girls achieved 100% at A* to C grades with 80.1% at A* and A. At GCSE, 103 candidates achieved 100% A* to C grades with 95.4% at A* and A.
A real mix of families, many with brothers at Hampton School next door. Very good fee assistance – 100% bursaries available. 20% of each year group to Oxbridge; the rest go to other Russell Group universities such as Bristol, Warwick, LSE, UCL, Nottingham, Edinburgh and Manchester.
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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). In 2017, the average IB score was 32. In GCSE, 80% achieved A*-C grades. At A levels, the school reached a 89% pass rate with an average of 310 UCAS points per student. The school also caters for those needing extra learning support. Sports opportunities for all – competitive and non. Entry into good universities as well as specialist courses, and art or music foundation.
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Putney High School
A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 4 to 18
Brilliant girls’ school with high academic results situated between rural and urban life. Suitable for very bright and dynamic young ladies. In 2017, girls achieved 92.8% A*/A grades at GCSE and at A level 63.8% A*/A grades (92% A*-B).
Lacrosse, rowing, tennis and netball are some of the sports on offer.
Perfect school for the confident, strong and assertive. Parents are mainly working professionals – all very happy with the teaching and all round care for the girls.
Entrance at 11+ by competitive exam and interview. At 16+, girls need six GCSEs at A*/A, with A* at AS level in subjects they wish to study at A level.
Most girls stay for A levels apart from a few who go to boarding schools or co-ed sixth forms. UCL, King’s, Bristol, Bath, Durham and SOAS are just some of the university destinations as well as six to Oxbridge last year.
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Cumnor House
A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 2-13
Excellent preparatory school where academic achievement is paired with a focus on moral and character development.
The boys school (2-13) is situated in Croydon and the girls school (2-11) in Purley, with both providing a lively and informal atmosphere for students to thrive and develop toward the school motto: "The true mark of a school is what lies within". Particular emphasis on good manners and pupils display a genuine love of learning that perseveres throughout their academic career and the top secondary schools they move on to.
Both schools offer first-rate nursery facilities with toddlers introduced to learning through play before progressing on to more formal reading, writing and mathematics skills. All children who attend nursery are automatically offered places in reception.
Top academic record with pupils earning dozens of scholarships each year to local secondary schools of the calibre of Alleyns, Caterham, Croydon High, Dulwich, Harrow, Streatham, Clapham High, Tonbridge, Trinity and Whitgift. Superb extra curricular activities help produce well rounded students with especially good music, art and sporting facilities.
Between 2017/18 the senior year at Cumnor House School for Girls was awarded 16 scholarships, while at Cumnor House School for Boys, at 11+ and 13+ pupils won 49 scholarships.
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Caterham School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11-18
Excellent teaching. In 2017, 55% of all GCSE results were graded A* – over a third of candidates (45 pupils) achieved 8 A* grades or better. One pupil, Anton, received 14 A*s alone! For A levels, 89% of students achieved A* to B. This is a top school which does not shout out enough about its achievements: modest, hard-working and dynamic – like its students. Strong in sport, too, especially rugby, lacrosse and hockey. Entry is at 11, 13 and 16 pending entrance exams and an interview. Around 12-15 students apply and receive offers from Oxbridge per year.
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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 2017, 78% of students achieved A*-A grades at GCSE, and 86% of A level entries received A*-B. Epsom has become a very popular choice with local boys and girls from top prep schools in Surrey. The school is known to produce well rounded, confident and dynamic individuals. Sport is very high on the agenda especially rugby with a number of old boys playing for Harlequins. Music, drama and art are also very popular. Around 10% of students are international and EAL provision is in place if needed.
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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 an intake of 990 pupils as of September 2015.
Great results: 80% A*/B at A level (43% A*/A) in 2015 and 60% A*/A at GCSE. Pupils excel in languages as well as business, drama and ICT.
Hard to believe such vast facilities could be found in the heart of town. All pupils encouraged to join sports teams but emphasis on competition is not vital.
Families mainly affluent Barnes residents quite relaxed and a few first time buyers. General atmosphere is the ability to achieve without the stress!
Admission to the Senior School at 13+ is by examination at Common Entrance or the school’s own examinations and interview.
Admission to the Sixth Form is by examination, interview and six or more Bs with As in the subjects chosen for A level.
University destinations vary between very good to top choices across the UK.
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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 the school. In 2016, 75% of GCSE grades were at A*-A, and 40% at A level with 75% A*-B. The school is popular for its performing arts but with its amazing grounds and facilities, even more so for sport. Students go on to all the top universities to study geography, history, engineering and medicine.
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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 78.8% at A*/A grades at GCSE and 42.4% A*/A at A level.
Excellent quality of teaching and full of happy children. Amazing science, languages and design technology as well as IT facilities. Emanuel School excels at sport, art, music and performing arts.
Very good provision for children needing learning support – around 15% have mild learning difficulties.
Majority of parents are working and mostly local families. Entrance is selective – at 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. All pupils are interviewed and need to get 60% at entrance exam. The school looks for uniqueness and not just highly academic candidates. Great discount for siblings who meet the entry requirements. Bursaries and scholarships also available to all. University destinations mostly Russell Group with a handful to Oxbridge.
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St John's School
A day and boarding school for pupils aged from 11-18
Academically strong, but still a school where students achieve great results while enjoying good pastoral care. In 2016, 66% of students achieved grades A*-A at GCSE, and 50% A*-A at A level. 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. CCF and DofE are on offer, as well as an array of opportunities for voluntary work. University choices vary from Oxbridge to Exeter, Durham, Warwick Loughborough, Southampton and Liverpool.
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Frensham Heights
Mainstream independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13-18
For good boarding school type education with a touch of modernism, choose Frensham Heights, near Farnham. No uniform, teachers and pupils on first name terms, yet the mood is highly respectful.
2017 saw 42% A*/A at GCSE and 45% at A level. English, maths, geography and history are always popular, art even more so. Around the school one constantly reads three words: think, create, explore. These sum up the FH ethos.
Just under 50% of students leave after GCSE to attend local/state sixth form colleges. The rest head for university or arts courses.
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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: 82% of I/GCSEs A*/A grades in 2017 and for A Level 51.1% A*/A grades and 83.1% A*/B. The Sixth Form has been around for ten years and is proving to be a great success.
Competitive sports and a great range of extra-curricular activities on offer. Debating, public speaking and drama are very popular. Happy children all round. One or two parents reported that the time spent on homework is too long but most disagree.
Parents vary from professional couples to city executives and one or two celebrities. Highly over-subscribed.
All pupils are interviewed have to sit exams in English, maths and verbal/non-verbal reasoning. Some leave after IGCSE but most stay on and gain places at top universities in the UK and the US.
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Charterhouse School
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 2017, 49% of GCSEs were graded at A* and 79% at A* or A. 95% of Cambridge Pre-Us scored distinction or merit, while 16 pupils achieved the equivalent of A level A* in all their subjects. 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 rock group Genesis. Waiting list: around three years.
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Guildford High School
Mainstream independent day school for girls aged 11-18
Strongly academic school with results to match: in 2017, 96.8% of GCSE grades were A*/A, while at A level 97.5% of pupils achieved A*-B. All girls study Latin for three years and take three separate science subjects.
Guildford High students also excel in music, drama and sport. Throw in a wide range of clubs and other extra-curricular activities, and the result is that the girls are occupied throughout the day.
Around 20% each year go on to Oxbridge, with the rest securing places at Durham, Warwick and other top universities.
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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 2016 at A Level, 42.1% of grades awarded were A* and 81.4% were A*/A. At GCSE, 82.3% of grades awarded were A* and 97.9% were A*/A.
Brilliant teaching, incredibly rich curriculum and happy, bright and confident boys – a recipe for continued success. St Paul’s is a school which prides itself in value added and is strongly anti league tables.
Extremely strong in sport, music and drama and facilities need to be seen to be believed.
Boys move from the school’s prep school, Colet Court or externally – all selected through testing and interviewing process.
In 2016, 56 Oxbridge places and the rest went to top UK and US universities.
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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 2017, 49.2% A*/A at A level, and 66.9% A*/A grades at GCSE.
As well as being involved in the Head Master’s lecture series, all sixth-form students participate in the school’s unique Kinza programme – a compulsory enrichment programme offering a range of over 30 topics which the girls study one afternoon each week.
Parents from a range of backgrounds and cultures. Diversity across the year groups. Extremely friendly and supportive of all girls.
Entry into the school is competitive. Interviews at all levels and at 16+ minimum of six GCSEs required, with A*/A grades in subjects chosen for AS level.
Destinations – some leave after year 11 and around half stay on and get places at Russell Group universities.
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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 2017, 92% scored A*/A at GCSE; 77% did so at A level.
Students excel at science, maths and languages, with options including Mandarin, Arabic and Russian, as well as Latin and Greek.
RGS is in town, but sports pitches are not far away, with rugby, cricket and hockey all on offer. There are new performing arts and music facilities, and each year pupils go on to the top universities, with up to 30 Oxbridge offers.
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Cranleigh School
Mainstream independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13-18
In 2017, 71% of Cranleigh pupils scored A*-B at A level, with 40% A*/A, while at GCSE 68% received A*/A.
Academic excellence aside – each year sees entrants into top universities, including a good number to Oxbridge – the school invariably stars at sport. The choice is incredible: 31 pitches and up to 29 teams competing every Saturday in a variety of sports. Performing arts is another strength, with 70 to 80 performances a year. There is also a strong sense of community. Even the boarders are quite local, resulting in active parental involvement with lots of social activities.
Check out another one of our great education pieces like Suzie Oweiss' round up of the best state schools in Surrey & SW London
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