Our Guide to Surrey
Education scene in Surrey
Whether you’re looking for a private or state school, Surrey is home to some of the best in the UK. With high rankings across the county, you will find top-performing schools across both sectors.
The private sector offers plenty of choice – pre-preps, preps, seniors and all-through schools with a good mix of single-sex, co-ed, day and boarding – attracting both local and international families, thanks to Surrey’s good transport links and close proximity to London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
State school admissions are overseen by Surrey County Council, including nurseries, primary and secondary schools, academies and special schools. Unlike in neighbouring Berkshire and Kent, there are no grammar schools in Surrey; the county’s 58 mainstream state secondaries are non-selective comprehensives. All are co-ed bar two schools in Epsom, and more than half have their own sixth forms. A host of sixth form colleges, with technical specialisations and standard sixth form study courses, are available across the county. Depending on your postcode, selective grammar schools a hop across the border in Kingston, may be an option for families living in north Surrey.
There are more than 300 state primary schools in Surrey, which include a couple of all-throughs and over 100 standalone infant and junior schools requiring separate applications for reception and year 3. Places at the best are highly sought after and get far more applications than they can accommodate. Some faith primaries expect applicants to come from observant families, but not all do, so check the admissions requirements carefully prior to application.
The Good Schools Guide publishes essential information on all Surrey schools and currently reviews over 70 of the best in the independent and state-maintained sectors.
Living in Surrey
Home to England’s largest vineyard (Denbies), a secret inland beach (Frensham Ponds) and the highest point in the south east (Leith Hill), Surrey is far more than a place for London commuters to put down roots. It’s a lifestyle in high demand. With its well-regarded schools and safe neighbourhoods, families flock here for the best of both worlds – idyllic countryside and a zippy commute into the capital.
They’re not the only ones who have cottoned on to the appeal of England’s most wooded county: ancient Bourne Wood near Farnham featured in the epic Gladiator; the manicured grounds of Painshill Park starred in Bridgerton; and the chocolate box village of Shere gained international fame in Christmas romcom movie, The Holiday.
Set-jetting aside (yes, it’s an actual thing), Surrey’s scenery is one of the biggest pulls for those opting to live here. The Surrey Hills are the jewel in the county’s crown, boasting countless walking and cycling trails and a natural amphitheatre, the Devil’s Punchbowl. The North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that stretch from Farnham to Dover, include the summit of Box Hill with its breath-taking vistas and famous stepping stones.
Surrey may be the smallest of the home counties but with good schools galore, we’ve homed in on eight areas where charming towns with their unique characters top the wish lists for relocators. In the more densely populated north: leafy Weybridge for city-meets-country perfection, well-heeled Cobham (playfully referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills of Britain’); riverside Leatherhead with more than 80 listed buildings; and Woking with its distinct modernist architectural bent. In the more rural south: Georgian Farnham with its craft heritage; cultural hotspot Guildford (a haven for chic shopping) and the ancient market town of Godalming. Not forgetting historical Reigate with its beautiful green spaces in rural east Surrey.
Looking for the best schools in Surrey? Our education consultants can help
The Good Schools Guide education consultants help parents from all over the world find the best schools for their children. We have experts across the United Kingdom, each one with their own specialist areas of knowledge. If you would like to know more about your family’s education options in Surrey and how we are able to help, please get in touch – [email protected] – or read about our education consultancy services.
Your thoughts on education in Surrey
Do you have experience of education in Surrey – or indeed elsewhere – that you would like to share with us? We depend on our network of parents and teachers to make sure the advice and information we publish is accurate, complete, relevant and up to date. Please write to us at [email protected].