Best boarding schools in Surrey

All of Surrey's boarding schools take day pupils too, so we’ve mentioned them in the private school section. Everything from flexi to full boarding is available and Surrey’s good travel links – including close proximity to London Gatwick and Heathrow airports – make boarding a popular option, particularly for international families.

Aldro, and St John’s Beaumont are the only standalone prep schools in Surrey to offer full boarding (in addition to weekly and flexi) which, by association, affords an international interest. With no Saturday lessons at St John’s, weekends begin with breakfast in pyjamas and egg collecting from the school chickens.

At Cranleigh Prep, super-flexi boarding means children can board from one night a week up to five (no boarding offered on weekends) or even on an odd night when parents will be out or away. Of those that board at Edgeborough School, most do so from year 5 and almost all are flexi boarders. At Hall Grove School, weekly, flexi and ad hoc boarding is on offer from year 4. Pupils love the weekly theme nights – from bake-offs and bingo to talent shows and laser tag. Flexi boarding is the most popular option at Feltonfleet School where boarders are expected to strip and remake their own beds before breakfast at 7.30am – in return for ‘the run of the facilities’ before a strict 9pm bedtime. With only 12 beds available, Amesbury offers an occasional flexible boarding experience to pupils in years 5 to 8. 

At senior level, St John’s School Leatherhead claims to offer ‘the most flexible approach to boarding in the country’ – families can pick and choose regular or ad hoc nights on a termly basis. Exceptional value too. At nearby Epsom College, most boarders are weekly but full boarding numbers aren’t far behind – possibly thanks to abundance of weekend activities (trips to Thorpe Park, house evenings and bowling).

Located within a half-hour drive of Gatwick airport, RGS Surrey Hills, Caterham School and Woldingham School offer full boarding with largest contingents of full boarders from overseas. All three offer weekly and flexi options too.

City of London Freemen’s School was founded to care for orphans, so boarding is part of the original statute. Around 70 per cent are full boarders (mostly international), the rest weekly and the odd few flexi. At Charterhouse, boarding is more flexible than it was; Sunday chapel is now on Friday, allowing boarders to return to school on Monday morning, and parents can take pupils out to dinner on a Wednesday. In theory, Cranleigh School is full boarding but many go home after sport on Saturdays.

In addition to Woldingham School, there are three all-girls boarding senior schools in Surrey. Prior’s Field School has a small core of full-time boarders and larger cohort of weekly boarders thanks to weekly boarding bus to and from London. Boarding is an ‘intrinsic and popular’ part of the St Catherine’s School experience with one parent describing it as a ‘female Hogwarts’. All-through St Teresa’s Effingham School has capacity for 80 plus a sleepover room that can be booked out in advance by groups of flexi boarders.

A small percentage board at Reeds School (the only all-boys senior school in Surrey with boarding) but the occasional B&B offering is a boon to any child with a match finishing late or parents with work commitments. In co-ed sixth form, girl boarders are a minuscule group.

All-through Frensham Heights School and ACS Cobham International School offer various boarding options from year 7 and year 9 respectively, in co-ed boarding houses – single-sex dorms with shared social spaces.

Two performing arts schools offer boarding in Surrey. At Yehudi Menuhin School, the vast majority opt to board largely due to the long school day, which begins with an hour’s practice at 8am. Boarding is a core feature of Hurtwood House School and something that differentiates it from London crammers or state sixth form colleges. 

Very few state schools offer boarding, but Surrey has two. At Gordon’s School, a third of pupils are boarders – forces families and boys in care are prioritised and these are mixed with some international pupils (although they must have full UK citizenship/UK residency permit) and locals keen for the boarding experience. Royal Alexandra and Albert School welcomes local flexi boarders and full boarders from all over the world. Day places are only available at sixth form.

State special school, Moor House School and College in Oxted, offers highly-praised weekly boarding from year 7, giving pupils the chance to integrate with others inside and outside the classroom.