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What says..

A broader range of abilities than at some, and an approach designed to ensure that all pupils will thrive. We saw teaching that was practical and naturally differentiated. Loads of va-va-voom across the arts. Super auditorium with high-tech stage that can be used flexibly. Brilliant new adventure and outdoor education centre puts Battersea Park to shame. Feels inclusive and non-judgemental. Girls are level-headed; confident without being alpha; not too cliquey. Parents see Woldingham as a lovely school for their daughters rather than...

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What the school says...

Woldingham is one of the UK’s leading boarding and day schools for girls aged 11-18. Set within 700 acres of the most beautiful Surrey countryside, Woldingham provides an inspiring and safe place for students to become confident, compassionate and courageous young women. It’s a place where students are helped to “write your own story” through excellent teaching, boundless opportunities and first-rate pastoral care.

Not only is Woldingham’s location inspiring, it’s remarkably accessible. London is just 30 minutes away by train and Woldingham is only 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport.

Main House, the stunning 19th century mansion at the centre of the school, sits alongside purpose-built science labs, humanities and language hubs, studios for art, drama and music, and a professional standard 600-seat auditorium.

Students achieve outstanding GCSE and A Level results to secure places at leading universities opening doors to exciting careers. Students can choose from a wide range of academic enrichment opportunities, from societies for debating, law and philosophy through to extra qualifications in areas such as mathematics and sports leadership.

Sitting alongside this is an exceptional co-curricular programme of sport, clubs, performing arts and outreach into the local community enabling students to develop a wonderful range of skills, expertise and interests.

Sport is very important at Woldingham, with excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. The hockey and netball teams compete locally and regionally with first-class training from specialist coaches. The tennis dome means tennis can be played year round, as well as on outside courts in the summer. There is an indoor swimming pool, squash courts, fitness suites, dance studio and sports hall.

The beauty and peace of Woldingham in the Surrey Hills makes it the perfect place to board. Boarders live with their own year group in comfortable and well-equipped boarding houses, and there is a great sense of community. The fantastic and experienced team of housemistresses really understand how to help new girls settle in quickly and make the most of school life.

As one of the UK’s oldest girls’ schools, Woldingham is proud to be a pioneer of women’s education. Our single-sex environment is supportive and stimulating. It enables students to be themselves and to grow into independent women who will make a positive contribution to the world.

Woldingham is a Sacred Heart Catholic school. We warmly welcome students of all faiths and none.
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What The Good Schools Guide says

Interim head

Since September 2023, Julia Harrington, previously headmistress of Queen Anne’s School, Caversham for 14 years. She has a degree in history and government and politics from the University of Exeter and trained as a history teacher after working in the TV industry. In her spare time she enjoys sea kayaking, cycling and hill walking.

From September 2024, the head will be Sue Baillie, currently head at Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, York. Sue attended school in Essex and studied history at the University of Leicester before doing her teacher training at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Prior to Queen Margaret's, she was pastoral director at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle.

Married to Ian, with a daughter who will be a pupil at Woldingham, and two dogs. She’s...

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

Who goes where

Special Education Needs

Woldingham is able to cater for students with a variety of mild specific learning needs. The Learning Enhancement department provides support to enable SEND students to reach their full potential; the department’s approach is highly collaborative, involving the student, their parents, and teachers. The needs of most SEND students are met with ‘light touch’ support, provided mainly through the high quality teaching, dedication and commitment of staff and delivered daily in the classroom. Those students needing additional support receive targeted individual or small group intervention by highly specialist staff.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Y
Aspergers Y
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Y
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia Y
Dysgraphia Y
Dyslexia Y
Dyspraxia Y
English as an additional language (EAL) Y
Genetic Y
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class Y
HI - Hearing Impairment Y
Hospital School
Mental health Y
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Y
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Y
PD - Physical Disability Y
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Y
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Y
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Y
VI - Visual Impairment Y

Who came from where


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