Ages 
An exciting, energising school, in the top five of the nation’s non-selective schools, yet with time and attention for individual learners, so that ‘every child feels success every day’. Nothing like Hogwarts but what it achieves is just as magical. Do a mile in Mr Rhodes’s shoes and you’ll end up wishing every school could be this way. Not just hands on, but heart and head too.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,650 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 373 ·
- Local authority
- London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Headteacher
Head
Mr Christopher Rhodes
Since 2019, Chris Rhodes BA (Durham). Additional MA in education from St Mary’s University. Also part of management team running the three-school Every Child, Every Day Academy Trust. A languages graduate from a teaching family, plans to join the EU
Entrance
Oversubscribed – around six applications for every year 7 place. Waiting lists in every year group. For sixth form, priority to existing pupils meeting entrance criteria – five GCSEs at grades 9-4 with maths and English at grade 4 or above (for
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Some departures to local colleges and other schools after GCSEs, with most staying on into sixth form. Around half of sixth form leavers to Russell Group universities and just under 70 per cent to ‘top third universities’. Exeter, Nottingham, Surrey,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 50 per cent 9-7 at GSCE; 79 per cent 9-5 in both maths and English. At A level, 39 per cent A*/A (69 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Ethos, ‘above and beyond’, translates into joining the dots – academic and extracurricular – so that every child, regardless of background, has opportunities to ‘expand their cultural capital’.
One pupil’s Oxbridge aspirations (and success) were
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Almost 60 (just above national average) have EHCPs and just under 15 per cent of pupils have SEN support. Dyslexia is the single biggest area of need, followed by cognition and learning and communication and interaction challenges, then SEMH. Pupils
Arts & extracurricular
‘Art room can become second home in free time,’ says a pupil. Music creates similar sense of community, with 300 pupils learning in and outside school (individual lessons in vocals, guitar and bass, piano and drums), school orchestra, numerous bands
Sport
The works. Multiple trophies in reception announce that they play to win, with leading schools (state and independent) in their sights and recently ranked top non-selective school for sports in England by School Sports Magazine (and they should
Ethos & heritage
Few schools in the area, state or independent, can match school’s 26 acres, best viewed from the classy new pavilion, which looks out over pitches, fields and courts, one with a vast logo (‘pure vanity – but it’s drone-friendly,’ says the school).
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
So successful is their approach that the school is now one of three mental health hubs in Richmond, leading support for 8,000 local children. Underpinned by dynamic PSHE curriculum that doesn’t duck the big issues – no-nonsense posters about consent
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Ban on mobile phones in school for years 7-9.
Pupils & parents
While glowing inspections have boosted property prices, school itself is a mixed community. ‘Exactly what you’d want society to be,’ says Mr Rhodes. Around 15 per cent of pupils are on school meals. Some have arrived in the UK after harrowing
Money matters
One-year scholarship programmes for year 7 pupils – sport and visual and performing arts. No financial benefit, but perks – say, free conditioning or strength training, or access to LAMDA lessons.
The last word
An exciting, energising school, in the top five of the nation’s non-selective schools, yet with time and attention for individual learners, so that ‘every child feels success every day’. Nothing like Hogwarts but what it achieves is just as magical.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|
