Ages 
Committed to academic rigour and exceptionally high standards of behaviour, yet nurturing and supportive. Parents acknowledge how lucky they are: ‘It’s the closest thing to private school you can get.’ We say sign up for the complete learning journey if this secondary school is on your radar.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 840 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 109 ·
- Local authority
- Surrey County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mrs Michaela Khatib
Since 2012, Michaela Khatib BEd (Cantab) MA NPQEL. Grew up in Devon, where she attended a girls’ independent school before studying music and education at Homerton College, Cambridge. Was director of music at London boys’ prep school before settling
Entrance
One of the most oversubscribed schools in Surrey, with three applications for each of the 50-60 year 7 places (four form entry) via the Surrey County Council admissions process. These students join the 48 pupils who transfer automatically from the
- Open days
- See website for details
Exit
After year 11 about half progress to school's sixth form but this figure is increasing each year. Rest to local colleges and schools – usually for a wider range of vocational courses or simply a change. The first sixth form leavers went off to
% 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, at GCSE 84 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level, 30 per cent A*/A (52 per cent A*-B).
Results data - % of pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024)
% of pupils meeting expected standard
Pupils are meeting the expected standard if they achieve a scaled score of 100 or more in their reading and maths tests, and their teacher assesses them as 'working at the expected standard' or better in writing.
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
As the name suggests, free schools have more freedom than other state schools to shape their curriculum, but EBacc subjects still form the core of the teaching syllabus here. More unusually (for state schools), Latin is taught from year 7 in addition
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
The 10 per cent of pupils on the SEN register are supported by the part-time SENCo and team of 23 (part-time) learning support assistants. Provision is mainly in the classroom, but there’s a ‘SEN hub’ for one-to-ones and small group interventions.
Arts & extracurricular
The head has former ties with the Yehudi Menuhin School (with which the school retains strong links) and the school’s original vision for music to be ‘a key strength’. No surprise, then, to find music at the heart of the school. Year 7 pupils are
Sport
School assures us there is a huge passion for PE and sport despite some parents desiring more sporting opportunities. Impressive curriculum with PE lessons focused on fitness and conditioning, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and martial arts.
Ethos & heritage
Opened in 2012 as a single form entry primary school forming part of government’s free school programme. Founding cohort of 44 pupils, some of whom will leave the sixth form in summer 2026. A cherished tapestry of those first little hands takes pride
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Parents enthuse about the school’s nurturing environment. All say the small class sizes allow teachers to really get to know every child. ‘I can’t speak highly enough of the pastoral care,’ gushed one, remarking on the exceptional attention given her
Pupils & parents
The pupils we met were a delight – chatty, well behaved and proud of their school. ‘The type you want to come over to your house,’ as a parent put it. We were also struck by their maturity and cross year group camaraderie. Predominantly local
Money matters
School business model relies on voluntary contributions from parents to fund additional costs of opportunities not covered by government funding, eg small class sizes, purchase of instruments, Chromebooks and specialist PE skills training. Minimum
The last word
Committed to academic rigour and exceptionally high standards of behaviour, yet nurturing and supportive. Parents acknowledge how lucky they are: ‘It’s the closest thing to private school you can get.’ We say sign up for the complete learning journey
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Early years provision | Good |
Full inspection: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|
