Ages 
Big enough to offer a broad and balanced curriculum but small enough to know every child by name. Justifiably popular, with committed staff, excellent outcomes and an inspirational music department that transcends the year groups and brings much shared joy to the school community. Head is resolute that ‘there is a place for everyone at County’. But you will have to pay a premium to live within the half mile radius.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,200 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 300 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Surrey County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mr Steve Smith
Since 2018, Steve Smith. Grew up in Ewell and attended Glyn School before studying geography at Kingston University. Lightbulb moment halfway through PhD research redirected him down the PGCE route and he took up first teaching position at Coombe
Entrance
Academically non-selective. Oversubscribed for 180 places in year 7 – four applicants for every place. In recent years, offers made to pupils living within half a mile of school entrance. Parents attracted to smaller size compared with other
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 70 per cent stay on for the sixth form. Leavers usually head to more vocational courses at local colleges while those who stay usually do so because of strong relationships with staff and fellow students. More than one parent said their child
% 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 2023, 40 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 83 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 28 per cent A*/A (52 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 83 per cent 9-4 in maths and English. At A level, 30 per
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
A broad curriculum with strong emphasis on the arts. Setting for maths, science and French from year 7, with lots of opportunity for movement, thanks to regular testing. Everything else is mixed ability. An additional support class is tailored to
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Approximately 14 per cent on SEN register, in line with national average. SEN team includes 14 teaching assistants trained to support specific needs, including speech and language, emotional literacy and ADHD. Pupils with SEN afforded the same broad
Arts & extracurricular
The government’s specialist schools programme disappeared in 2010 but the school remains one of a select group of music colleges, with Julian Lloyd Webber as patron. As you would expect, music is ‘part of the fabric of the school’ and the head
Sport
Two hours a week dedicated to PE; a third of pupils study it for GCSE. Core sports include netball, hockey, rugby and football in winter, and tennis, cricket, athletics and rounders in summer. Lacrosse, American football and tchoukball introduced in
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1905, originally as a girls’ grammar school, the school moved to its current site on Farnham Road a year later. It became a mixed comprehensive in 1978 and was academised in 2013. The original building is a bit of a rabbit warren but our
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
House system is a key strength of the school, creating ‘a sense of family across the year groups’. Every pupil and member of staff (with exception of the head) belongs to one of six houses named after royal households: Hanover, Lancaster, Stuart,
Pupils & parents
Pupils are cheery, confident and proud of their school. ‘They want to do well, there’s no stigma attached to success at County,’ claimed one parent. Ten per cent pupil premium is lower than average and reflects the largely local middle-class (yet
Money matters
Music scholarships (instrumental or vocal) cover individual singing lessons or music lessons on main instrument throughout sixth form. Successful candidates are expected to study an A level music course, participate in co-curricular music ensembles
The last word
Big enough to offer a broad and balanced curriculum but small enough to know every child by name. Justifiably popular, with committed staff, excellent outcomes and an inspirational music department that transcends the year groups and brings much
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: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|
