Ages 
A school that exemplifies excellent state education. A fully engaged and happy staff lead from the top with energy and expertise. They deliver a calm, purposeful, happy and aspirational comprehensive education, with no hint of the pressure one might expect from a school delivering such outstanding results.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,424 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 313 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Surrey County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Ms Maria Cachia and Miss Lucy Macdonald
Since 2021, joint heads Maria Cachia and Lucy Macdonald who prove the adage that two heads are better than one.
From a family of educators, Ms Macdonald ‘always knew’ she’d be a teacher and, after studying geography at Nottingham University and a
Entrance
A true comprehensive but to stand a chance of securing one of the 210 highly sought after places, families must attend one of the four nearby feeder primaries and live very close to school – furthest distance offered in recent years has been just
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around half stay on for sixth form, with most leavers seeking vocational and academic courses at nearby Esher College. After A levels around 70 per cent progress to a gamut of Russell Group universities. Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds, Bath and Exeter
% 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, 51 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 81 per cent 9-4 in English and maths. At A level, 33 per cent A*/A (62 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
‘We’ve never been an exam factory,’ says school. Yet Ofsted doesn’t rate schools as outstanding without stellar results and the headlines here are laudable, including value added (well above average but with aims to increase this further still). The
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
One of four Surrey schools accommodating a bespoke purpose-built NAS Cullum Centre providing autism specific education and support in a mainstream setting. But provision is severely limited, with only four places a year offered through Surrey County
Arts & extracurricular
‘These bring joy to my life,’ chimes passionate head of music as she shows us a sparkling suite of new rainbow coloured Apple Macs in the music tech classroom. There are two further music rooms, a recording studio and numerous practice rooms in the
Sport
Javelins were being launched across the school field when we visited. Nearby, pupils were practising tennis skills and a stray ball landed at the director of sport’s feet as we toured the school’s sports facilities with him. ‘A little more top spin
Ethos & heritage
Walking into Hinchley Wood School, we were struck by an overwhelming sense of calm and order as pupils arrived for the day. No lackadaisical shuffling along or yawning and only a few rolled skirts in sight – and not a single mobile phone! Throughout
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Focus on enrichment and holistic education underpins school’s ethos which is ‘inspiring learners’. Robust systems are in place to keep pupils on track pastorally and pupils describe the environment as ‘kind’. They tell us they know who to go to with
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 Students in Year 7 to Year 11 are required to place their phones in their bags upon entering school, and they must remain there until dismissal at 3:00 p.m. Phones should not be visible in any school buildings or social spaces, and they may not be used during lessons or tutor time under any circumstances. If mobile phones are seen they are confiscated as per school policy.
Pupils & parents
School acknowledges its location means there is limited socio-economic and racial diversity amongst pupil body but co-heads are fully committed to ‘retaining the diversity’ that comprehensive education allows. Wonderfully comprehensive in pupil
Money matters
Small numbers on pupil premium. One such parent was appreciative her child was always ‘top of the list’ for trips ‘Here you really feel that the pupil premium goes directly to the benefit of the actual child rather than towards equipment for the
The last word
A school that exemplifies excellent state education. A fully engaged and happy staff lead from the top with energy and expertise. They deliver a calm, purposeful, happy and aspirational comprehensive education, with no hint of the pressure one might
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
