Ages 
A big, busy school with a kind heart. Underpinning everything is the conviction that happy pupils thrive and do well. Tangible happiness in and out of the classroom, exciting lessons with plenty of practical work, phenomenal extracurricular offerings, and fantastic relationships between students, staff and parents. All under the eye of the watchful, dynamic Mr Fenton, ‘A great captain of the ship.’
One happy parent summed it up. ‘Children, whatever they are like, have the opportunity to flourish at this school.’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,197 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 319 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £27,795 - £28,545 pa
- Local authority
- Surrey County Council
- Area guides
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Shaun Fenton
Since 2012, Shaun Fenton OBE MA PGCE MEd NPQH FCCT. Born in Liverpool, educated at Haberdashers’ Aske’s and Oxford University (PPE). Having accepted he was unlikely to fulfil his early ambition to play in goal for Liverpool football club, head
Entrance
Around 400 applications for 150 to 160 places. Head is resisting any temptation to move to online assessments. Around 30 per cent join from one of the three linked prep schools: Chinthurst, Reigate St Mary’s and, most recently, Micklefield. Pupils
- Open days
- Working Open Mornings: September, October and November; Virtual live Q and As: September and November; Sixth Form Information Evening: September
Exit
A small number (around 20) leave after GCSEs, usually for financial reasons, relocation, or for courses of specific interest. Post A level, most popular universities recently are Nottingham, Durham, Bath, Exeter and Bristol. A few to art school and
Latest results
In 2025, 90 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 70 per cent A*/A at A level (94 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - 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
High academic ambitions with enjoyment but without undue pressure is the modus operandi here. For the first couple of years, the focus is on integrating pupils into the system and making sure they are happy and settled. The workload and pressure
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
School caters for a range of educational needs and disabilities. Around 15 per cent of pupils access learning support and parents praise both the offering and the way in which it is administered. Pupils with EHCPs welcomed; lifts ensure any with
Arts & extracurricular
Although there is not a massive take up of art, DT, music and drama at GCSE and A level, there is plenty of exciting stuff going on. Innovative drama curriculum focused, when we visited, on theatre in education: drama as a means by which to educate
Sport
While not an obvious choice for the massively competitive and aspiring athlete, there is plenty on offer (a quick tally suggests in excess of 30 sports available). Onsite facilities are supplemented by an impressive 32-acre site at Hartswood, a
Ethos & heritage
The school has come a very long way since its foundation in the 17th century. It now comprises two adjacent sites linked by a short pathway along the side of a cemetery (complete with lichen-covered gravestones and towering yew trees). The main
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
The consensus is that pastoral care is prioritised and is top notch. ‘Magnificently good,’ explained one parent, with staff quick to respond, to act and then to check in with parents after if appropriate. This care is not confined to students but
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 During the school day, mobile phones are not allowed. This helps students stay focused, build friendships, and fully engage in school life. If contact with home is needed, students can use the Wellbeing Centre and there is a short window each day when students can check for important messages from home. Our approach promotes kindness, respect, and digital responsibility and we work with parents to support healthy habits online. As students mature, we allow greater independence to prepare them for life beyond school, with pupils in the Sixth Form able to use phones more freely, in line with our values and expectations.
Pupils & parents
Historically, most very local but, as the reputation of the school has grown, so too has the catchment area and now coaches ferry pupils from Guildford, Purley, Cobham, Oxted and Crawley. This is not a particularly ethnically diverse neck of the
Money matters
Plenty of scholarships of relatively little (if any) monetary value. Means tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent for 15 per cent of pupils (hopefully doubling within a decade). One parent told us that, even for those paying the full whack, ‘the
- Fee information
- £27,795 - £28,545 pa
The last word
A big, busy school with a kind heart. Underpinning everything is the conviction that happy pupils thrive and do well. Tangible happiness in and out of the classroom, exciting lessons with plenty of practical work, phenomenal extracurricular
