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Photo of Surbiton High School
Reviewed

Surbiton High School

Independent school · Kingston , KT1 2JT
  • Secondary
  • Girls
  • Ages 11-18
  • From £26,889 pa
  • 1,058 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

For many years the school was perceived as the fallback option at 11+. This is emphatically no longer the case. Offers from some super-selective schools are often turned down in favour of this increasingly popular choice where academic standards continue to be ‘ramped up’ but where sport, art and drama can all compete with the very best. We leave the final words to one of the parents we spoke to: ‘There is so much for everybody. Every subject. Every club. Every opportunity. High volume. High quality.’

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.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,058 ·
Sixth form numbers
229 ·
Religion
Christian
Fees
£26,889 pa
Local authority
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
Linked schools

Headteacher

Principal

Matthew Shoults

Since January 2025, Matthew Shoults, previously head of Notting Hill and Ealing High School for seven years. Before this, he taught at King’s College School, Wimbledon and North London Collegiate School, where he was head of classics, academic deputy


Entrance

At 11+, 144 girls (six classes of 24). Around 40 from the girls’ prep. Others from dozens of other schools. Roughly equal numbers from state and independent with borderline candidates from the former given a little more leeway. Adaptive online maths

Open days
Please see school website for details.

Exit

A significant, but by no means alarming, number of pupils leave at the end of year 11 to sixth form colleges, co-ed independent schools or to study a subject not offered at the school (rare).

At 18, Nottingham, Exeter, Bristol and Manchester


Latest results

In 2025, 86 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 69 per cent A*/A at A level (92 per cent A*-B).

A level - Average points score (2024)

School
47.74
LA avg.
39.94
Eng. avg.
34.45
Data highlight

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

Four languages in year 7. Those with a dyslexia diagnosis (either before arrival or following year 7 screening) can opt to do just three. Two dropped in year 8. Girls are encouraged to take one or two for GCSE. When we visited a year 7 Latin lesson,

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE

Learning support & SEN

The school offers support to pupils with mild learning needs and disabilities – mainly SpLD, ASD, ADD and ADHD - and accepts pupils with an EHCP provided the school feels they can meet their needs and that the school is a good fit academically.

0.68 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
22.25 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Where to start? Multiple impressive drama productions throughout the year with pupils involved in set and light design if they do not relish the idea of embracing their inner thespian. A recent musical, staged at the New Wimbledon Theatre and


Sport

For many years, the school had more of a reputation for producing athletes than academics. This is no longer the case but, as the academics have stepped up, sport has not taken a back seat and it remains outstanding. Pupils take advantage of the


Ethos & heritage

Founded in 1884 as the first member of the Church Schools Company (now United Learning) to provide a high-quality academic education for girls. The buildings, sprawled across a busy junction, have been added to over the years as the success and


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

School has recently been awarded the ‘Wellbeing Award for Schools’ (developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau) acknowledging ‘work being done to promote mental health and wellbeing within the school community’. Although policies


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

In September 2023, the school took proactive steps to help pupils build good habit by introducing Yondr pouches. These magnetic pouches securely store pupils’ mobile phones and remain locked until the end of the school day.

Updated Sep 2025

Pupils & parents

Although many live within walking distance, many more come from further afield (roughly a ten-kilometre radius). A fleet of green coaches ferries pupils from Richmond, Barnes, Wimbledon, Merton Park, Twickenham, Southfields, Walton, Hampton and

1,058
Number of pupils

Money matters

At 11+ and entry to sixth form, a limited number of means-tested bursaries (reviewed annually). No full bursaries: parents are expected to contribute.

Fee information
£26,889 pa

The last word

For many years the school was perceived as the fallback option at 11+. This is emphatically no longer the case. Offers from some super-selective schools are often turned down in favour of this increasingly popular choice where academic standards

What the school says

Surbiton High School provides an outstanding all-round tailored education for girls aged 4-18, achieving impressive public examination results and excellent value added. We are committed to promoting the best in everyone by offering a high-quality learning environment where each pupil is encouraged to identify and develop their individual talents. With a strong academic focus, exceptional pastoral care and extensive co-curricular opportunities, we nurture confidence, resilience and ambition. Our pupils thrive in a dynamic and supportive community, preparing them for success at university and beyond.

Contact the school

Address

13-15 Surbiton Crescent
Kingston
Surrey
KT1 2JT
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Surbiton High School 13-15 Surbiton Crescent, Kingston , Surrey, KT1 2JT
1,058 Pupil numbers
229 Sixth form numbers

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

In September 2023, the school took proactive steps to help pupils build good habit by introducing Yondr pouches. These magnetic pouches securely store pupils’ mobile phones and remain locked until the end of the school day.

Updated Sep 2025
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Surbiton High School and is updated annually. See the review

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 34 8
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 119 9
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 30 9
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 15 9
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 8
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 43 8
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 66 9
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 18 9
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 41 9
Dance GCSE (9-1) Full Course 7 8
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 8
Classical Civilisation GCSE (9-1) Full Course 7 8
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 119 9
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 119 9
Art & Design (Photography) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 8
Art & Design GCSE (9-1) Full Course 30 8

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
41%
LA avg.
35.2%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
47.74
LA avg.
39.94
Eng. avg.
34.45

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.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 7 A*
Sociology GCE A level 15 A
Religious Studies GCE A level 6 A*
Psychology GCE A level 26 A
Physics GCE A level 18 A
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 7 A
Music GCE A level 6 A
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 11 A*
Mathematics GCE A level 53 A
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 8 A
History of Art GCE A level 7 A
History GCE A level 17 A*
Government and Politics GCE A level 15 A
Geography GCE A level 8 A*
French GCE A level 12 A*
English Literature GCE A level 41 A
English Language GCE A level 6 A
Economics GCE A level 24 A
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 12 A*
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) GCE A level 9 B
Classical Civilisation GCE A level 6 A*
Chemistry GCE A level 28 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 21 A
Biology GCE A level 35 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 10 A*
Mathematics (Further) GCE AS level 6 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

SEN overview

Surbiton High School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

The learning enrichment department provides a wide range of support services to students from years 7 to 13. All students are screened early in year 7 and individual assessments are carried out as required any time during years 7-13. Spelling and reading comprehension booster groups at year 7, learning skills programmes across all years, and smaller study skills groups, including a sixth form 'on track' study guidance service, meet the needs of many students with mild specific learning difficulties. Individual or small group tuition is offered to those who may need more intensive support. Specialist EAL tuition and adjusted programmes are available for students for whom English is an additional language and the school has a Korean mentor. Gifted and talented students are identified and a range of programmes are in place to meet their needs.

The school ethos is one of embracing a pupil's individuality, helping her to grow in self-confidence and self-worth and to achieve her potential. Those pupils with additional learning needs are no exception and are supported in a caring and practical way.

Updated Mar 2018
0.68 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
22.25 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
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