If you’re a parent considering a house move from South West London to leafy Surrey, schools are probably a major consideration. Some of the UK’s top schools are easily accessible from areas such as Tooting and Wandsworth, which makes these places a top choice for relocating families.
When it comes to independent schools, the county has a good choice of highly-rated establishments boasting centuries of history, enviable facilities, academic rigour and excellent pastoral care.
Whether your child is looking to maximise academic results for entry into the country’s best universities, achieve their personal best on the sports field or develop their artistic talents, it’s likely Surrey has a school for them.
If you’re starting to look for a school for your child, here are a list of the best private schools in Surrey that you might wish to consider.
Primary age
There are some excellent schools for primary age children in Surrey. These are some of the best private junior schools in Surrey:
1 New Monument Primary Academy
Situated in Maybury, Woking, New Monument Primary Academy is a co-ed primary school for pupils aged 2-11. The most recent Ofsted rating is Good, with personal development, behaviour and welfare rated as Outstanding by Ofsted.
2 St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Epsom and Ewell was rated as Outstanding in the most recent Ofsted inspection. The school provides education to pupils aged 5 to 11 and there is a student-teacher ratio of 22:1.
3 Pyrcroft Grange Primary School
Located in Runnymede, Pyrcroft Grange Primary School is a leading primary school for pupils aged 2-11 in Surrey. Awarded Outstanding in the most recent Ofsted inspection, the school has a strong reputation for high standards of education and has a student-teacher ratio of 21:1.
Secondary age
If you have children aged 11 to 18, you are spoilt for choice with the excellent high schools in the area, some of which offer scholarships and bursaries. These are some of the best private secondary schools in Surrey:
1 Caterham School
Day and boarding, co-ed secondary school with adjoining prep school, in Caterham. Highly rated for its academic success at GCSE and A Level, Caterham boasts an innovative approach to teaching. It is strong on science and technology but with impressive sports and drama facilities, plus plenty of green space. In the 2023 GCSE results, 69% of pupils achieved an 8 or 9. At A Level, 25% of all grades are A* and many Caterham pupils go on to Oxbridge or medical schools. Fees per term (based on Sept 2023) were £7,445 for high school and £7,805 for sixth form.
2 Charterhouse School
Historic boarding school set within a 250-acre campus in Godalming. Founded in 1611, it is considered among the UK top 10. The school recently became co-ed from year nine. Traditionally boarding only, it now takes day students. According to its website, “inclusivity sits at the heart of life at Charterhouse and each year we welcome children from all educational backgrounds.”
3 Cranleigh School
Prep and senior school offering boarding, excellent sports and design facilities, and a focus on more than exams. Based in the village of Cranleigh, the school is a leading co-ed school providing education for pupils aged 13 to 18.
4 Frensham Heights
Progressive English day and boarding school founded in 1925. There’s no uniform, students and staff are on first-name terms and choice is at the heart of the curriculum. Based in Farnham, it takes children from nursery to sixth form.
5 Hurtwood House
This co-ed sixth-form only boarding school is located near Dorking, within 200 acres of Surrey Hills. Founded in 1970 to offer students a “mature, less childish” environment, it is unique in the independent sector for its broad curriculum, and creative arts focus – it calls itself the most exciting school in England. Alumni include actor Emily Blunt and composer Hans Zimmer.
6 Royal Grammar School, Guildford
Rated excellent by the independent schools’ inspectorate, this boys-only grammar has a 500-year history and is regarded as one of the UK’s most successful schools
academically – it has seen 325 Oxbridge offers in the past decade. A day school, it takes boys aged 11 to 18 in the senior school and from three in the prep school. The Royal Grammar is regarded as one of the best private high schools in Surrey.
7 St Catherine’s, Bramley
This all-girls school is located close to Guildford and takes girls from ages 4-18. Rated excellent, it offers a traditional, selective education and is popular for its weekly boarding options, and well-rounded, high-quality curriculum.
8 Woldingham School
Offering day and boarding for girls aged 11 to 18, this excellent Catholic school is one of the oldest girls’ schools in the UK, and a “pioneer of women’s education” with a strong focus on STEM subjects.
9 Epsom College
Epsom College was named Independent School of the Year in the independent school awards, which called it “a beacon of excellence.” Based in the town, and with 72 acres of grounds, this day and boarding school takes boys and girls aged 11 to 18.
10 Reed’s School
This day and boarding school in Cobham is for boys aged 11 to 18, and girls in the sixth form. Rated excellent in the latest ISI, it promises exceptional pastoral care and an education with a strong moral compass, alongside academic rigour. It is set within 40 acres of countryside. Annual fees start at around £27,000 for day pupils and £35,000 for boarding school pupils.
11 Sir William Perkins School
Based in Chertsey, Sir William Perkins is a day school for girls aged 11 to 18. According to the head, it is “a warm and friendly school: we know our students, their talents, hopes and aspirations, and we work with them to develop innate confidence, leadership skills and an ability to perform well with others”.
12 Box Hill School
This day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 can be found in the village of Mickleham near Dorking. It offers A levels and the International Baccalaureate. A quarter of its 425 pupils are international students. The school has a range of boarding options and promises “a warm, caring and inclusive community that provides a ‘home from home’ experience for our pupils.”
13 Duke of Kent School
This co-ed day school in Ewhurst near Guildford was founded in 1920 and takes children from nursery to GCSE. It promises an outstanding education that is both ambitious and nurturing. Fees are around £7,000 per term in the senior school.
14 St John’s School
Based in Leatherhead, St John’s is a day and boarding school for ages 11 to 18 with a good academic record and strong pastoral care. Art, drama and sport are also rated highly by the school. In the 2022 ISI report, the school was described as “Excellent in all areas”.
15 Guildford High School
This Guildford day school for girls aged 11 to 18 is strong academically. Students also excel in music, drama and sport. Senior school and sixth form fees are around £7,000 per term. The school regards their fantastic facilities and wonderful staff as integral to the success of the school and pupils’ development.
If you’re looking at independent schools in Surrey, with a view to moving out of South West London, we’d love to help you sell your property in Wandsworth, Clapham, Battersea, Balham, Tooting or Earlsfield. Get in touch to discuss your marketing strategy today.