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Are you considering a secondary school in Surrey for your child? Despite being one of the smaller counties in the UK, there's plenty of choice with around 200 schools to choose from.
Keep reading to find out which private schools and state schools are ranked the highest in Surrey. Learn about exam results, school fees, and how to apply for a place.
Top 10 private schools in Surrey
Around one in five children in Surrey attend an independent (private) school, with 109 independent schools in total.
Guildford High School is an all-through school for girls aged 4–18 in Guildford, Surrey. The school is ranked 5th out of all independent schools in the UK and has an impressive collection of accolades, including ‘Independent School of the Decade’ (The Sunday Times), 'Independent Girls Sporting School of the Year' (School Sport Magazine) and ‘Best School for Pastoral Care’ (The Week).
Key information
Number of pupils: 1,000+
National league table rank: 5
Fees: £6,949 per term (excluding lunch)
A level results: 98.3% A*–B
GCSE results: 97.2% 9–7
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
11+ entry process: CEM Select exam and interview
How to apply to a private school
If you would like your child to attend a private school in Surrey, you will need to register directly with the school. For most senior schools, registration closes in the autumn term of Year 6 for both 11 plus and 13 plus entry. A registration fee – usually between £100–£200 for UK applicants – will be charged when you submit the registration form.
The top private schools in Surrey are selective, which means your child will need to take an entrance exam to be considered for a place. The type of exam depends on the school your child is applying for – some schools use an exam board, such as the ISEB or CEM Select, while others set their own bespoke tests. All exams test skills in English and maths, and some additionally test children's ability in verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
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Top 10 state schools in Surrey
Just under one-third of children in Surrey attend a state secondary school, with 86 state-funded schools in total.
There are no academically-selective state schools in Surrey. The closest local grammar schools can be found in the London boroughs of Kingston-upon-Thames and Sutton.
St Peter's Catholic School provides a Catholic education to boys and girls aged 11–18 in Guildford. It has high academic standards and was named 'Comprehensive School of the Year' and 'Southeast Comprehensive School of the Year 2022' by the Sunday Times. St Peter's has a unique ethos based on strong relationships, high expectations, and emotional and spiritual health.
Key information
Number of pupils: approx. 1,200
National league table rank: 45
A level results: 87.2% A*–B
GCSE results: 77.4% 9–7
Entry points: 11+, 16+
Catchment area: none
Admission priorities: Catholic children
How to apply to a state school
State schools are funded by the government, so you won't need to pay school fees. There are no academically-selective state schools in Surrey, which means that your child will not need to take a test to be offered a place. However, many of the top state schools in Surrey do prioritise places for children of a particular religious affiliation, children of staff, siblings of current students, and children who live in a particular catchment area. If your child falls into one of these categories, you may need to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) which will be available on the school website.
If you would like to apply to a state school, you will need to name the school as one of your preferred options on your Common Application Form (CAF). This must be submitted to your home local authority by 31st October when your child is in Year 6. You will find out which school your child has been offered a place at on national offers day on 1st March.
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