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Private schools in Surrey

By Atom | Dec 22, 2023, 12:49 PM

A complete guide to independent schools in Surrey

Are you considering a private school in Surrey for your child? There are more than 30 independent secondary schools in the county.

Find out everything you need to know about private schools in Surrey, including fees, exam results, and how to apply for a place.

What are the best private schools in Surrey?

Surrey is home to some of the country's top schools. The following 10 private senior schools are ranked the best in Surrey for 2024 based on recent exam results. These schools are also within the top 100 private schools in the UK.

  1. Guildford High School

  2. Royal Grammar School, Guildford

  3. Reigate Grammar School

  4. St Catherine's, Bramley

  5. City of London Freemen's School

  6. Epsom College

  7. Caterham School

  8. Reed's School

  9. Sir William Perkins’s School

  10. St George’s Weybridge

How much do private schools cost in Surrey?

Fees vary between schools, but the cost of independent education in Surrey is above the national average. They range from £6,325–£12,789 per term for day pupils and from £8,430–£15,845 per term for boarding. The cheapest private school in Surrey is Tormead School, and the most expensive is Charterhouse.

We've included the 2023–2024 fees for private senior schools in Surrey below.

What's included in the school fees?

Independent school fees always include the cost of teaching. Some of the fees which might be charged separately include school lunch and exams (e.g. GCSEs, A levels and the IB Diploma). If your child goes to a boarding school, the fees usually include the full cost of boarding (lodging, meals etc.).

Before you register your child for a school, it's best to check exactly what's included in the fees. You will usually need to pay a non-refundable registration fee on application (often £100–£300) and a deposit when you accept an offer.

Help with school fees in Surrey

Most private schools in Surrey offer financial assistance to children who meet certain criteria. The most common type of assistance is a bursary, which is means-tested. Lots of schools also offer scholarships, but these are based on talent and are not means-tested.

Bursaries are a type of means-tested financial assistance. They're normally offered on a sliding scale, so children from lower-income families receive more support. Eligible children still need to meet the school's entrance criteria.

Most private schools in Surrey offer bursaries that can cover up to 100% of school fees. Some also help with the other costs of private education, such as school uniforms, lunch, transport, and extracurricular activities.

If you think your child might be eligible for a bursary, you'll need to complete a bursary application form for your target school. This will involve supplying detailed financial evidence. You might also have a home visit from a member of the school's bursary team.

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Private girls' schools in Surrey

Day school in Guildford for girls aged 4–18.

  • Address: Guildford High School, London Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1SJ

  • Number of students: 1,000+

  • Fees per term: £6,949

  • Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries

  • 11+ scholarships: academic and music

  • A level results (2023): 98% A*–B

  • GCSE results (2023): 97.2% A*/A/9/8/7

  • National rank: 2

  • 11+ exam: CEM Select

Private boys' schools in Surrey

Day school in Shepperton for boys aged 11–18 with a mixed sixth form.

  • Address: Halliford School, Russell Road, Shepperton, Surrey, TW17 9HX

  • Number of students: 450+

  • Fees per term: £6,950

  • Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and sibling discount

  • Scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport

  • A level results (2023): 60% A*–B

  • GCSE results (2023): 97% 9–6 (A*–C)

  • 11+ exam: English and maths (written), verbal and non-verbal reasoning (online)

Private co-educational schools in Surrey

Day and boarding school in Dorking for ages 11–18.

  • Address: Box Hill School, Old London Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6EA

  • Number of students: approx. 400

  • Fees per term: £7,585 (day pupils), £9,350–£13,706 (boarding pupils)

  • Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries

  • 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, and sport

  • A level results (2023): 46% A*–B

  • IB results (2023): 32 average points

  • GCSE results (2023): 22% A*/A/9/8/7

  • National rank: 31

  • 11+ exam: English and maths

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