Surrey is home to some of the best schools in the UK, offering a wealth of excellent options for both primary and secondary education. Whether you’re looking for a state-funded or independent school, Surrey provides top-tier academic and extracurricular opportunities for every little family member from the youngest all the way through to A’level and beyond.
At Craven House, we often welcome families visiting the area to explore potential schools in Surrey and south west London, and get a feel for our neighbourhoods. We know how important this decision is, so we’ve put together this guide to help answer key questions about Surrey schools, including how places are allocated, school open days, and application deadlines. We’ve also included a quick list of some of the top primary and secondary schools in the area which we hope might be helpful. If your questions aren’t answered in this blog post please do feel free to reach out to us and we will do what we can to help.
How are school places allocated in Surrey?
School places in Surrey are allocated by the local council for state schools; independent schools have their own admissions processes. For state schools, priority is usually given based on whether there are siblings already at the school, distance of the child’s home from school and further specific admission criteria. It would be worth contacting each school you are interested in to get more information as church schools, for example, sometimes require affiliation with their associated church. Some selective schools will have entrance exams.
For independent schools, you can apply with the school, for state schools you will need to apply through the council. There are set application windows – October – November, with places offered in April, for reception, primary and year three places, and September – October with places offered in March for secondary schools. If you are looking to join a school outside of these application periods this will be considered an ‘in-year application’ and will have a different process – the Surrey council website has plenty of information to help you with that.
For independent schools, applications are often made directly to the school, with assessments and interviews forming part of the admissions process.
When are Surrey school open days?
Most schools hold open days in the autumn term, allowing prospective families to tour the facilities, meet staff, and learn about the curriculum. Some schools also offer individual visits or virtual open events. It’s worth making a list of all the schools you would like to visit and then contacting them to find out more about their open days and visitor policies as you might be able to squeeze in a few during your visit and some of them require booking in advance.
Top Primary and Secondary Schools
Here is a quick summary of some of the top primary and secondary schools in Surrey and south west London. These are all reachable from Craven House which would provide a great base for your visits.
Independent Primary Schools
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Danes Hill School, Oxshott – A leading co-ed prep school with an exceptional academic record, strong extracurriculars, and beautiful grounds.
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Felton Fleet, Cobham – A co-ed prep school offering an engaging and broad curriculum with excellent facilities for sports, music, and drama.
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Hampton Court House, East Molesey – A unique independent school with a bilingual early years program and a focus on creativity and individuality.
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Twickenham Prep – A small, family-oriented prep school with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and extracurricular activities.
Independent Secondary Schools in Surrey
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St John’s School, Leatherhead – A top-performing co-ed day and boarding school with an excellent academic and extracurricular reputation.
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The ACS International School, Cobham – Offers the International Baccalaureate and a US high school diploma, ideal for international families.
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Claremont Fan Court School, Esher – An all-through co-ed school with a nurturing environment and a strong emphasis on individual development.
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St George’s Weybridge – A Catholic all-through school renowned for its academic excellence and community ethos.
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Hampton School – A prestigious boys’ school known for academic achievements, music, and extracurricular excellence.
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Kingston Grammar School – A co-ed secondary school with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and outstanding academic results.
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Reed’s School, Cobham – A co-ed independent school with a strong reputation for STEM, arts, and pastoral care.
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Guildford High School for Girls – One of the UK’s leading girls’ schools, regularly topping academic league tables.
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Royal Grammar School, Guildford – A highly selective boys’ school with a rich history and a strong Oxbridge success rate.
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Radnor House, Twickenham – A high-achieving independent co-ed school with a strong emphasis on personalized learning.
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Epsom College – A renowned co-ed school offering a broad curriculum and outstanding extracurricular opportunities.
Surrey and South West London offer a wealth of outstanding schools to choose from, whether you’re considering a move to the area or simply exploring options for your child’s education. We understand that finding the perfect school is a significant decision, and we’re here to make your stay in Surrey as smooth and comfortable as possible while you explore your options.
If you have any questions about relocating or need a comfortable base while visiting schools, we’re happy to help. Just drop us a message and we will do what we can.
We look forward to seeing you soon, until then, enjoy the longer evenings!
