Surrey’s top schools have been revealed in a Fairer Schools guide which gives a more accurate picture into the places where teachers are making a difference and going above and beyond for their pupils. Each school in the UK has been included in the index, which highlights staff who are making a positive impact.
Additional performance metrics have also been included to eradicate unfair biases against schools in deprived areas. Two schools from Surrey top the South East rankings, revealed exclusively by The Mirror, with another featuring in the top 10. One Surrey school has been named as one of the highest climbers in the region, compared to the P8 score, which is the measure of how much a pupil has progressed in a five year period.
The region’s best schools also feature in the Top 50 Best Schools in England, which is an outstanding achievement. St Peter’s Catholic School in Guildford has been crowned the Best School in the South East. It ranks at number number 15 in England’s top 50.
This secondary school and sixth form takes pupils from Year 7 and does not operate with a catchment area, but it does help to have children at one of its six feeder schools. With an Outstanding Ofsted rating from May 2024, the school has cropped up time and time again as one of Surrey’s best. The school was named as Surrey’s top school for pupil progress last year.
St Andrew’s Catholic School in Leatherhead takes the spot as the second best school in the South East, ranking 33rd in England. Educating pupils from aged 11 until they are 18, the school was also awarded an Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2024. The report outlines that pupils are proud to attend the school and that the school values are held in very high regard, and shown by attendees who have positive relationships with each other.
Former pupils have had successful exam results and rise to the challenge. The curriculum is delivered to a high standard and pupils receive help if and when they have gaps in their knowledge.
Broadwater School came in 8th in the top 10 in the South East, ranking 84 in England. Located in Farncombe, it is rated good by Ofsted. It’s a highly ambitious school with values of “work hard, be kind, make a difference”. Educating students from Year 7 until Year 11, the school aims to provide pupils with the best possible exam results and encourages attendees to partake in charity fundraisers and in various clubs.
To see how your nearest schools measure up, use this interactive tool:
Surrey’s highest climber was Kings College Guildford which has gone from strength to strength and has a Good Ofsted rating. It’s risen up 1,410 places with the new metrics. According to the Ofsted report, pupil’s achievement and well being are centre stage at the school where they produce exceptional work.
Best Schools in the South East
- St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford (15)
- St Andrew’s Catholic School, Leatherhead (33)
- St Oscar Romero Catholic School, West Sussex (34)
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Buckinghamshire (36)
- Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, Medway (59)
- St Richard’s Catholic College, East Sussex (73)
- Dane Court Grammar School, Kent (74)
- Broadwater School, Godalming (84)
- Dartford Grammar School, Kent (86)
- Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, Kent (109)
Highest climbers in the South East
- Hartsdown Academy, Kent (894) – up 1656 places
- Castle View Academy, Portsmouth (452) – up 1557 places
- Kings College Guildford, (920) – up 1410 places
- Orchards Academy, Kent (621) – up 1140 places
- The Royal Harbour Academy, Kent (2179) – up 852 places
- The Bay Church of England School, Isle of Wight (1505) – up 834 places
- The Charles Dickens School, Kent (604) – up 795 places
- Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, Brighton and Hove (1958) – up 757 places
- Ryde Academy, Isle of Wight (731) – up 744 places
- Weston Secondary School, Southampton (2013) – up 735 places