Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School offers a vibrant educational environment where academic excellence and personal growth thrive. With a commitment to fostering a love o...
About Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School was founded in 1884 by a group of Anglican clergymen who had instituted the Church Schools Company — today the United Church Schools Trust within United Learning — with the explicit aim of providing "superior education for girls in accordance with the principles of the Church of England." Surbiton was the Company's first foundation, and the school has retained its Anglican identity while welcoming pupils of all faiths and none.
The school operates a Diamond Model: girls are educated from ages 4-18 (Girls' Preparatory School and the Senior School and Sixth Form), and boys from 4-11 in a separate Boys' Preparatory School on the Charles Burney House and Avenue Elmers sites. The seven Surbiton sites — Boys' Prep, Girls' Prep, Senior School, Sixth Form Centre, the Surbiton Assembly Rooms (a Grade II listed Victorian concert hall now used as the school's main performance venue), Mary Bennett House and sports grounds at Hinchley Wood and Oaken Lane — make Surbiton High one of the most distributed independent schools in south-west London.
Academic provision is broad and outcome-focused. The senior school's seven houses are named after pioneering women — Austen, Curie, Fonteyn, Nightingale, Pankhurst, Parks and Teresa — and the school's pastoral programme centres on what the staff describe as "resilient, articulate, public-spirited young women." Sixth-form A-Level results consistently exceed the national independent-school average, and the school is a strong feeder to Oxbridge, the Russell Group, medical schools and the major conservatoires.
Since January 2025 the principal has been Matthew Shoults, previously of the Royal Grammar School Worcester. The school is a member of the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) and operates a substantial bursary programme via the United Learning trust.
Programmes & strengths
University destinations
Memberships & accreditations
Pupil breakdown
- Boys
- 223 (14%)
- Girls
- 1,395 (86%)
- SEN support
- 360 (22.3%)
- SEN EHCP
- 11 (0.7%)
Notable alumni
Frequently asked questions
What type of school is Surbiton High School?
Surbiton High School is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 4 to 18, located near Kingston upon Thames in Surrey. The school offers education from Pre-Prep through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to Surbiton High School?
Most families apply to Surbiton High School 1–2 years before entry, with a process that can include tests, interviews and school reports. See the private school admissions timeline for when to apply and what to expect. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/uk-private-school-admissions-timeline
What are the fees at Surbiton High School?
The cost of attending Surbiton High School typically ranges around £5,680–£8,962 per term, with variations based on age and boarding.
Is Surbiton High School a day or boarding school?
Surbiton High School is a day school.
Is Surbiton High School selective?
Admissions to Surbiton High School are selective, with entry based on overall fit and, where relevant, academic assessment.