Finding the perfect school for children of young families can be an overwhelming experience. Getting the education of young people right is reliant on so many elements and contributing factors that are related to personality types, interests, academic ability and creating the appropriate environment for their minds to grow and thrive.
The UK has enjoyed a long and successful history of schooling, with the south east of the country consistently producing some of the finest and most recognised educational institutions in Europe. The county of Surrey is a particular standout in this regard, benefitting from its borders with Greater London and its own leafy, family-friendly suburbs and neighbourhoods that have come to define it in recent times.
Our collection of the very best schools in Surrey offers a useful guide to any research that one may be conducting for both primary and secondary age categories.
Reigate Grammar School (RGS)
The Surrey Hills represent the pinnacle of country and commuter life in the south of England and are rightly declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Reigate Grammar School is an independent day school in the wonderful market town of Reigate, which has earned a strong reputation for its academic achievement and community atmosphere. It is a co-educational facility that supports ages 11-18 drawn from a catchment area of Surrey locations such as Guildford and Cobham.
The awards and accolades for RGS include The Times Independent Secondary School of the Year, driven by its commitment to pastoral care and music & sports excellence. 90% of all GCSE results achieved here last year were graded 7 or above (Grade A) and 90% of all A Levels were A or B*. With links to the Oxbridge universities, RGS is a superb secondary option.
Guildford High School
Guildford
The county town of Guildford is another fine example of how the rural landscape, charm and history of the country can align with the amenities and comfort of the modern day, so close to the city of London. The historical element of the town is shared and celebrated by Guildford High School, which was originally founded in 1888 and continues to thrive as an exceptional place of possibility. This is an independent day school for girls aged 4-18 that acts as a guide from an early start through to adulthood in a warm and creative way without ever compromising academic results. A wide curriculum of subjects, particularly in lower years, has a good emphasis on music, art and drama programmes alongside foundational subjects.
In terms of attainment, an incredible 69% of all results in GCSE subjects were marked at Grade 9 for the 2025 cohort. Similarly, at A Levels, 85% were A* to A. Guildford High School is clearly as connected and prosperous as the town that it calls home.
Caterham School
Caterham
Caterham, on the eastern edge of Surrey, has such a breathtaking landscape on the North Downs that it is difficult to realise the town is only 20 miles south of central London. Its ancient woodlands, chalk hills and leafy village atmosphere make it one of the most exclusive residential neighbourhoods in the whole county.
Caterham School combines day and boarding facilities for a co-educational pupil population from the ages of 3 to 18. Its setting on Harestone Valley Road looks out onto the North Downs in a campus of around 200 acres with incredible facilities across beautiful scenery. There is a special emphasis on overall holistic development here, with character and resilience prioritised as high as academic prowess. 2025 GCSE results included 97% between Grade 9 to 7 to demonstrate a quite extraordinary level of learning, and 92% of A Level results were in the range of A to B*. Caterham is an emerging technology powerhouse too, with Apple Distinguished School status and winner of several EdTech awards.
Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory & Choir School
Reigate
Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory & Choir School was originally created in 1949 as an educational resource for the choristers of nearby St Mary’s Church. Over time, it became the affiliated junior department for Reigate Grammar School, with integration and co-educational status fully achieved in 2003. 15 acres of parkland and sports fields now surround a collection of school buildings for this independent private day school that accepts children from nursery age through to 11 years old. Around 80% of children then make the transition to Reigate Grammar School to continue their education in earnest.
Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory & Choir School has a strategy of encouraging curiosity, emotional confidence and compassion in preparation for the challenges of a modern world. As one would expect, there remains a defining tradition for choral music and the arts in general that ties in with academic excellence in a nurturing and secure environment.
Barfield Preparatory School
Farnham
The hamlet of Runfold in Farnham is home to Barfield Preparatory School, another of Surrey’s schools that makes the most of its proximity to a rural backdrop in excellent style. This is an independent day school for boys and girls of ages 2 to 11 that seeks to balance academic stretch with wellness for happy and high-achieving children from all backgrounds. A curriculum of key skills and subjects is augmented by digital learning and sustainability elements and topics relevant to the 21st century.
Barfield has a wonderful focus on outdoor activities and learning that utilise the 12 acres of campus in fun and engaging ways. High rope courses, zip wires and quad bikes are all regular sights here, with a Treehouse Classroom made available when the weather permits. Adventure and academia are the cornerstones of learning at Barfield Preparatory School, and the pupils respond fantastically well in both their personal development and educational achievements.
Doing the homework on where to send your children to school in Surrey is a vital exercise for young families. It pays to start the search early and keep in mind that the overall environment may well have as big an impact as the academic attainment on show.
