Surrey is one of the best places in the country for schools, and almost all of its standout names are independent. The county phased out its state grammars decades ago, so its leading schools are fee-paying day and boarding schools, several of them among the strongest in the UK. Below are our eleven best schools in Surrey, ranked on a blend of results, reputation and how selective they are. For each one you will find what actually helps you plan: who it is for, the entrance exam it sets, when children join, and why it earns its place. These are fee-paying schools, though most offer bursaries and scholarships, and the "best" school is always the one that fits your child.
- Surrey's top schools are independent; Guildford High School leads the academic tables, with RGS Guildford the top boys' school.
- These are fee-paying schools, most with bursaries and scholarships, entered by exam at 11+ (and 13+).
- Many use the ISEB Common Pre-Test (English, maths, verbal & non-verbal reasoning); others set their own 11+ papers.
- Surrey has no state grammar schools, so many families also sit the super-selective grammars over the border in Sutton and Kingston.
How we ranked them
There is no single official ranking of independent schools, so we used a transparent blend of three things: the most recent published exam results (2024 and 2025 GCSE and A-level grades where schools have shared them), academic reputation including university destinations, and selectivity. We also weighed consistency and standing over time, and the strength of the wider offer such as boarding, sport and pastoral care.
Two honest caveats. First, every school here is excellent, so the order separates outstanding from outstanding, and any would be a superb choice. Second, independent schools are inspected by the ISI rather than Ofsted, and results, fees and admissions change every year, so treat the detail as a 2025/2026 snapshot and always confirm the latest on each school's own website before you apply. Pip is not affiliated with any school or exam board.
How 11+ entry to Surrey schools works
There are two main routes into a Surrey independent at 11+. A growing majority of the academic schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test, an online, adaptive, multiple-choice test sat in the autumn term of Year 6 that covers English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Because it is age-standardised and can be shared with several schools, it cuts down the number of separate exams a child sits. A minority, including Reigate Grammar and City of London Freemen's, set their own 11+ papers on site, and Guildford High uses its own online reasoning and maths test. Almost all then add an interview or activity day in January, and most include a creative-writing task. Registration usually closes in October of Year 6. Our ISEB Common Pre-Test guide walks through the format and timeline.
One thing that surprises many families: Surrey has no state grammar schools. They were phased out in the 1970s, so the selective state route means crossing the border into the London boroughs of Sutton and Kingston, home to the super-selective grammars such as Tiffin, Sutton Grammar, Wilson's, Nonsuch and Wallington. Plenty of Surrey families prepare for those alongside the independent 11+, which is why building the same core skills early matters so much. You can see those schools in our top London grammar schools guide.
A strong vocabulary lifts every Surrey entrance test
Comprehension, the English paper and verbal reasoning all lean on the words a child knows. Pip's free vocabulary flashcards turn the words pupils are expected to know in Years 4 to 6 into a quick, gamified daily habit, with kid-friendly meanings, example sentences and a tap-to-hear guide for each word.
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1Guildford High School
- Who it's forGirls' school, day · Guildford (GU1)
- Entrance examThe school's own online reasoning and maths assessment in November of Year 6, then a January activity day and interview
- Entry points4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+
- ResultsAround 46% of A-levels at A* and 83% at A*/A (2024), and ~97% of GCSEs at grade 9–7; among the top schools in the country
Guildford High is the highest-achieving school in Surrey and one of the strongest girls' schools in the UK, named the Sunday Times South East Independent Secondary School of the Decade. Its 11+ entry uses the school's own online test of verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning (not the ISEB Pre-Test), followed by an activity day and interview. It pairs formidable academics with an unusually strong record in sport.
2Royal Grammar School Guildford
- Who it's forBoys' school (moving to co-education), day · Guildford (GU1)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test (English, maths, verbal & non-verbal reasoning) plus an on-site English task and interview
- Entry points7+, 11+ and 16+
- ResultsAround 71% of GCSEs at grade 8–9 and 75% of A-levels at A*/A (2025); one of the top boys' schools in the country
Founded in 1509 under a Royal Charter, RGS Guildford is one of the leading boys' day schools in the country, with a famous Tudor schoolroom and chained library. Entry at 11+ is through the ISEB Common Pre-Test plus the school's own English creative-writing task and an interview. The school has announced a move to co-education over the coming years, with girls joining the sixth form first.
3Reigate Grammar School
- Who it's forCo-educational, day · Reigate (RH2)
- Entrance examThe school's own 11+ papers in English, maths and a combined verbal & non-verbal reasoning test, then an interview
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsAround 44% of A-levels at A* (2024); rated "excellent in all areas" by the ISI (2023)
Despite the historic "grammar" in its name, Reigate Grammar is a fully independent co-educational day school, founded in 1675 and known for being both happy and high-achieving. It sets its own 11+ papers in English, maths and reasoning, runs an extensive bursary programme, and was rated excellent in all areas at its most recent ISI inspection.
4Caterham School
- Who it's forCo-educational, day and boarding · Caterham (CR3)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test plus a January "EDGE" assessment day of maths, writing and problem-solving tasks
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsAround half of all GCSE grades at grade 9 (2024); an Apple Distinguished School
Caterham is a leading co-educational day and boarding school in the Harestone Valley, known as much for its results as for its technology, as an Apple Distinguished School and an award-winning innovator. Entry at 11+ combines the ISEB Common Pre-Test with the school's own "EDGE" day of maths, writing and critical-thinking tasks.
5Epsom College
- Who it's forCo-educational, day and boarding · Epsom (KT17)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test, then a January "Engagement Day" with no further written exams
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsRated "excellent" by the ISI; a strong all-round academic and co-curricular record
Founded in 1855 with a medical heritage, Epsom College is a prestigious co-educational day and boarding school on a striking 80-acre hilltop campus. Both 11+ and 13+ are major intakes, and both begin with the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6, followed by an engagement day rather than further exams.
6Cranleigh School
- Who it's forCo-educational, boarding and day · Cranleigh (GU6)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test plus interview, a creative-writing paper and group activities; the main senior intake is at 13+
- Entry points11+ and 13+ (main), 16+
- ResultsA leading boarding school with consistently strong results
Set on a 280-acre campus in the Surrey Hills, Cranleigh is one of the county's most prestigious boarding schools, with facilities including a golf course, an indoor pool and an equestrian centre. Most pupils join at 13+, though some enter at 11+; both routes begin with the ISEB Common Pre-Test, registered in Year 6.
7St John's School, Leatherhead
- Who it's forCo-educational, day with flexible boarding · Leatherhead (KT22)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test, plus a school reference and interview
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsAround 79% of GCSEs at grade 9–7 (2024)
Founded in 1851, St John's is a co-educational day school with flexible boarding on the edge of Leatherhead, with a Christian foundation and an explicit focus on kindness alongside its academics. Entry at 11+ is through the ISEB Common Pre-Test, followed by a reference and interview.
8City of London Freemen's School
- Who it's forCo-educational, day and boarding · Ashtead (KT21)
- Entrance examThe school's own papers in English, maths and non-verbal reasoning, plus an interview
- Entry points7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsConsistently strong results; owned by the City of London Corporation
Set in the 57-acre Ashtead Park estate and owned by the City of London Corporation, Freemen's is a co-educational day and boarding school known for its broad, grounded culture and generous bursaries at every entry point. Its 11+ entry uses the school's own English, maths and non-verbal reasoning papers and an interview.
9Reed's School
- Who it's forBoys' school with a co-ed sixth form (moving to full co-education), day and boarding · Cobham (KT11)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test plus two subject papers and an interview
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsA strong, well-rounded school with a notable charitable foundation
Founded in 1813 as a charity for children who had lost a parent, Reed's keeps that mission alive through funded "Foundationer" places. It is a boys' day and boarding school with a co-educational sixth form, now moving to full co-education with girls joining Year 7 from 2027. Entry at 11+ combines the ISEB Common Pre-Test with two subject papers and an interview.
10Woldingham School
- Who it's forGirls' school, boarding and day · Woldingham (CR3)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test plus a creative-writing task and interview on an assessment day
- Entry points11+, 13+ and 16+
- ResultsOne of the leading Catholic girls' boarding schools in the South East
Set on a 700-acre estate with its own railway connection to London, Woldingham is one of the leading Catholic girls' boarding and day schools in the South East, welcoming all faiths. Entry at 11+ is through the ISEB Common Pre-Test plus a creative-writing task and interview, and its transport links make it popular with weekly boarders.
11Tormead School
- Who it's forGirls' school, day · Guildford (GU1)
- Entrance examISEB Common Pre-Test, plus a November activity day and a January interview
- Entry points4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+
- ResultsStrong academic results for a smaller girls' school, with a warm pastoral reputation
Tormead is a smaller girls' day school in Guildford, often the close alternative to neighbouring Guildford High, with a strong pastoral reputation and automatic scholarship consideration for every 11+ candidate. Entry is through the ISEB Common Pre-Test, an activity day and an interview.
Across the ISEB Common Pre-Test and the schools' own papers, it comes down to English, maths and reasoning. Pip builds all four with unlimited, exam-style questions and free downloadable papers - Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. It helps to understand how the ISEB Pre-Test works and how to choose which schools to apply to.
One free app for every school on this list
Surrey's schools test some mix of English, maths and reasoning. Pip turns them into five calm minutes a day - adaptive, exam-style, and genuinely free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Surrey?+
By recent results, Guildford High School (girls) sits at the top of the Surrey academic tables and is one of the strongest schools in the country, with Royal Grammar School Guildford the leading boys' school. The "best" school, though, is the one that fits your child, so weigh location, culture, day or boarding, and the entrance route too.
How do you get into a private school in Surrey?+
Register your child in Year 6, usually by October, then sit the first-stage assessment. Many Surrey independents use the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning); others, such as Reigate Grammar and City of London Freemen's, set their own 11+ papers, and Guildford High uses its own online test. Most then add an interview or activity day in January.
Does Surrey have grammar schools?+
No. Surrey has no state grammar schools; they were phased out in the 1970s. Families who want the selective state route usually sit the super-selective grammars just over the border in Sutton and Kingston, such as Tiffin, Sutton Grammar, Wilson's, Nonsuch and Wallington, often preparing for those alongside the independent 11+. See our top London grammar schools guide.
What is the ISEB Common Pre-Test?+
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive, multiple-choice test sat in the autumn term of Year 6. It covers English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, is age-standardised, and can be shared with several schools, so it is widely used by Surrey independents as the first stage of 11+ (and 13+) entry. Our ISEB Pre-Test guide has the full detail.
How much do private schools in Surrey cost?+
Day fees at the leading Surrey independents typically run to roughly 26,000 to 31,000 pounds a year, with boarding considerably higher. Fees change each year and now include VAT, so check each school's own fees page. Most offer means-tested bursaries and academic, music or sport scholarships, so it is always worth asking directly.
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