--- type: "Article" title: "The 11 Best Schools in Surrey: Entry and Results" description: "The 11 best schools in Surrey for 2026, ranked on results, reputation and selectivity, with each independent school's 11+ entrance exam, the ISEB Pre-Test and admissions explained for parents." resource: https://pip11plus.com/best-schools-in-surrey tags: ["pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/school-choice-pip.jpg --- 馃彨 School Choice # The 11 Best Schools in Surrey (2026) ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated June 2026 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. **TL;DR** - 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. _Most Surrey independents test through the ISEB Common Pre-Test or their own papers. The core skills are the same, and [our ISEB Pre-Test guide](https://pip11plus.com/iseb-common-pre-test-explained) explains the most common route._ ## 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](https://pip11plus.com/iseb-common-pre-test-explained) 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](https://pip11plus.com/top-10-grammar-schools-in-london) guide. 馃摎 Free vocabulary tool ### 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](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/11-plus-vocabulary-games/) flashcards turn the words pupils are expected to know in Years 3 to 6 into a quick, gamified daily habit, with kid-friendly meanings, example sentences and a tap-to-hear guide for each word. [Try the vocabulary flashcards 馃殌](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-vocabulary-year-5) [Pip's free 11+ vocabulary flashcards: a flip card showing a word, its meaning and a say-it guide, with progress and XP](https://pip11plus.com/tools) ## 1 Guildford High School ![Guildford High School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/guildford-high-school.jpg) _Guildford High School - the highest-achieving school in Surrey and one of the top girls' schools in the UK._ - **Who it's for** Girls' school, day 路 Guildford (GU1) - **Entrance exam** The school's own online reasoning and maths assessment in November of Year 6, then a January activity day and interview - **Entry points** 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+ - **Results** Around 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. ## 2 Royal Grammar School Guildford ![Royal Grammar School Guildford homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/royal-grammar-school-guildford.jpg) _Royal Grammar School Guildford - a leading boys' day school dating back to 1509._ - **Who it's for** Boys' school (moving to co-education), day 路 Guildford (GU1) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test (English, maths, verbal & non-verbal reasoning) plus an on-site English task and interview - **Entry points** 7+, 11+ and 16+ - **Results** Around 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. ## 3 Reigate Grammar School ![Reigate Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/reigate-grammar-school.jpg) _Reigate Grammar School - an independent co-educational day school rated "excellent in all areas" by the ISI._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, day 路 Reigate (RH2) - **Entrance exam** The school's own 11+ papers in English, maths and a combined verbal & non-verbal reasoning test, then an interview - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** Around 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. ## 4 Caterham School ![Caterham School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/caterham-school.jpg) _Caterham School - a co-educational day and boarding school and a national leader in educational technology._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, day and boarding 路 Caterham (CR3) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test plus a January "EDGE" assessment day of maths, writing and problem-solving tasks - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** Around 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. ## 5 Epsom College ![Epsom College homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/epsom-college.jpg) _Epsom College - a prestigious co-educational day and boarding school on an 80-acre hilltop campus._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, day and boarding 路 Epsom (KT17) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test, then a January "Engagement Day" with no further written exams - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** Rated "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. ## 6 Cranleigh School ![Cranleigh School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/cranleigh-school.jpg) _Cranleigh School - a prestigious boarding and day school on a 280-acre campus in the Surrey Hills._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, boarding and day 路 Cranleigh (GU6) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test plus interview, a creative-writing paper and group activities; the main senior intake is at 13+ - **Entry points** 11+ and 13+ (main), 16+ - **Results** A 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. _The ISEB Pre-Test and most Surrey own-papers test reasoning, and real non-verbal reasoning means matrices and rotations like this. [Try 11+ non-verbal reasoning in Pip](https://pip11plus.com/non-verbal-reasoning-questions), unlimited and free._ ## 7 St John's School, Leatherhead ![St John's School, Leatherhead homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/st-johns-leatherhead.jpg) _St John's School, Leatherhead - a co-educational day school with a Christian foundation and a focus on kindness._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, day with flexible boarding 路 Leatherhead (KT22) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test, plus a school reference and interview - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** Around 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. ## 8 City of London Freemen's School ![City of London Freemen's School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/city-of-london-freemens.jpg) _City of London Freemen's School - a co-educational day and boarding school in the Ashtead Park estate._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational, day and boarding 路 Ashtead (KT21) - **Entrance exam** The school's own papers in English, maths and non-verbal reasoning, plus an interview - **Entry points** 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** Consistently 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. ## 9 Reed's School ![Reed's School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/reeds-school.jpg) _Reed's School, Cobham - a day and boarding school with a strong charitable foundation, moving to full co-education._ - **Who it's for** Boys' school with a co-ed sixth form (moving to full co-education), day and boarding 路 Cobham (KT11) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test plus two subject papers and an interview - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** A 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. ## 10 Woldingham School ![Woldingham School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/woldingham-school.jpg) _Woldingham School - a leading Catholic girls' boarding and day school on a 700-acre estate._ - **Who it's for** Girls' school, boarding and day 路 Woldingham (CR3) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test plus a creative-writing task and interview on an assessment day - **Entry points** 11+, 13+ and 16+ - **Results** One 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. ## 11 Tormead School ![Tormead School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/tormead-school.jpg) _Tormead School, Guildford - a well-regarded girls' day school with a warm pastoral reputation._ - **Who it's for** Girls' school, day 路 Guildford (GU1) - **Entrance exam** ISEB Common Pre-Test, plus a November activity day and a January interview - **Entry points** 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+ - **Results** Strong 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. **Whichever Surrey school is on your list, the skills are the same** 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](https://pip11plus.com/maths-questions), [English](https://pip11plus.com/english-questions), [Verbal Reasoning](https://pip11plus.com/verbal-reasoning-questions) and [Non-Verbal Reasoning](https://pip11plus.com/non-verbal-reasoning-questions). It helps to understand [how the ISEB Pre-Test works](https://pip11plus.com/iseb-common-pre-test-explained) and [how to choose which schools to apply to](https://pip11plus.com/how-to-choose-which-grammar-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. English Maths Verbal Reasoning Non-Verbal Reasoning [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) iPhone, iPad & Android 路 No ads 路 No sign-up 路 Free forever ## 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](https://pip11plus.com/top-10-grammar-schools-in-london) 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](https://pip11plus.com/iseb-common-pre-test-explained) 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. ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [Best prep schools in Surrey](https://pip11plus.com/best-prep-schools-in-surrey): School Choice How 7+, 11+ and 13+ entry works locally. 9 min read 路 School Choice [The 10 Best Private Schools in London](https://pip11plus.com/best-private-schools-london): School Choice London's leading independents, ranked. 12 min read 路 School Choice [ISEB Common Pre-Test Explained](https://pip11plus.com/iseb-common-pre-test-explained): Exam Types ISEB The online test most Surrey independents use. 7 min read 路 Exam Types [Top 10 Grammar Schools in London](https://pip11plus.com/top-10-grammar-schools-in-london): School Choice The super-selective grammars Surrey families also sit. 12 min read 路 School Choice ## Aiming for a top Surrey school? Pip turns entrance-exam practice into five calm minutes a day across maths, English and reasoning - the skills these schools test. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [Free practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-printables) Free forever 路 no sign-up