Surrey Schools Excel: GCSE Results Show Clear Winners
St Andrews Leads the Way Across Surrey
Parents across Surrey who are finalising secondary school applications this week have a clear winner to consider. St Andrews Catholic School in Leatherhead has emerged as the county's top-performing secondary, with results that significantly outpace the national average. The comprehensive school achieved a remarkable 83.7% pass rate in English and Maths at GCSE level—nearly double the state school average of 46.3%. Even more impressively, 95.9% of students at the school gained at least five GCSEs, demonstrating consistent achievement across the board. The school's success reflects its commitment to high expectations, discipline, and structured learning that has made it a destination for families across the region. For parents weighing options between Leatherhead and surrounding areas like Dorking and East Horsley, these figures provide compelling evidence of the quality of education on offer. The results come at a crucial time, with the secondary school application deadline looming just two weeks away, making this data invaluable for families making life-changing educational decisions.
Other Surrey Schools Show Strong Performance
While St Andrews takes the top spot, several other Surrey secondaries have demonstrated impressive results that deserve recognition. Gordon's School in Woking, along with St Peter's Catholic School in Guildford and St John the Baptist Catholic Comprehensive, also in Woking, have all performed well above average. George Abbot School in Guildford rounds out the high-achievers, showing that excellence across the county isn't limited to one institution. These schools represent genuine alternatives for families across different parts of Surrey, whether you're based in Woking, Guildford, or commuting from surrounding villages. The performance data helps local communities understand the quality of education available on their doorsteps. For families in areas like Horsley looking for secondary provision, these results offer reassurance that strong educational options exist within reasonable distance. The variation in performance across these schools suggests that factors beyond simple location matter—school culture, teaching quality, and support structures all play crucial roles in student outcomes.
What Parents Should Know Before Applying
This year's GCSE data provides three key metrics to help parents evaluate schools: the percentage achieving grade 5 or above in English and Maths, the percentage passing five or more GCSEs, and average exam scores. However, it's worth noting that Progress 8 scores—which historically showed how much pupils improved between ages 11 and 16—remain absent from this year's tables due to pandemic disruptions. Nationally, results have improved slightly, with 46.3% of pupils achieving grade 5 or higher in both subjects, up from 45.4% last year. The South East, where Surrey sits, performs above the national average at 48.4%, suggesting the region's schools are generally outperforming much of the country. For local families, this means Surrey's education system is competitive. Beyond raw statistics, consider school ethos, facilities, pastoral care, and how well they support individual learning styles. Visit schools during open days, speak to current students and parents, and look beyond headline figures. These results matter, but they're only part of the picture when choosing where your child will spend the next five crucial years of their education.
Source: Surrey's best performing secondary school revealed as GCSE data published
