Independent Boarding Schools in Surrey

The Yehudi Menuhin School, situated in Stoke D’Abernon near Cobham, is a specialist co-educational music school for pupils aged 9 to 19. Founded in 1963 by the celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the school provides a tailored academic and musical education for gifted young instrumentalists from around the world. Set within 15 acres of Surrey parkland, the campus features the Menuhin Hall, a professional-standard concert venue used for student performances and public recitals. The curriculum balances intensive musical training with a broad academic programme, fostering a community of musicians within a supportive environment.

Edgeborough is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located in Frensham, near Farnham. Set within 50 acres of parkland and countryside, the school is centred around Frensham Place, a Victorian manor house. Founded in 1906, it moved to its current site in 1939. The curriculum emphasises a broad range of academic, creative, and sporting opportunities, supported by facilities including a swimming pool and a performing arts centre. The school aims to foster an inclusive community while preparing children for transition to senior schools.

ACS Cobham International School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 128-acre campus in the Surrey countryside. The school offers a global curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the American Advanced Placement (AP) programme. Facilities include a state-of-the-art sports centre with a 25-metre competition pool, an Olympic-sized track, and a 510-seat performing arts theatre. Founded in 1967, the school emphasises developing well-rounded global citizens through a diverse range of academic, sporting, and extracurricular opportunities.

Prior's Field is an independent girls' day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in 42 acres of parkland near Godalming, Surrey. Founded in 1902 by Julia Huxley, the school is centred around a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts building designed by C.F.A. Voysey. The curriculum emphasises individuality and creative breadth, supported by specialist facilities including the Arnold Building for science and music. Pupils participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including a dedicated Tennis Academy and niche clubs such as silversmithing and electric car design.

Caterham School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in the Harestone Valley in Surrey. Set within a 200-acre campus, the school was founded in 1811 and moved to its current location in 1884. It provides a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on digital innovation, being recognised as an Apple Distinguished School. Facilities include a performing arts centre, a large sports complex, and extensive woodland used for outdoor education. The school fosters an environment focused on both academic achievement and personal development.

Aldro is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 7 to 13, located in Shackleford near Godalming. Founded in 1898 and relocated to its current Surrey site in 1940, the school operates with a Christian foundation. Set within extensive grounds, facilities include a rowing lake, an adventure island, and a swimming pool. The school focuses on the development of the whole child through a broad curriculum and co-curricular programme, preparing pupils for transition to leading senior schools via the Common Entrance pathway.

City of London Freemen's School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 7 to 18, situated in 57 acres of parkland at Ashtead Park, Surrey. Founded in 1854 by the City of London Corporation, the school is centred around a Grade II listed mansion house. Facilities include a specialist music school with a 200-seat recital hall and a modern sports centre featuring a competition-standard swimming pool. Its ethos encourages students to learn, lead, and make a difference, balancing academic rigour with extensive extracurricular opportunities in a historic rural setting.

St John's School, Leatherhead, is an independent co-educational day and boarding school in Surrey for pupils aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1851 to provide education for the sons of the clergy, the school moved to its current 50-acre site in 1872. The campus features a blend of Victorian red-brick architecture and modern facilities, including a sports centre with a 25-metre swimming pool. St John's emphasises a balance of academic ambition, strong pastoral care through its house system, and a broad range of co-curricular opportunities in sports, performing arts, and community service.

Hurtwood House, situated near Dorking in the Surrey Hills, is a co-educational boarding and day school specialising in sixth-form education for students aged 16 to 18. Founded in 1970 by Richard Jackson, the school is centred around an Edwardian mansion set within a 200-acre estate. It offers a unique, less formal ethos than traditional boarding schools, with no uniform and a first-name basis between staff and pupils. While maintaining strong academic rigour, the school is particularly renowned for its professional-standard facilities and success in the creative and performing arts.

TASIS The American School in England is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 3 to 18, located on a 46-acre campus in the village of Thorpe, Surrey. Established in 1976, the school is housed in a mix of modern facilities and historic buildings, including a Grade II listed Georgian manor house. It offers an American curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Advanced Placement courses. The campus features a dedicated arts centre, multiple sports fields, and specialised science labs, catering to a diverse, international student body.

Amesbury is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 34 acres of grounds in Hindhead, Surrey. The school is housed in a Grade II* listed building designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It offers a broad curriculum that balances academic study with creative and physical activities, supported by facilities such as a purpose-built visual arts centre and extensive sporting grounds. The school focuses on personal development and community, preparing children for transition to a variety of leading senior schools.

Cranleigh Senior School is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within 280 acres of the Surrey Hills. Established in 1865, the school features striking Grade II listed red brick Victorian architecture, including a central quadrangle and chapel designed by Henry Woodyer. Guided by the motto 'Ex Cultu Robur' (From Culture Comes Strength), the school fosters a community-focused ethos. Extensive facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a nine-hole golf course, and a robotics hub, supporting a broad curriculum that balances academic, sporting, and creative pursuits.

RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Mickleham, near Dorking. Set within 40 acres of countryside, the school's centrepiece is Dalewood House, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Founded in 1959, it is a founding member of the Round Square movement, following the holistic educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. The school offers a choice between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a modern sports hall and grounds that support a range of activities, including outdoor education and traditional team sports.

King Edward's Witley is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated within a 100-acre estate in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1553 by King Edward VI, the school moved from London to its current site in Godalming in 1867. It offers a broad curriculum including both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school emphasises a holistic education, supported by facilities such as a dedicated music school, a business and finance centre, and extensive sports grounds.

St Teresa’s Effingham is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, set within 55 acres of parkland in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1928 by the Religious of Christian Instruction, the school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is centred around an 18th-century manor house. It maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming pupils of all faiths. Notable facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a 300-seat performing arts theatre, and a tennis academy. Since 2019, it has formed part of the Effingham Schools Trust alongside Cranmore School.