The borough of Elmbridge in Surrey is a fantastic choice for families that wish to stay close to the city of London’s global business centre but still desire the comforts and values of rural England. Its proximity to the capital has made it an essential part of the commuter belt for generations and a wonderful international community is now also evident, which gives the area an even more elevated cosmopolitan appeal. All of the Elmbridge villages and towns offer their own unique charm and character with benefits and advantages to match the full spectrum of lifestyles and requirements.
However, when education is to be considered, it is difficult to ignore the allure of Cobham in particular. This town is blessed with a stellar collection of independent primary and secondary schools that showcase a mix of tradition, innovation and pastoral care that can easily rival anywhere in Europe. Here is a guide to the best independent choices among them.
Feltonfleet School
Feltonfleet on Byfleet Road is a co-educational day and boarding school that takes children on their educational journey from nursery through to Upper Preparatory at the ages of 3 to 13 years old. It is housed around a wonderful Grade II-listed main building set in around 25 acres of beautiful Surrey landscape. Originally founded in 1903, their emphasis in the modern era is on kindness, honesty, respect and responsibility at a school where the guiding motto is one ‘Where Individuals Really Matter’.
Their three ‘P’ methodology for positive learning, positive living and positive leading drives a curriculum that combines broad academic study with personal development and more creative endeavours. There is a highly commendable level of achievement at Feltonfleet that proudly details how 100% of its pupils gain entry to their first-choice senior school following their time here, with one in three also earning a prestigious scholarship as part of that statistic. Creating and fostering a strong sense of community across the school remains a key element of ultimate success. It is often noted that the teacher-pupil relationships that are developed at Feltonfleet are a huge element of this philosophy, with every child spoken to with respect, care and on an individual level.
The woodland, open spaces and historic buildings of this school add the perfect backdrop for an institution that displays a traditional heart with a modern focus.
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ACS Cobham International School
ACS Cobham International School is set on the historic Heywood House estate that was once the home to royalty and can chart its own beginnings all the way back to the year 1206. It started its life as an academic institution in 1975 with only 175 students and has steadily grown to attend to the changing demographic of Cobham families and residents. This is a co-educational school that covers academic life from early childhood at age 2 all the way through to post-compulsory study at 18 and over.
There are around 1300 students at ACS representing over 70 nationalities with a mix of day and boarding places that range from weekly to full capability. With an impeccable reputation for international education, the school has been authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) since 1986. The vision at the school has long been to develop confident and caring global citizens that are ready for the challenges they will face in the future, wherever that may be. The overall international-mindedness and diverse influence of pupil communities creates a school experience unlike any other in the area with excellent facilities and a global curriculum to suit all eventual student pathways. All set within 128 acres of woodlands, open fields and world-class modern educational facilities.
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Reed’s School
Reed’s School on Sandy Lane in Cobham is a day and boarding school for boys aged 11 to 18, with an admittance for girls at the Sixth Form stage of 16 to 18. The philanthropic roots and history of Reed’s dates back to its beginnings as The East London Orphan Asylum of 1787, which switched locations until it adopted the Cobham site at the end of World War II.
Its core values of integrity, compassion, curiosity, resilience, responsibility and independence are evidence that a strong grounding for valuable and caring education remains firmly tied to its original mission. Academic achievement at Reed’s is consistently and reassuringly high for parents considering a place for their child, with 2024 results data stating that 56% of A-Level grades were at the standard of A or A*. At GCSE level, this was even higher at almost 75%.
Almost 40 acres of grounds support the pupil activity at the school, with a keen focus on STEM subjects that is backed by sixteen purpose-built laboratories. Similarly, the FutureTech building combines the sciences with elements of engineering and design to present students with practical experience to augment their studies. There is also an enduring sporting element to Reed’s, with its most notable alumnus being the former British number one tennis player, Tim Henman.
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Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School at Burwood House on Convent Lane in Cobham is an independent Catholic day school that guides girls through their entire academic journey from ages 2 to 18. The origins of the school can be traced back to the Company of Our Lady, a religious order that was established in France over 400 years ago. Although this religious connection remains a key part of the school’s identity, it has a welcoming policy for all faiths and backgrounds in the modern day.
The values at Notre Dame are aligned with the key stages of educational achievement that the pupils are aiming for. A Mastery approach at the Prep School ensures that key skills and concepts are met through art, drama, sport and languages. For Senior School study a full curriculum is applied with Theology and Technology added with particular emphasis. These 26 acres of Surrey countryside include a swimming pool, dedicated sports pitches and a professional 360-seat theatre regularly used for pupil productions. All of which places the school within the top 15% of schools on a national level for academic value.
Cobham is a town that consistently achieves high marks across the board when examined for family lifestyles. With such a strong showing for independent schools, it may very well be top of the class in all of Elmbridge when it comes down to education.
