Gordon’s School, Surrey
Bagshot Road, West End, Surrey GU24 9PT
Head Teacher: Andrew Moss
Admissions: registrar@gordons.school (main school Years 7-11) sixthformregistrar@gordons.school (sixth form Years 12 and 13) +44 (0)1276 858084
GENDER/AGES: Boys and girls, 11-18 years
FEES: Senior (day) £3,027, weekly from £6,074, full boarding from £6,482 TYPICAL CLASS SIZE: Senior – 22.5, sixth form – 10.9
FAITH: Non-denominational.
MOTTO: Semper Fidelis (Ever Faithful)
ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Please see website for details.
School philosophy: Gordon’s recognises that a good education is not just about outstanding examination results but a thorough preparation for life; it is about providing opportunities and experiences for all young people to find their talents and interests, develop good character, become accomplished and achieve across a range of disciplines, and ultimately develop the confidence to go and make their mark in the world. The school’s aim is to develop world-class global-citizens. Gordon’s believes in modern ideas alongside traditional values, together with a broad, balanced curriculum – and that high performance without good character is not true success at all.
Academic record: Gordon’s is in the top 1% of schools nationally for academic progress at A-level. The school is non-selective, providing a broad, balanced curriculum where students can develop the knowledge, skills, attributes and behaviours necessary for success. Students are challenged to attain a grade higher than predicted, the majority reaching their chosen destination after A-levels. The school has been awarded all of the possible eight PTI Subject Leadership Marks, demonstrating that teachers enthuse students beyond the curriculum.
Extracurricular: Students are offered more than 50 different activities during their extended school day and on Saturday mornings. The school boasts an enviable record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and runs a tri-service Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The partnership with Harlequins allows talented rugby players to follow the DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme.
Notable achievements and alumni: The school is Tes Boarding School of the Year 2022 and the National Memorial to General Gordon. Gordon’s Patron is the reigning sovereign. Notable Gordonians include Hannah Russell MBE, gold medal-winning Paralympian swimmer; Olympic Gold netball medallist Eboni Usoro-Brown; Wales rugby player Jake Ball and professional golfer Steve Brown.
www.gordons.school
Head Teacher: Mrs Angharad Holloway Admissions: admissions@talbotheath.org +44 (0)1202 761881
GENDER/AGES: Girls, 3-18 years
FEES: Nursery (day) from £61, pre-prep (day) from £2,542 per term, prep (day) from £3,104 per term, senior (day) £5,392 per term, weekly boarding from £3,785 per term, flexi boarding from £52.50 per night, full boarding from £4,241 per term
TYPICAL CLASS SIZE: Prep – 20 max, senior – 20 max, sixth form – 5-15
FAITH: Founded on Christian principles but welcome all faiths.
MOTTO: Honour before honours
ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Please see the website for details
School philosophy: The school’s approach is an inclusive one, where all members of the community are united in the importance they place on principles, compassion and consideration of others. Talbot Heath girls are confident but not arrogant, knowledgeable but not complacent, able to express their opinions but willing to listen to those of others, independent yet supportive, strong yet compassionate, principled but fun. They value what they have and they value others. They are keen to play a role in the wider
world but have a strong sense of community. They are original but can work as a team. The school’s motto is ‘honour before honours’ and this underpins the community. Everyone cares for and supports one another. Integrity and character lie at the heart of Talbot Heath.
Academic record: Consistently high academic results. The strong work ethic of the pupils, combined with brilliant teaching = consistently high academic results. A-levels 2022, 100% pass rate, 50% A*- A, 82% A* – B. 2022 GCSE pupils achieved the highest number of 9s in Talbot Heath history.
Extracurricular: National-level tennis and swimming academies. More than 50 weekly clubs including critical thinking, STEM, debating, rock & pop, orchestra, architecture, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, National Citizen Service, speech and drama and MedSoc.
Notable achievements and alumni: Talbot Heath is one of the top schools in the UK for tennis, swimming, netball and athletics. Wimbledon champion, Virgina Wade attended, as did international cellist Natalie Clein, famous opera singer Kate Royal and award-winning scientists Frances Ashcroft and Fiona Marshall. Politician Baroness Shirley Williams was a pupil, as was film critic Dilys Powell, film producer Davina Belling and TV chef Fanny Cradock.