Caterham School Guide: Reviews, Rankings Fees, And More
Founded in 1811, Caterham School is a massive 200-acre campus nestled in the beautiful Harestone Valley, where the campus’ glamorous Victorian architecture is complemented by an impressive array of innovative facilities such as the Sports Centre, Centre of Performing Arts, the Maggs Library, Digital Innovation Centre and more. Read our full Caterham School guide and review here.
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Table of Contents
Summary Of School
- Type of school: Co-educational
- Age range: 11-18
- Pupils: 900 ; sixth formers: 313
- Fees: (Full boarding) £17,540 – £18,485 per term
- 2024 A Level Results: 71% A*-A
- 2024 GCSE Results: 85% 9-7
Overview
The Caterham School emphasises on the holistic development of its pupils, but being a huge advocate of the key mantra, “happiness in learning” is what makes the prestigious institution stand out amongst the rest. By doing so, Caterham School validates the success of their methodology by producing some of the brightest young leaders with exceptional intellect.
Caterham School is strategically located 20 miles from Central London – it’s a common sight to see Caterham pupils shuttle daily between the concrete jungles of London and the beautiful, tranquil countryside of Harestone Valley. Additionally, the institution can be easily reached from Surrey, Kent and Sussex as well. Overall, the Caterham School is easily accessible as the Caterham Railway Station is just a 15 minutes’ walk away from the school and a 25-minute car ride will take you to the London Gatwick Airport.
Overall, Caterham School strives to produce exceptional pupils through its acclaimed educational methods and the vast number of successful Caterhamians are testament to the school’s reputation.
Caterham School Courses and Programmes
First and Second Years (Year 7&8)
- Mathematics
- English
- Science
- 2 Modern Languages
- Latin
- History
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Theology
- Art
- Music
- 3D Design
- Computer Science
Additional lessons
- PE and Games
- PSHEE
- Citizenship
- Study skills
- Introduction to IPad
Third Year (Year 9)
Core Curriculum
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Theology
- At least 1 modern language
- PE and Games
Science Subjects
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Supplementary curriculum (3 subjects)
- Latin
- Greek
- Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian)
- Art
- 3D Design
- Computer
- Science
- Music and Drama
Fourth and Fifth Year (Year 10&11)
Students could make a choice to opt for the Dual Award, or continue all three sciences to GCSE
Core Curriculum
- English Language and Literature
- Mathematics
- Science
- 1 Humanity
- Geography
- History
- Philosophy
- Theology
- 1 Modern Language
– French
– German
– Spanish
– Italian
- PE, Games and PSHEE
Science Subjects
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Additional Subjects
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Art
- 3D Design
- Music
- Drama
- GCSE PE
Sixth Form
A Levels (Students have free choice of at least 4 or 5 A Level subjects)
All GCSE subjects are available at A Level
Additional subjects
- Further Mathematics
- Economics
- Business
- Psychology
- Politics
Enrichment programmes such as Public Speaking Leadership, Coaching, App making, community partnerships are also offered.
English as an Additional Language
- Students whose first language is not English are assessed prior to entry. Additional support will be provided through timetabled EAL (English as Additional Language) lessons.
- Fourth year: students can follow either GCSE English programme or prepare to take the FCE exam (First Certificate in English)
- Sixth Form: Students attend IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation course of 2 periods/week. Students will remain on this course until adequate IELTS score is achieved to enter their preferred university
Caterham School Application Deadline (International Candidates)
- Application must be done through the School’s registered Agents. This will involve completing an Application Form and paying the boarding registration fee (£200). In addition to this, the agent will supply the School with other information about your child, including a school report, passport copy and a report based on an interview of your child conducted by the agent.
- This information must be sent to the Admissions Department by the Registered Agent by the relevant deadline: see Deadlines for Applications below
16+(Sixth Form) Admissions Dates for September 2025 Entry
Sixth Form Options Evening (Pre-registration is required) | Tuesday 8 October 2024 |
| 16+ application, Bursary and Scholarship closing date | Monday 14 October 2024 |
| 16+ Exam Day | Saturday 9 November 2024 |
| 16+ Scholarships | Week commencing 11 November 2024 |
| Decision letters emailed to families on: | Monday 2 December 2024 |
| Acceptance deadline | Monday 20 January 2025 |
Caterham School Latest Rankings
With 71% of A level grades at A* to A, Caterham’s A Level results in 2024 once again secure Caterham’s position in the premier league of independent schools. It also ranked 42nd in our 2024 GCSE League Table, with 85% of 9-7 at 2024 GSCE results.
Graduates of Caterham have managed to enrol in some of the leading universities, including the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge. In 2023, 11 Caterham graduates won their places at Oxford or Cambridge University, joining the 60 places at Oxbridge across the last five years.
Caterham School 2024 Results
In 2024, Caterham School achieved stellar results at the standardised A Level and GCSE exams. At the A Levels this year, Caterham’s cohort managed to achieve 71% A*-A and 85% at GCSE.
Caterham School Fees Starting from 2025
The fees, per term, Academic Year 2024/2025 (January 2025) are:
Day Pupils
| Years 7 to 13 | £8,450 |
| Sixth Form Entry | £8,855 |
Boarding Pupils
| Full Boarding Years 9 to 13 | £17,540 |
| Full Boarding Sixth Form Entry | £18,485 |
| Weekly Boarding Years 9 to 13 | £14,635 |
| Weekly Boarding Sixth Form Entry | £15,425 |
| Half Weekly Boarding Years 7 to 9 | £11,445 |
Caterham School Entry Requirements (Day Pupils)
13+ Entry Requirement (Deferred Entry)
Stage 1: Application
- 13+ Deferred entry applications closes in end November
Stage 2: ISEB Common Pre-Test
- ISEB Common Pre-Test must be taken at the current School during November/December, times of assessment will be set by Prep School.
Stage 3: Deferred Entry Interviews
- Interviews will be held in the end of November – times to be advised in the Autumn Term after the application closing date
Stage 4: Deferred Entry Entrance Examinations
Entrance exam consisting of:
- English
- Mathematics (non-calculator)
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
Stage 5: Offer
- Offers will be emailed to families around mid-February
Stage 6: Accepting Offer
- Students are required to accept their offer before the deadline in March
13+ Entry Requirement
Stage 1: Application
- 13+ Applications closes in early October
Stage 2: Interview & Entrance Examination
- Interview and Entrance Examinations will be conducted in November
Entrance exam consisting of:
- English
- Mathematics (non-calculator)
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
Stage 3: Offer
- Offer letters will be emailed to families in December
Stage 4: Accepting Offer
- Students are required to accept their offer before March
16+ Entry Requirement
Stage 1: Qualification
- 44 points (or equivalent) from the best 6 IGCSE/GCSE subjects
All candidates take papers in English and 4 subjects to be studied at A Level (5 subjects if further maths is selected)
Stage 2: Open evening
- Pre-registration is required for Open evening which is usually in October of every year. The School will arrange individual programmes that align with the students’ choice of subjects
Stage 3: Application
- 16+ application closes in November
Stage 4: Interview
- Information and Interview evening will be conducted around mid-November
Stage 5: Offer
- Offer letters will be emailed to families by the end of November
Stage 6: Accepting Offer
- Students are required to accept their offer before the December deadline
Caterham School Reviews
“Caterham is all rounded, academics are the focus but there are plenty of co-curricular opportunities even in 6th form. Sport is also high on the agenda and academic criteria can be more relaxed for those who are high-level team players. Integrating at year 9 isn’t always easy wherever but most manage to find a niche. There is a strong senior management team including one specifically for pastoral care.”
“School has been an amazing support for me, and I enjoy giving the same care back to others too.”
“I’ve had such an amazing time here, made so many friends and achieved so much.”
“Consistently among the top schools in the country for ‘adding value’ to its students”
Caterham School Accommodation
Fret not! Boarders at Caterham are guaranteed to have some of the most gorgeous boarding houses with a dedicated and experienced team of staff to support their utmost wellbeing. Girls at Caterham live in the Beech Hanger House which takes the form of a beautiful Victorian Mansion, while junior boys live in the Townsend House which provides them with a breathtaking view that overlooks the Home Field and the School’s woodland. The young adults at Caterham live in the gorgeous Viney House, which is conveniently located in the heart of the main school building.
Boarding Houses
Houses | Gender | Head of Houses | Number of Boarders |
Beech Hanger House | Girls | Mrs Clare Quinton | Roughly 60 girls from Year 7 to 13 |
Townsend House | Junior Boys | Mr Phillip Comerford | Roughly 30 junior boys |
Viney House | Senior Boys | Mr Nick Mills | Roughly 70 senior boys |
Caterham School Student Services And Extracurricular Activities
Co-curricular and Sports
The extensive list of extracurricular activities provided by the prestigious school seems to be never-ending as Caterham prides itself for providing their students with the most holistic education to discover their hidden potential.
The Caterham School is equipped with some of the most jaw-dropping professional sports facilities. The school has some of the best grass pitches in the south of England, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, 5 netball courts, a floodlit Astroturf and a fully equipped double sports hall. Furthermore, all pupils of Caterham School are provided with an extensive list of competitive sporting opportunities at either the School or House level. There is also a full fixture list and regular major games at domestic or international level.
As a huge advocate of intellectual advancement and discovering potentials of its pupils, Caterham School offers its pupils with a plethora of co-curricular activities ranging from Music, Drama, to Animation and Graphic Design clubs. A list too extensive to be listed out, the complete co-curricular programme offered by Caterham School can be viewed here, alongside with comprehensive information on each and every activity.
Well-being services
The main 5 strands of well-being, which is ‘Health, Readiness, Awareness, Community and Spirituality’ is covered extensively to encourage emotional literacy amongst its pupils. Thus, the School provides various wellbeing initiatives such as School Council, Digital Council, Study Buddy, Pastoral discussions to ensure the voices of the pupils are heard clearly, while pupils proactively develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime.
Furthermore, the top-notch health care system provided by the School is well equipped with experienced nurses who are registered with the Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC). The nurses are experienced with accident and emergency, mental health, paediatrics, surgical and medical nursing, immunisations, travel health and critical care.
Caterham School Contact Information
- Official Website: https://www.caterhamschool.co.uk/
- Admissions enquiries email: [email protected]
- General enquiries email: [email protected]
- Address: Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA
- Telephone:+44 (0) 1883 343028
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