ArkStAlbans Competitors

One of the UK's leading independent, co-educational day and boarding schools, Bishop’s Stortford College is a wonderful place of learning in a beautiful setting on the edge of a market town between London and Cambridge. It is a place large enough to provide an exceptional range of opportunities, yet small enough for each child to be known and valued. Our love of life and learning enables pupils to grow into well-rounded, skilful, caring and confident people, equipped and ready for the adventures and opportunities life has to offer.

The Ashcombe School is a mixed comprehensive school for pupils of all abilities between the ages of 11 and 18 based in Dorking in Surrey. It is part of a small independent Multi-Academy Trust (The South East Surrey Schools Education Trust or SESSET) which is comprised of 3 like-minded state secondary schools (The Ashcombe School, Therfield School in Leatherhead and The Warwick in Redhill). The Trust was established to enable each of the schools to retain their own ethos and decide their own futures. There are approximately 1,450 pupils on roll at The Ashcombe (including around 250 in the Sixth Form) and 150 members of staff.

St George’s is a unique and special place. Founded on a Christian ethos; dynamic and exciting to be part of; friendly, caring, and challenging in equal part, it is an excellent environment to receive an outstanding holistic education. Our students and staff are loyal, proud, and purposeful, our motto, “Aim Higher”, challenging all of us to be the best we can be. We have history, tradition, and heritage, and a genuine determination to know and care for everyone, whether you are a day student or part of our diverse and inclusive boarding community. Our School is a thriving, busy and heavily over-subscribed 11-18 all ability, co-educational comprehensive school with 1398 pupils in 2023 including 424 in the academic Sixth Form and approximately 114 boarders. There are over 90 well qualified and committed full-time and part-time teachers: the full complement of adults employed by the Governors is over 220. The School has been rated outstanding by Ofsted in its last three inspections; and for the last six years we have continued to have success at both GCSE and A level. In 2023, over half of GCSE grades were at 9-7 and 92% of outcomes were graded 9-4. Our valued added score has been calculated by FFT to be +0.9 grades per entry. At A Level, our students achieve 41% A*/A and 68% A*-B. 95% of our students have accept university offers including several Oxbridge and Medicine places. We believe that our staff are the best asset that our school has. We appreciate the skills, knowledge and understanding that staff bring to all aspects of school life. We are always encouraging staff to continue to develop their own skill base and experience, as well as provide opportunities for the sharing of that knowledge with others. We consider ourselves to be a supportive and friendly environment.