Collingwood College

About Collingwood College

Collingwood College is a large state secondary in Surrey Heath, currently educating 1,714 pupils against a capacity of 2,176, so there is some headroom in the buildings. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 15.4%, which is notably above the national average for secondary schools and suggests a more diverse intake than some of its local peers. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 626 applications for 310 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.02, with 226 first-preference offers made. That level of competition signals a school that local families are actively choosing, even if it isn't the most selective in the area. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with a sixth form attached, and is led by headteacher Karen Watling. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in May 2022, confirmed the school remains Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding.

Academically, Collingwood sits right around the national average. Its Progress 8 score is -0.01, which is essentially flat, meaning pupils achieve about as well as expected given their starting points. That puts it 36th out of 66 schools in Surrey, and 3rd out of 4 in Surrey Heath specifically. For context, the local authority average Progress 8 is 0.26, so the school is slightly below the county trend. Attainment 8 sits at 47.9, and 65.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 15.8%, with only 8.9% achieving the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. At A-level, the picture is more encouraging: the average points per entry is 34.1, equivalent to a C+ grade, and the best three A-levels average out at a B-. The value-added score for sixth form is 0.05, classed as Average, with 17.9% of entries achieving AAB or higher.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a sports hall, astro turf, theatre, music rooms, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports on offer include netball, hockey, football, tennis, and martial arts, while clubs cover drama, coding, gardening, Young Enterprise, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. SEND provision is broad, with support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With an oversubscription ratio above 2:1, families need to be prepared to apply early and list it as a strong preference. Collingwood suits families who want a large, non-selective comprehensive with a good sixth form, decent facilities, and a realistic academic profile that doesn't over-promise. It's not the highest-performing school in Surrey, but it's a solid, well-subscribed option for pupils who thrive in a big, busy environment.

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