Classpot

Hinchley Wood School

Elmbridge, KT10 0AQSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Oct 2023
Progress 8
+0.68
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.6×
Oversubscribed
331 1st-choice / 209 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#304 of 3,141 nationally

About Hinchley Wood School

Hinchley Wood School sits in Elmbridge, part of Surrey local authority, and ranks first among the five secondary schools in its immediate borough. That puts it ahead of local peers such as St Andrew's Catholic School, Gordon's School, and Salesian School, Chertsey, all of which are strong performers in their own right. Across the wider Surrey secondary landscape, Hinchley Wood places 11th out of 66 schools, placing it comfortably in the top tier. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary with a sixth form, and it is significantly oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 693 applications for 209 places, with 331 families listing it as their first preference. Of those, 204 received offers. That level of demand reflects a school that local families clearly hold in high regard, and the numbers back that up.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressClaygate Lane, Esher, Elmbridge, KT10 0AQ
HeadteacherMs Maria Cachia Miss Lucy Macdonald
Local AuthoritySurrey
Number of Pupils1,381
Free School Meals (FSM)6.1%
School Capacity1,381 / 1,113 (124% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

3 Oct 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 19 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
ICT SuiteSports HallTennis CourtsSwimming PoolSixth Form CentreMusic RoomsPlaying FieldsScience Labs

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

GymnasticsTennisAthleticsHockeySwimmingCricketRugby

Clubs & Activities

Young EnterpriseEco ClubDramaArt ClubNewspaperModel United NationsChoirDuke of EdinburghDebate

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

SEN Unit
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning DifficultySEN UnitOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hinchley Wood School

Hinchley Wood School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.