Hoe Valley School

About Hoe Valley School

Hoe Valley School in Woking is a state secondary that parents clearly rate highly: 73% of those who responded to Ofsted's Parent View survey said they would recommend the school, based on 86 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025. That confidence is backed up by strong demand for places. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 621 applications for just 146 places, an oversubscription ratio of 4.25 to one. Of the 148 families who put Hoe Valley as their first preference, 119 were offered a place. Parents also reported that their children are happy here – 82% agreed or strongly agreed with that statement – and 78% felt the school has high expectations for their child. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2025, rated it Good across all categories including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership.

Academically, Hoe Valley is a solid performer, particularly in helping pupils make progress from their starting points. Its Progress 8 score of 0.21 means pupils achieve about a fifth of a grade more per subject than the national average, though this sits just below the Surrey local authority average of 0.26. In Woking, the school ranks third out of five secondaries on this measure. Attainment 8, which captures average GCSE results across eight subjects, stands at 49.3, and 71.8% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths. The school's EBacc entry rate is 45%, with 27.5% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. At A-level, the small sixth form of 14 pupils achieved an average points per entry of 32.41, equivalent to a C+ grade. Ofsted's previous inspection in 2018 had rated the school Outstanding overall, so the 2025 Good judgement represents a step down, though inspectors noted the school remains effective.

The school is well equipped, with facilities including a theatre, swimming pool, astro turf, science labs, and a dedicated sixth form centre. It offers a wide range of clubs – from Model UN and Young Enterprise to orchestra and eco club – and sports including rowing, rugby, and dance. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for nine categories including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. However, the Parent View data on SEND support is notably split: 48% agreed the school gives SEND children the support they need, while 45% disagreed. With 24.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a more disadvantaged intake than many local peers. It is a mixed, non-denominational school for ages 11 to 18, currently with 856 pupils against a capacity of 990, so there is some room for growth.

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