The Raleigh School

About The Raleigh School

The Raleigh School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 122 applications for just 60 places, making it significantly oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.03 applicants per place. Of those, 89 families put it down as their first preference, and all 60 first-preference offers were accepted. This level of demand is a strong signal that parents who get to know the school are keen to secure a spot. The school’s capacity is 420 pupils, yet it currently has 434 on roll, which suggests it is operating slightly above its official number and that the community is voting with its feet. With just 3.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is from a relatively affluent area, but the school’s popularity cuts across the board.

Academically, The Raleigh School is a standout performer. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, it was judged Outstanding overall, with Outstanding ratings for leadership and management, early years provision, and behaviour and attitudes. This is an upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2012, showing clear improvement. At Key Stage 2, 94% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Surrey local authority average of just 66%. The school also excels at the higher standard, with 30% of pupils reaching that level across all three subjects. In maths, 64% achieved the higher standard, and in reading it was 50%. Average scaled scores of 111 in both reading and maths are well above the national benchmark of 100. The school ranks first out of 19 primary schools in Guildford, and in the top 1% nationally.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, music rooms, an ICT suite, a forest school area, and even a chapel. Sports provision covers dance, football, tennis, cricket and rounders, while clubs extend to gardening, coding, chess, eco club and book club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists specific provisions for dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, visual impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its oversubscription, parents should be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. The Raleigh School is best suited to families who prioritise strong academic outcomes and a well-equipped learning environment, and who live within a reasonable distance of Guildford to make the daily commute manageable.

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