Tiffin School

About Tiffin School

Tiffin School sits in the Kingston upon Thames local authority, a London borough with a strong concentration of high-performing secondary schools. Among the 14 state secondaries in the LA, Tiffin is a boys’ grammar school that competes directly with the likes of The Kingston Academy, Tiffin Girls’ School, and Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form, all of which rank as its top peers locally. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2022, rated it Good overall, a step down from the Outstanding grade it had held since at least its previous inspection in 2007. That earlier inspection gave top marks across the board, including for overall effectiveness, leadership, and sixth-form provision. The 2022 report, however, judged quality of education and leadership and management as Good, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth-form provision all remained Outstanding. Tiffin is one of five Outstanding-rated schools in the LA, and its nearest Outstanding neighbour, Tiffin Girls’ School, is just 0.7 km away.

Academically, Tiffin School performs well above the local average. The LA’s average Progress 8 score is 0.66, a strong figure in itself, and Tiffin’s own score is likely to be higher given its selective intake and grammar school status. The school’s sixth form was rated Outstanding in the 2022 inspection, reflecting strong outcomes at A-level. While specific exam results are not included in the data, the combination of a selective admissions process and an Outstanding sixth-form rating suggests that pupils typically achieve well above national benchmarks. The school’s Christian religious character is noted, though it does not appear to be a faith-based admissions criterion. With 1,462 pupils on roll, Tiffin is a large secondary, and its size allows for a broad curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.

The school’s facilities are extensive and include a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, music rooms, sports hall, astro turf, and tennis courts, all of which support a strong programme in sports such as rugby, football, cricket, and swimming. Clubs cover coding, drama, science, eco issues, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. For families considering Tiffin, the key practical point is that it is a selective boys’ grammar school, so admission depends on passing the 11-plus or equivalent test. Oversubscription is likely, given its reputation and the local competition for grammar school places. The school suits families who value academic rigour, a strong sixth form, and a wide range of sporting and cultural facilities, and who are prepared for the selective entry process. Its location in Kingston upon Thames also places it within easy reach of other top-performing schools in the area.

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