Woldingham School – Independent Girls School in Woldingham England
Woldingham School offers a strong academic foundation and a supportive environment for girls. Located in the beautiful Surrey countryside, the school provides a range of opportunities for personal growth and development. With excellent sports facilities, a vibrant arts programme, and a commitment to student well-being, Woldingham ensures that each girl can thrive. In this article, we’ll cover the school’s impressive academic results, the boarding experience, and the diverse extracurricular activities available to students.
Table of Contents
Key Features of Woldingham School
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Surrey
- Pupils: 550; sixth formers: 152
- Age: 11-18
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Fees: Day £11,340 per term; Boarding £19,188 per term (inclusive of VAT)
- Results: 50% A*/A for A-level
Woldingham School Results in 2025
Woldingham School’s academic results this year have been outstanding. At GCSE, 70% students achieved grades 9-7. The school saw particularly impressive performances in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, English language, geography, history, theology, Latin, PE, and music.
At A Level, 50% of all grades were A*/A. These excellent results have allowed many Woldingham students to secure places at prestigious universities in the UK and abroad, with popular choices including Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, and Exeter.
Studying Sixth Form at Woldingham School
Woldingham School’s Sixth Form is a great option for parents looking to send their daughters to a UK boarding school. The 2 years in Sixth Form at Woldingham are some of the most exciting and rewarding, where students experience both academic challenge and personal growth.
The school has a newly built Sixth Form Centre, designed to inspire and support the girls in every way. This centre is the heart of their Sixth Form life, offering spaces for collaboration, independent study, and socialising. There’s a collaborative zone where students can work together on projects, learning essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication—qualities that will help them succeed in their future careers. For focused study, there’s a quiet study area, perfect for getting homework done or preparing for exams. A café provides a social space for taking breaks, building friendships, and maintaining wellbeing.
Academically, Woldingham has a reputation for excellent A Level results, with students securing places at top UK and international universities. The teaching approach is rigorous yet supportive, often described as a ‘greenhouse’ rather than a ‘hothouse,’ where students are encouraged to grow at their own pace.
Woldingham offers a wide range of A Levels, including subjects not available at GCSE, like economics, politics, psychology, and media studies. Girls typically choose three A Levels alongside an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which allows them to dive deeper into a subject of their choice.
Subjects on offer include:
- Art
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Classical civilisation
- Computer science
- Design and technology
- Drama and theatre studies
- Economics
- English literature
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Latin
- Maths (and Further Maths)
- Media studies
- Music
- Physical education
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Religious studies
- Spanish
- Textiles
Boarding Experience at Woldingham School
The boarding experience at Woldingham School offers a perfect blend of comfort, fun, and academic focus, all set in a stunning green valley just 30 minutes from London. As an all-girls school, the atmosphere is safe, peaceful, and ideal for studying. From Year 10 onwards, boarders enjoy the privacy of their own ensuite rooms, while younger students in Years 7-9 share rooms, fostering friendships and a sense of community, supported by a warm and caring boarding team.
The school provides modern amenities like IT suites in Sixth Form boarding, ensuring students have everything they need for both work and relaxation. Weekends are filled with exciting activities, from day trips to London, cinema, and bowling, to Friday night pizza evenings. There are also plenty of sports, music, and drama events to get involved in, making life at Woldingham full of enriching experiences both in and out of the classroom.
Extracurricular Activities in Woldingham School
Sport is integral to life at Woldingham School, promoting physical and emotional health while fostering a lifelong commitment to fitness and healthy living. The school boasts excellent sports facilities, including a large sports hall, two squash courts, a fitness studio, an indoor swimming pool, and an all-weather pitch. Students actively participate in a variety of physical education lessons, including netball, hockey, cricket, tennis, and athletics. In addition to these core sports, there are opportunities for cross-country running, swimming, and fencing, ensuring that every girl can find a sport she enjoys.
Beyond the main sports, Woldingham offers a diverse range of extracurricular clubs and activities, such as badminton, rock climbing, scuba diving, taekwondo, and water polo. This variety encourages personal improvement and team spirit among students, enhancing their overall experience.
The performing arts are equally vibrant at Woldingham. The Millennium Centre features outstanding facilities for music and drama, including the acoustically designed Dineen Auditorium, which seats 630 and is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Students have access to multiple rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, and a fully-equipped recording studio.
The music department is dynamic, offering a range of choirs, bands, and ensembles for all abilities. Girls can learn instruments and take singing lessons with specialist teachers. In drama, every girl participates in curriculum lessons during Years 7-9, with opportunities to engage in theatre productions, whether on stage or behind the scenes. This rich array of activities nurtures creativity, teamwork, and confidence, making Woldingham a lively and engaging place for personal development.
Admissions Process: Entering Woldingham School
Key Points of Entry Woldingham School has 3 main entry points:
- 11+ (Year 7)
- 13+ (Year 9)
- 16+ (Sixth Form)
Occasional places may also be available for:
- 12+ (Year 8)
- 14+ (Year 10)
You can apply at 11+ and choose to defer entry until 13+.
Admissions Timeline
- Assessments occur early in the autumn term.
- Offers of places are made in December.
Entrance Assessments Entrance assessments for new students take place in November, the year before they are due to start. This applies to those applying for a 13+ deferred place as well.
The assessments will include:
For 11+/13+ deferred applicants:
-
- Online ISEB tests in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
- A creative writing paper
- An interview
12+ applicants:
-
- Online ATOM tests in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
- A creative writing paper
- An interview
13+ and 14+ applicants:
-
- Online ATOM tests in English, maths, and science
- An interview
16+ applicants:
-
- A general (critical thinking) Sixth Form entrance assessment
- Tests in two subjects that the student plans to study at A Level
Academic Requirements
- For Sixth Form entry, students should have eight GCSEs/IGCSEs with an average of grade 5.5.
- For A Level maths, sciences, drama, or languages, a grade 7 or above is required, while other subjects require a grade 6 or above.
- Woldingham may use discretion for applicants who miss these averages but demonstrate strong qualities in specific subjects.
International Applicants International students must also take the standard entrance assessments, which can be conducted at:
- British Council offices
- Accredited education recruitment agencies
- Their current school (with prior approval)
Additionally, Woldingham accepts the UKiset (UK Independent Schools Entry Test) to support the admissions process for international students.
Woldingham School Testimonials and Reviews
We are really keen to ensure Woldingham is a truly inclusive community where we are all celebrated for what we bring to school. Everything we do will be in support of this year’s Sacred Heart goal of personal growth and Woldingham’s addition for students to become confident, courageous and compassionate.
Strings are such wonderful instruments and this plan (taster lessons) allows girls who haven’t had the opportunity to have a go.
The Independent School of the Year award recognises Woldingham’s compelling focus on the student experience.
I have always cherished my time at Woldingham. It gave me the education of a lifetime and I look back with the fondest of memories.
Frequently Asked Questions about Woldingham
Woldingham School is an independent girls school for girls aged 11-18.
51% of all grades were A*/A, with 82% of grades at A*-B.
It is tough being a young woman in today’s day and age. Woldingham’s THRIVE programme helps girls to face up to the challenges and pressures of modern life with confidence and resilience.
Years 7 and 8
Termly boarding fee (7 nights per week): £14,765
Termly weekly boarding fee (5 nights per week): £12,970
Termly day (tuition) fee: £8,350
Years 9 to Upper Sixth
Termly boarding fee (7 nights per week): £16,685
Termly weekly boarding fee (5 nights per week): £14,700
Termly day (tuition) fee: £9,860
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