Frensham Heights School

Frensham Heights is a distinctive day and boarding school for children from 3 to 18 years old, priding itself on being refreshingly different since 1925.

As a member of the international Progressive Education Network, Frensham Heights is a modern and creative school. Our vision is to inspire children with a transformative education, giving them the confidence to follow their passions and make a difference in the world. We aim to educate the whole child - mind, body and spirit - and our values of creativity, respect, individuality and courage knit our community and curriculum together.

Nestled on 125 acres in the beautiful Surrey Hills just 40 miles from London, we offer a coeducational day and boarding experience. An ISI inspection in 2022 rated Frensham Heights as ‘Excellent’ in both students’ academic progress and personal development. We achieve exceptional academic standards as part of a much richer experience, through a broad curriculum and the equality given to all subjects.

With a more informal setting and smaller classes, the teachers and students really get to know each other, literally on a first-name basis. Teachers don’t have to spend time telling students to check their ties or pull up their socks. Instead they have conversations and build relationships based on genuine, mutual respect and interest. Relationships that spark learning. Academically, we are one of the most successful progressive schools in the UK, with 67.5% A*-B at A-Level and 61.5% 9-6 at GCSE in 2022.

We offer a traditional academic curriculum, balanced and enriched with a diverse outdoor ed and sports programme and an outstanding creative and performing arts offering. A limited view of sport can’t and won’t challenge and engage every child. It is only natural that Frensham has always respected the importance of sport in many forms. Students can choose to follow a competitive route, taking part in numerous fixtures against other schools, or get involved in a wide array of alternative activities from dodgeball to wakeboarding to dry slope skiing. Dance, drama, music and creative arts are all within the curriculum for all students up through Year 9. The timetable for Years 7 to 9 includes weekly sessions of ceramics, art and DT. Our students received 100% A*-C in all performing and creative arts A-Levels in 2022. Frensham is a place where children can be really academic and truly creative.

Alongside the rich curriculum run endless opportunities for wider experiences outside the classroom. From specialist days, which take students off timetable to fully immerse in a subject, to longer term projects like the agro-ecological kitchen garden and the Year 8 self-governing village. The extracurricular offering is immense with clubs running at lunchtime and after school. The opportunities are constantly growing and developing to stay relevant with the world around us and provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to prepare them for life beyond school.

“It’s a school that really broadens horizons by allowing each child to be themself, to thrive outside a box. For those who would naturally be happy in a conventional box, it encourages them to try things they might not have considered or had the courage to try before.” - Frensham parent

At the end of each day full of innovative, creative curriculum classes and extensive co-curricular options starts our vibrant boarding life. Our co-ed boarding houses are like big families, mimicking family life with busy weeks and Saturdays and lazy Sundays. It can’t be home, but it’s as close as you can get without being at home. As they grow up, there is a natural progression of what is expected from the youngest through to the oldest – a sliding scale of structure, freedom and responsibility.

Frensham Heights offers a rich, modern education which prepares young people for life ahead while allowing them to grow up without unnecessary added pressures. They can be who they are, thrive in their own way and follow their own passions.

“In the absence of hierarchical prefect structures, students naturally develop strong leadership skills…” ISI Inspection, 2022

We have open mornings on:
Saturday 16th September, Tuesday 26th September, Thursday 5th October, Thursday 19th October, Tuesday 7th November and Tuesday 21st November.

Junior School Admissions:
Junior School applications are taken on a rolling basis where there is space. Our students do not take SATs or prep for common entrance exams. They take internal assessments which are used for entry in to the senior school.

Senior School Admissions:
Registrations are taken until the end of October. There is an interview/familiarisation morning on Saturday 25th November and an assessment/activity day on Saturday 13th January.

Sixth Form Admissions:
Registrations are taken until the end of October. There is an interview/familiarisation day on Friday 17th November.