Fullbrook School Review 2026: Ambition and Change in New Haw

"Inspired to Achieve" runs the motto at Fullbrook School, a large mixed academy serving the communities of New Haw, Addlestone, and Woking. Situated on a sprawling site where mid-century blocks meet modern additions, the school is currently navigating a period of significant transition. Following an Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement in October 2023, the leadership, now under Principal Miss Anna Wallis, is driving a rigorous improvement plan focused on raising standards and consistency. Despite the rating, the school remains a central pillar of the local community, heavily oversubscribed and delivering GCSE results that consistently outperform national averages.

The campus reflects its history as a comprehensive school that has grown with its community. The architecture is functional rather than grand, a mix of 1950s practicality and newer purpose-built blocks like the dedicated Fullbrook 6 sixth form centre. At drop-off, the sheer scale of the student body—over 1,500 students—creates a bustling, high-energy environment.

To manage this scale, the school relies on a strong House system. Students are organised into four houses—Dragon, Griffin, Pegasus, and Phoenix—which provide a sense of belonging within the larger institution. This structure is central to the school's identity, fostering competition in everything from sports to debating and ensuring that younger students are not lost in the crowd.

The atmosphere is shifting under the new leadership. Miss Anna Wallis has implemented a "ready, respectful, safe" ethos, with a visible focus on uniform standards and behaviour. While some parents note the stricter tone, others welcome the clarity it brings. The school is part of the Learning Partners Academy Trust, a relationship that brings external expertise and resources to support the current improvement journey.

Despite the overall inspection rating, Fullbrook's academic outcomes at GCSE remain a clear strength. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.2, significantly above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that across eight key subjects, pupils here achieve nearly three-quarters of a grade higher than their peers nationally.

Ranked 1039th in England and 3rd in Addlestone for GCSE outcomes, Fullbrook sits in the "national strong" band (FindMySchool ranking), outperforming approximately 77% of schools in England. The percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or higher in English and Maths—a key metric for future progression—is 66%, double the local authority average in some comparisons.

At A-level, the performance is more mixed. Ranked 1658th in England for A-level outcomes, the sixth form sits in the "national lower" band. This reflects an inclusive entry policy rather than a lack of ambition; the school offers pathways for a wide range of abilities. In 2024, 38.6% of A-level grades were A*-B, providing solid foundations for university entry, even if the top-end A* percentages are lower than selective counterparts.

The curriculum is broad and follows a three-year Key Stage 3, ensuring students are not narrowed into options too early. Teaching is structured and increasingly focused on "retrieval practice"—regular low-stakes testing to ensure core knowledge is retained. This approach is designed to build the long-term memory essential for the linear GCSE exams.

Science is a particular strength, supported by good facilities and a popular triple science pathway. The school also maintains a commitment to the arts, resisting the trend to cut creative subjects; Drama and Music remain popular options at GCSE.

However, the 2023 inspection noted inconsistencies in the quality of education, particularly for younger students or those with special educational needs. The current school improvement plan addresses this directly, with extensive staff training on adaptive teaching to ensure all learners, not just the most able, make strong progress.

The majority of Year 11 students choose to stay for Fullbrook 6, drawn by the continuity of care and the separate sixth form centre. For those leaving at 16, local colleges such as Brooklands and Woking College are popular destinations for vocational courses.

At 18, destinations are diverse. In 2024, 49% of leavers progressed to university. While the school is not a conveyer belt for elite universities, it supports aspiration effectively; one student secured a place at Cambridge in the most recent cycle, and 18 students went on to study Medicine.

Employment is also a respected pathway, with 28% of leavers moving directly into work and 4% starting apprenticeships. The careers programme is pragmatic, leveraging links with Surrey businesses to highlight opportunities in the local economy.

Admission to Fullbrook is coordinated by Surrey County Council and is consistently competitive. In the most recent cycle, the school received 425 applications for 250 places, a subscription ratio of 1.7.

Places are allocated first to looked-after children, then siblings, and finally by distance. The effective catchment area shrinks annually based on the density of applications. In recent years, families living on the outer edges of New Haw and Addlestone have sometimes missed out, making it essential to check the specific "last distance offered" data on the Surrey Admissions website before applying.

Admission to Fullbrook 6 is handled directly by the school. It is open to external applicants who meet the grade requirements, typically requiring five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, with specific higher grades for A-level subjects.

The House system is the engine of pastoral care. Form tutors stay with their groups as they move up the school, building long-term relationships with families. A dedicated "Hub" provides a sanctuary for students needing emotional support, staffed by a team that includes Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs).

Safeguarding and behaviour were key areas identified for improvement in the 2023 inspection. The school has responded with a revamped behaviour policy and stricter monitoring of attendance. Parents report that communication has improved, with online systems now allowing students to report concerns discreetly.

Sport is a central pillar of life at Fullbrook. The on-site sports centre, Fullbrook Sport, includes a fitness suite, sports hall, and floodlit 3G pitches. Rugby and football teams compete successfully in district leagues, and the facilities are a hub for the local community in the evenings.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is thriving, with large cohorts completing Bronze and Silver awards. The school's proximity to the Surrey Hills makes the expedition section a highlight of the year.

The Arts department punches above its weight, with annual productions involving large casts and crews. Recent performances have played to full houses, giving students a taste of professional-standard theatre production.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Located on Selsdon Road, the school is a short walk from New Haw and Byfleet station, making it accessible for sixth formers travelling from further afield. Traffic congestion at the gates is a perennial issue; the school strongly encourages walking or cycling, providing ample secure bike storage.

Requires Improvement Rating. Families must be aware that the school was rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in October 2023. This indicates that while outcomes are good, there are inconsistencies in provision and leadership that are currently being addressed.

Competitive Entry. Despite the rating, the school remains heavily oversubscribed. Living in New Haw does not guarantee a place; proximity is the deciding factor.

Large Environment. With over 1,500 students, this is a big, busy school. It suits children who are resilient and ready to navigate a large campus; quieter children may need to be proactive to ensure they access the support available.

Sixth Form Performance. While GCSE results are strong, A-level performance is statistically lower (bottom 40% in England). High-achieving students should verify that their specific subjects achieve the top grades they need.

Fullbrook School is an institution of contrasts: rated Requires Improvement yet delivering GCSE results that sit in the top tier nationally. Under ambitious new leadership, it is a school on the up, tackling its challenges with transparency and rigour. Best suited to robust, academic students who will thrive in a large, energetic environment and take advantage of the excellent sporting and arts facilities. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular local hub.