The Salesian School occupies a significant place in Chertsey's educational landscape, having served the community since 1919 as one of the area's foundational Catholic institutions. The school's recent Ofsted inspection, published in November 2024, awarded Outstanding ratings across all five inspection categories, confirming what the institution's results have been demonstrating: consistently strong academic performance paired with genuine pastoral rigour. With approximately 1,850 students across two sites (main school at Guildford Road for Years 7-11, sixth form college at Highfield Road for sixth formers), the institution has earned recognition as Surrey's top-ranked secondary school (FindMySchool ranking). The culture combines clear expectations with compassionate support, rooted firmly in Salesian philosophy centred on reason, faith, and affection.
Salesian School operates on a dual-site model that reflects its history. The Salesian College on Highfield Road was founded in 1919 for boys; a convent girls' school on Guildford Road operated separately until the 1971 merger. The school transitioned to full co-education in the early 1980s, maintaining distinct sixth form facilities that create a purposeful separation between younger pupils and sixth formers. The atmosphere is deliberately structured. The headteacher, Paul Gower, who took the post in September 2022, is explicit about this. Staff prioritise firm boundaries: mobile phones for Year 7 are prohibited entirely, extending gradually through Key Stage 3. This is not presented as restriction but as foundation — a framework within which young people can thrive.
The Salesian philosophy, inspired by St John Bosco, permeates the school's daily life. The school motto, "Enlightening also Minds, Uplifting Hearts," guides pastoral practice. Ofsted's 2024 inspection confirmed this culture operates authentically. Teachers know pupils individually; pastoral staff respond swiftly to welfare concerns. The school has invested significantly in recent years: a new Eric Doherty and Peter O'Brien Sports Hall, officially opened by Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah in June 2023, has transformed physical provision. The Devereux Building, housing Geography and English departments, honours Sean Devereux, a staff member who became a Salesian missionary and UNICEF aid worker before his murder in Somalia in 1993. These visible commitments to legacy and remembrance shape a sense of collective purpose.
At GCSE, the school consistently demonstrates strong outcomes. In 2025, 49% of grades achieved 9-7 (A*-A band), with nearly a third reaching 9-8 (A*). On the Finding MySchool ranking system, the school sits 451st in England (top 10%, FindMySchool data), and ranks 2nd in the local Chertsey area. The Attainment 8 score of 62.7 exceeds the England average of 45.9, placing the school in the upper tier nationally. Progress 8 measures how much pupils advance compared to others with similar starting points: the school's score of +0.96 indicates substantially above-average progress, well ahead of the England average of -0.03. In 2024, 72% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above (a "standard pass") in both English and maths.
The English Baccalaureate — a measure of breadth encompassing English, maths, sciences, languages, and history or geography — is taken seriously. Approximately 30% of pupils achieved the full EBacc. This focus on subject breadth reflects the school's comprehensive curriculum rather than narrow specialism.
Sixth form results demonstrate continued strength. In 2025, 42% of A-level grades achieved A*/A, with 75% hitting A*-B. The school ranks 587th in England for A-level outcomes (top 25%, FindMySchool data), placing it in the national strong tier. The college takes approximately 400 sixth form students; not all continue from the main school — external entry is welcomed and actively recruited. Subjects offered range across traditional academic disciplines plus T-Level pathways in Education and Childcare, reflecting both university preparation and technical skills development.
University destinations signal genuine academic progression. In 2024, 67% of leavers progressed to university, 18% to employment, 3% to apprenticeships, and 2% to further education. One Cambridge place was secured in 2024. The school maintains a dedicated careers team and hosts regular university representatives, apprenticeship fairs, and industry partnerships.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
65.45%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
47.1%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching quality is consistently described as strong. The school emphasises mastery of fundamentals: literacy and numeracy are tracked across all subjects, not confined to English and maths. Staff receive professional development through the Salesian Teaching School Alliance (of which the school is the founder and leader) and the Xavier Teaching School Hub, meaning high-quality practice is embedded.
The curriculum is traditional academic in structure. Languages are offered from Year 7 onwards; sciences are taught separately, not as "double award." STEM subjects benefit from dedicated facilities, though the school's visibility in the broader STEM ecosystem suggests breadth rather than specialist intensity. Drama and music are recognised as curriculum strengths — the Ofsted inspection explicitly noted this.
Teachers are expected to know pupils individually and to communicate high expectations without blame. The school's "low-level concern" reporting system encourages early intervention before issues escalate. In practice, this means staff respond swiftly to signs of struggle, offering structured support rather than allowing pupils to fall behind.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
The school's co-curricular offer is expansive and carefully structured. Every student is expected to engage in at least one activity; participation is not optional but embedded in school culture. This generates breadth: the majority of pupils experience something beyond the formal curriculum.
Drama operates at scale. The school produces three productions annually — an ambitious schedule that creates genuine opportunity for participation beyond the lead roles. Recent productions include The Government Inspector (performed in Centenary Hall on the Highfield Road site), alongside previous stagings of Sweet Charity, Bugsy Malone, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver!. Year-group drama clubs run throughout the school (Y7 Drama Club Showcase, Y8 Drama Club Performances, Y13 Drama Exam Rehearsals feature regularly on the calendar). Stage combat training occurs as a routine part of Key Stage 3 learning. Sixth form drama students access theatre criticism and analysis of demanding texts—The Government Inspector appears on the GCSE specification.
The music programme balances accessibility with ambition. Two bi-annual community musical concerts serve as focal points, drawing families and staff. A Music Waterbear Workshop (visiting practitioners) appears on the annual calendar. The school maintains named ensembles: a House Music competition, orchestral work, and departmental specialism in classical methods. The curriculum integrates music teaching with literacy and emotional development — not merely technical skill-building. Given the school's Catholic character, liturgical music features; chapel music traditions are maintained.
The 2023 opening of the Eric Doherty and Peter O'Brien Sports Hall — a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility with fitness suite and smart changing — transformed provision. Three astro pitches (at the main site), supplemented by grass fields across the road, ensure adequate space. Competitive teams are fielded in football, netball, basketball, and trampoline, with age-group squads from under-12 to under-18. Inter-school fixtures are regular; the school maintains traditional rivalries and participates in district and county competitions. Sport is compulsory in Key Stage 3, though choice increases at GCSE. Boys' and girls' provision is parallel, not segregated, reflecting genuine co-education.
The award runs to Gold level and features annually on the school calendar as a major commitment. Expeditions, skill-building, and service elements create a structured framework for personal development beyond classroom assessment.
At Salesian College (Highfield Road), sixth form students access additional layer of opportunity: a 16-19 Bursary Fund supports eligible students; enrichment activities include a dedicated Y13 Super Curricular Day (noted on October 2025 calendar), Y12 Parents' Evening and Futures Festival, and regular mock interview evenings (the 26 November 2024 event drew 200+ attendees from external organisations).
The school hosts a specialist resourced provision — the National Autistic Society Cullum Centre — housing 20 pupils with autism spectrum disorders in a dedicated learning space on the main site. This provision, built in partnership with Surrey County Council and the National Autistic Society, allows autistic pupils to access mainstream curriculum and community while receiving tailored support. It is widely regarded as places are highly competitive ("like gold dust," per one observer).
Named activities on the school calendar include: Y9 Careers Fair, Y11 Ensemble Recording Day (music), KS3 House Music, KS3 Spanish & Salsa Workshop, 11Z Options Day, 11Y Options Day, Year 9 Dear England Theatre Trip (West End visit), Y13 Futures Festival, Turandot Opera Visit, Y12/13 Futures Festival, Polish GCSE session, and SEN Surrey Sports Games. The breadth suggests an institution where learning extends deliberately beyond examination syllabuses into cultural experience.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Admissions are non-selective, handled through the local authority coordinated scheme. In recent data, the school received approximately 832 applications for 272 places at secondary entry (Year 7), making it significantly oversubscribed at 3.06 applications per place. The school serves the local Chertsey area and draws families from across Surrey and beyond.
As a Roman Catholic school, faith criteria apply to some places. Families of Catholic background are prioritised under the school's admission policy; families of other faiths or no faith can apply and are admitted once Catholic places are filled. The school's ethos is explicitly Catholic, with daily Mass available to students, religious education woven through the curriculum, and Catholic Social Teaching informing the approach.
No published distance data is available from the most recent admissions round, suggesting either highly variable demand or lack of formal publication. Prospective families should contact the school directly for distance information and admission criteria.
Applications
832
Total received
Places Offered
272
Subscription Rate
3.1x
Apps per place
Ofsted's 2024 inspection rated Personal Development as Outstanding. This reflects systematic approach: every student has a form tutor; tutors see pupils daily in structured sessions. Safeguarding procedures are robust; staff receive regular training on child protection. The school operates a "low-level concern" system where staff report early signs of difficulty, allowing early intervention. A trained counsellor visits the school; additional emotional wellbeing support is available through the learning support department.
For students with SEND, the learning support team (SENCos, LSAs, HLTAs) provides classroom-based support, structured interventions in literacy and numeracy, speech and language support, mentoring, and emotional wellbeing work. The Cullum Centre provision noted above offers specialist space for autistic pupils. The school reports positive relationships with special schools and external services.
The main school (Years 7-11) operates 8:15am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. The sixth form college follows a two-week timetable, creating some variation. The school day includes form time, tutor periods, and structured break-times. Lunch is provided on-site by Culinera catering.
Transport: The main site (Guildford Road, Chertsey) is accessible via Chertsey train station (approximately 1.5 miles away) and Addlestone bus station (approximately 2 miles away). Parking is available on adjacent roads and the school car park. The sixth form site (Highfield Road) is walking distance from the main site for those who prefer. No formal wraparound childcare (breakfast/after-school club) is mentioned as part of standard provision; families should contact the school for any non-standard hours arrangements.
Uniform is required and follows traditional secondary school standards (blazer, tie, specific colours). Mobile phones for Year 7 are prohibited; older pupils face strict restrictions (phones off, out of sight until 3:30pm). This policy applies school-wide.
Faith Commitment Expected: The school's Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, regular Masses (students may attend at chapel or participate from classrooms), religious education that engages seriously with Catholic theology, and explicit reference to Gospel values throughout the curriculum are standard. Families uncomfortable with this level of religious practice should consider whether the environment aligns with their own values. The school welcomes families of all backgrounds, but the expectation is respect for and engagement with Catholic education.
Tight Entry at Secondary: With over 800 applications for 272 places, the competition is significant. Non-Catholic families will find fewer places available (after Catholic admissions). Families should verify whether the school meets distance or faith criteria before investment of emotional energy in the application.
Split-Site Model: Main school operates on Guildford Road; sixth form on Highfield Road. Year 11 pupils transitioning to sixth form experience a physical move. Some pupils may thrive with this fresh start; others may find the transition disruptive. This structure also means younger pupils see sixth formers less frequently than in a single-site school.
Firm Discipline Culture: The school is explicit that it does not tolerate poor attendance, extreme hairstyles, or casual uniform breaches. This is intentional and part of the pastoral philosophy — boundaries are presented as caring, not punitive. However, families seeking a more permissive environment should understand this is not the school's approach.
Salesian School ranks among England's strongest state comprehensives, combining rigorous academic expectations with genuine pastoral care. The 2024 Ofsted rating of Outstanding across all five categories, paired with GCSE and A-level outcomes in the top national tiers and the designation as Surrey's top secondary school (FindMySchool data), confirms this position. The Salesian philosophy creates a distinctive culture: faith, discipline, and affection are presented as mutually reinforcing, not contradictory. Drama and music flourish; sports provision is modern and inclusive; SEND support is detailed and specialist. The school suits families who value strong academic outcomes, clear behavioural expectations, Catholic education, and breadth of opportunity beyond examinations. The main limitation is intense competition for entry. Parents comparing alternatives using the Local Hub page and FindMySchool's Comparison Tool will find this school performs consistently at the highest level.
Yes. In November 2024, Ofsted inspected the school and awarded Outstanding ratings in all five categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Sixth Form Provision. At GCSE in 2025, 49% of grades reached 9-7 (A*-A). The school ranks 451st in England for secondary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally. In the local Chertsey area, it ranks 2nd. For A-levels, 75% of grades achieved A*-B. Approximately 67% of sixth form leavers progress to university.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is funded through the state system. There are no examination fees, tuition charges, or registration costs. Families may incur expenses for uniform, school trips, and optional items (e.g., music lessons with external providers), but core education is free.
Salesian is a non-selective state comprehensive. Entry is through the local authority's coordinated admissions scheme. However, the school is heavily oversubscribed (approximately 3:1 applications to offers). As a Roman Catholic school, places are allocated first to Catholic pupils, then to pupils of other faiths or no faith. The school welcomes applications from all families but operates a faith-based admissions policy.
The school produces three major productions annually, including recent stagings of The Government Inspector, Bugsy Malone, Grease, and The Wizard of Oz. Year-group drama clubs run throughout the school; stage combat training is part of Key Stage 3 learning. In music, the school runs two bi-annual community concerts, House Music competition, and specialist ensemble teaching. Live theatre visits and music workshops (e.g., Waterbear workshops) feature regularly.
A new Eric Doherty and Peter O’Brien Sports Hall opened in June 2023, with a full-size hall, a fitness suite and upgraded changing facilities. Three astro pitches are located at the main site, with grass fields across the road. Competitive teams are fielded in football, netball, basketball, and trampoline. Sport is compulsory in Key Stage 3; optional GCSE and A-level courses are available.
The NAS Cullum Centre is a specialist resourced provision for up to 20 pupils with autism spectrum disorder, built in partnership with the National Autistic Society and Surrey County Council. These pupils access mainstream curriculum and community while receiving tailored support in a dedicated learning space on the main school site. Places are highly sought-after.
Applications for secondary entry (Year 7) are made through Surrey County Council's coordinated admissions scheme, not directly to the school. The deadline is typically mid-January for September entry. Sixth form entry is direct to the school and open to external applicants. Families should verify Catholic/non-Catholic status, as this affects place allocation. Contact the school directly (01932 582520) for admissions queries.
The school has clear, firm expectations. Mobile phones are prohibited for Year 7 pupils; older students may bring phones but must keep them off and out of sight until 3:30pm. Uniform must be worn according to school standards. Attendance is monitored closely; term-time holidays and persistent absence are not tolerated. Expectations on uniform and appearance are similarly strict. Boundaries are presented as part of a caring pastoral framework, not as punishment. This approach is intentional and central to the school's ethos.
Get in touch with the school directly
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