Cobham Free School Review 2026: An Ambitious All-Through Community

In a competitive corner of Surrey where independent schools often dominate the landscape, Cobham Free School has established itself as a significant state-funded alternative. Since opening in 2012, it has grown from a fledgling primary into a full all-through institution serving students from age 4 to 18. The school operates across three distinct sites in Cobham, providing a structured journey from the Lower School at Old Common through to the Senior Department on Portsmouth Road.

Michaela Khatib has led the school as Executive Head since its founding, ensuring a consistent vision as the school reached its full capacity. The school maintains a "Good" rating from Ofsted, with the most recent inspection in May 2023 confirming that leaders have successfully fostered a culture of high aspirations. For local families, it represents a rare opportunity for a seamless, 14-year educational pathway without the fees associated with nearby preparatory and senior schools.

The atmosphere at Cobham Free School is defined by a sense of community ownership, a legacy of its origins as a parent-led initiative. Despite its expansion to over 1,000 students, the school maintains a smaller feel by dividing into specialized departments. The Senior Department, which opened more recently, offers modern facilities that mirror the professional environment students will encounter at university.

A defining feature of the school is its commitment to music, which is integrated into the daily rhythm of school life. The motto, Optimum Omnibus (The Best for All), reflects a commitment to providing a broad, liberal arts-style education. While the school is non-religious, it emphasizes traditional values of respect and responsibility through a house system that encourages older students to mentor their younger peers.

Cobham Free School delivers academic performance that sits comfortably above the England average across all key stages. In 2024, 71% of primary pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of 61%. The school ranks 1st in Cobham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 15% of schools in England.

At the secondary level, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 55.7 in 2024, well above the England average of 45.9. More impressively, its Progress 8 score of +0.53 indicates that students make significantly better progress than their peers nationally. This performance ranks the school 769th in England for GCSEs (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the top 20% of schools.

The sixth form is still maturing but shows a solid foundation. In 2024, 38.7% of A-level entries achieved A*-B grades. While the school ranks 1,848th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), this reflects a "national lower" percentile band (top 70%), though it remains one of the top choices for state-funded post-16 education in the immediate Cobham area.

The curriculum follows a "classical liberal" model, ensuring that students receive a heavy grounding in core academic subjects alongside the arts. In the Lower School, the focus is on achieving high standards in literacy and numeracy, with specialist music teaching starting in Reception.

As students move into the Senior Department, the curriculum remains rigorous. The school has a high entry rate for the EBacc (English Baccalaureate), with nearly 47% of students entered for this suite of academic subjects compared to a 40% England average. Classes are kept small where possible, particularly in the sixth form, to allow for more personalized instruction. Specialist teachers are used throughout the secondary phase to ensure that students are challenged by subject experts.

The all-through structure means that the vast majority of Year 6 pupils progress naturally into the Middle School. For those leaving at 18, the school has established a clear pipeline to higher education. In 2024, 53% of leavers progressed to university, with a significant number securing places at Russell Group institutions.

According to the latest DfE leaver data, a further 10% of students entered employment, while 3% began apprenticeships. Popular destinations include local universities and those specializing in the sciences and creative arts, reflecting the school's dual focus on academic rigour and creative expression.

Securing a place at Cobham Free School is exceptionally difficult due to intense local demand. For Reception entry in 2026, the application deadline is 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026. The school is consistently oversubscribed; for the most recent intake, there were over 130 applications for just 48 places.

For Year 7 entry, the process is coordinated by Surrey County Council, with a deadline of 31 October annually. In the most recent cycle there were 469 applications for 59 external places, making it one of the region’s most oversubscribed schools. Most places are filled by internal progression from Year 6. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their distance from the school gates, as the successful distance is often very small. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Cobham Free School does not charge tuition fees for any of its pupils from age 4 to 18. This represents a significant financial advantage for families in an area where independent school fees can exceed £30,000 per year.

For students in the sixth form, the school manages a 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. This is designed to help students from lower-income households with the costs of books, equipment, and travel. High-priority bursaries of up to £1,200 per year are available for vulnerable groups, while discretionary bursaries are awarded based on individual financial need.

Pastoral support is a clear strength, with the 2023 Ofsted report noting that pupils feel safe and that bullying is not tolerated. The school uses a house system to create a "family" atmosphere, and staff are described as inclusive and caring.

The school employs a dedicated pastoral team, and students have access to counseling services if needed. The small sixth form cohort allows for a high degree of individual attention, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the emotional and academic transitions of post-16 life.

The extracurricular programme is heavily weighted toward music and the arts. The school offers a "Music Award" scholarship priority for students entering Year 7 and Year 12 who show exceptional musical potential. These scholars receive additional performance opportunities and specialized mentoring.

STEM: Logic and Discovery

Science and mathematics are core pillars of the senior curriculum. The Portsmouth Road site features well-equipped laboratories where students participate in robotics clubs and national mathematics challenges. The school encourages participation in the CREST Awards, allowing students to conduct independent research projects. This focus on STEM ensures that students are well-prepared for competitive university courses in medicine, engineering, and computer science.

Other activities include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is popular across the senior years, and a variety of sports teams including rugby, football, and netball.

The school operates across three sites. The Lower School (Reception to Year 4) is at Old Common, the Middle School (Year 5 to Year 9) is at Hurst Lodge, and the Senior Department (Year 10 to Year 13) is on Portsmouth Road.

The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available for younger pupils to support working parents. For the Portsmouth Road site, the nearest rail link is Cobham & Stoke d'Abernon station, which provides services toward London Waterloo and Guildford.

• Logistical Complexity: The three-site structure means that families with children in different year groups may face complicated morning drop-offs.
• Intense Competition: Admission to Year 7 is particularly difficult for external applicants, as the majority of places are taken by internal Year 6 pupils.
• Developing Sixth Form: While the primary and GCSE results are exceptional, the sixth form is still building its reputation, with A-level results currently sitting in the middle range of England schools.

Cobham Free School is a sought-after choice that offers the ethos and musical breadth of an independent school without the tuition fees. It provides a stable and ambitious environment for local families, characterized by strong GCSE progress and a genuine sense of community. Best suited to families living within the very tight distance radius who value a continuous, all-through education with a strong emphasis on the arts and academic rigour.