When the De La Salle order (Religious Order of Christian Instruction) arrived at Effingham Hill in 1928 with four pupils and an ambitious vision, it marked the start of what later became England’s largest Catholic independent girls’ school. Built around a Georgian mansion dating to 1799, the school occupies 55 acres of designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the Surrey Hills, yet remains just 30 minutes from London by train and a short drive from Gatwick and Heathrow.
With 581 pupils spanning ages four to eighteen, St Teresa's balances scale with intimacy. The school has experienced remarkable growth of 60% in the past five years, driven by an increasingly sophisticated approach to learning that combines academic rigour with genuine breadth. Dr Claire McShane, who became Headmistress in 2013 after years in senior leadership roles, has presided over this expansion with distinctive purpose: to educate girls not as exam machines, but as individuals whose talents, whatever form they take, are recognised and developed. A-level results place the school in the top 25% in England (FindMySchool ranking), whilst the sixth form, housed in a state-of-the-art centre that opened in 2018, has become a beacon for high-achieving girls seeking rigorous A-level study within a boarding-friendly environment. Past pupils, affectionately known as STOGs (St Teresa's Old Girls), maintain strong ties to the school through an active alumni association.
The school's Catholic identity runs throughout daily life, yet it describes itself as welcoming to families of all faiths and none. Mass is celebrated regularly, and religious education reflects the school's explicit values. However, the atmosphere is notably warm rather than austere; girls speak of feeling known individually, and staff maintain that no pupil is invisible. This commitment to individual care extends beyond pastoral concern into curriculum design, where each girl's pathway is tailored to her abilities and aspirations.
The Victorian and Georgian architecture at the heart of the campus creates a sense of continuity and heritage. The main building, originally John Fuller's 1799 mansion, forms the nucleus of the senior school and has been thoughtfully extended with modern facilities. The chapel provides a spiritual focal point. Yet the school has invested substantially in contemporary amenities: the £3.5 million Performing Arts Centre, opened in 2005, features a 750-seat theatre with professional-standard technical equipment. The multi-million-pound Sixth Form Centre, completed in 2018, houses dedicated sixth form teaching spaces and common rooms.
Boarding life features five residential houses named after saints (St Dominic, St Benedict, St Ignatius, Tabitha, and Francis). Younger boarders share bedrooms, whilst Year 10 students typically share with one other girl, and sixth form students have their own study bedrooms. Housemistresses live on-site with families, maintaining continuity and genuine pastoral oversight. The 57 current boarders, drawn from the UK and internationally, form a distinctive community within the larger school.
Girls are described in recent reviews as wholesome and sensible in appearance. The mobile phone policy, introduced via Yondr pouches during the school day, creates a technology-free learning environment, though sixth formers retain access to their devices. A pupil-led wellbeing hub has recently opened in the senior school — described as a quiet, softly furnished space where girls can seek support discreetly.
St Teresa's ranks 2017th in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the national typical band (FindMySchool data). This ranking reflects solid, reliable performance in line with the middle tier of England schools. The average Attainment 8 score of 50.4 slightly exceeds the England average of 45.9. These figures are consistent with the school's stated position: not an academic hothouse, but a place where girls achieve good grades whilst developing beyond examination success.
The sixth form tells a different, stronger story. At A-level, 69% of grades achieved A*-B, well above the England average of 47%. The school's most recent announcement highlights a value-added score placing the year group in the top 15% of schools in England, and students regularly secure places at prestigious universities. The A-level ranking of 413 places St Teresa's in the national strong tier (top 25% in England, FindMySchool data), indicating that sixth form teaching represents a significant step up in academic challenge and achievement.
The 2025 A-level cohort, with students pursuing fields from Law and Medicine to Fashion Studies and Dance, secured places at universities including LSE, King's College London, and Russell Group institutions. This diversity of destination reflects the school's philosophy: girls are not steered towards a single model of success, but encouraged to pursue their own intellectual and creative interests.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
69.03%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching is structured and intentional. Classes in the lower school are mixed ability, with setting introduced progressively in mathematics and sciences. The curriculum follows the national framework but benefits from curriculum additions in modern and classical languages, offered from Year 7. Specialist teaching begins in the preparatory school, where separate sciences are taught from Year 5.
The school emphasises intellectual curiosity and resilience as much as grades. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, and the inspection report highlighted the ambitious curriculum as a key strength. Sixth form teaching occurs in smaller groups, with the dedicated Sixth Form Centre providing distinct teaching and social spaces that foster independence and focused study. A-level subjects span traditional academic disciplines (History, Latin, Russian) and contemporary options (Psychology, Media Studies, Film Studies), with three sciences taught separately.
Learning support is formalised and accessible. The school supports approximately 100 girls across both prep and senior school using individualised approaches: one-to-one tuition, help with study skills and organisational strategies, and aids such as reading pens. Specialist assessments inform adjustments. This inclusion represents a deliberate choice, entry at 11+ is selective but not solely academically based, and the school integrates girls with a range of needs.
The 2023-24 leavers cohort showed 77% progressing to university, 5% to further education, and 18% to employment. This represents typical outcomes for independent schools of this academic level. Notable recent destinations for sixth form leavers include Imperial College, Edinburgh, Bristol, Durham, and Warwick, alongside Oxford and Cambridge. The specific Oxbridge numbers are not publicly disclosed by the school, but the consistent mention of Oxbridge success in recent communications suggests a meaningful pipeline.
The school provides structured careers guidance and university preparation, with the Director of Sixth Form overseeing progression. A dedicated Head of Careers works with individual students from Year 10 onwards.
The Performing Arts Centre is a transformative facility, and it shows in the quality and ambition of the school's theatrical output. Drama productions throughout the year feature full casts and orchestral accompaniment. Recent major productions have included ambitious interpretations of classical texts and contemporary works, often involving live orchestra. The theatre seats 750 with tiered professional seating, allowing large-scale productions. Drama is taught at GCSE and A-level, and the dedicated drama suites enable multiple simultaneous rehearsals. Many girls describe the performing arts as a central pillar of their experience.
Music facilities include dedicated music suites with soundproofed teaching rooms, practice areas, and ensemble rehearsal spaces. The school choir performs in concerts and has toured regionally. Chamber groups include strings and wind ensembles. Individual tuition in orchestral instruments, piano, and voice is available through the school's network of visiting specialists. All pupils participate in some form of music during their school career, whether GCSE study, ensemble participation, or informal performance. A-level Music draws on the strong traditions and facilities.
The school's sports facilities span a 25-metre indoor swimming pool (completed 2003), multiple tennis courts (part of the dedicated Tennis Academy), rugby and hockey pitches, netball courts, and a floodlit all-weather pitch. Sport is compulsory for younger pupils at three hours per week, though girls easily triple this through extensive co-curricular offering.
The Tennis Academy is a distinct feature, operating elite coaching alongside recreational participation. The Academy partners with professional coaches and offers structured development pathways. Many girls progress to county and regional competition.
Rowing is a significant strength, with the school maintaining a boathouse and regularly entering crews in regional competitions. The Thames connection, via nearby boathouses, provides excellent facilities.
Equestrian provision is extensive. The St Teresa's Equestrian Centre operates independently, offering riding lessons from beginner through competitive levels, and serves both school pupils and external clients. BHS qualifications and pathway competitions feature prominently.
Additional sports include netball, hockey, cross-country, lacrosse, gymnastics, and badminton, with fixtures organised at competitive and recreational levels. The school's weekly sports bulletin and regular fixtures ensure high visibility.
The school maintains an active co-curricular programme. Named societies and clubs include debating societies, subject-specific clubs in STEM fields, language clubs (French, Spanish, Mandarin), and creative societies. The sixth form particularly benefits from university-style societies and enrichment activities. Duke of Edinburgh is offered at Bronze and Silver levels. Leadership opportunities abound through house systems, prefect roles, and elected student representatives.
The Visual Arts department operates dedicated studios with ceramics facilities, printmaking equipment, and traditional and digital media. A-level Art candidates produce substantial portfolios, and the school regularly enters work in exhibitions. Photography and digital media feature as both curriculum and co-curricular options.
The school publication, produced by pupils, provides an outlet for written work. Creative writing groups and collaborative projects with English departments encourage storytelling and expression.
Computing is taught from the preparatory school through to A-level. The school is a Microsoft IT Academy accredited institution, enabling pupils to develop coding skills from Year 4 onwards. Computer Science is offered at GCSE and A-level. Science clubs and competitions encourage engagement beyond the formal curriculum.
Day fees for 2025-26 are tiered by year group:
Boarding fees (for Years 7-13) are:
Lunch fees are compulsory and additional (£350-£395 per term depending on year group).
A registration fee of £90 is required with the application, and a refundable deposit of £600 (day students) or £1,500-£12,795 (boarders, depending on origin) is payable on acceptance.
Additional costs include music tuition (available through visiting specialists), learning support (£36-£48 per session), transport (£595-£665 termly depending on zone), and examination and trip fees.
Bursaries are available for families demonstrating financial need. Scholarships carry prestige and typically offer 10-25% fee reduction. The school's financial aid policy aims to keep the school accessible to girls of genuine ability regardless of family income, though specific percentages receiving assistance are not published.
Fees data coming soon.
Entry to the senior school at 11+ is via entrance examination in English, Mathematics, Science, and Verbal Reasoning. The school describes selection as non-solely academic, meaning girls demonstrating other talents or potential may be considered alongside those with stellar exam performance. Approximately 150 places are available in Year 7, making entry competitive but not exclusively academic in nature.
The prep school feeds into the senior school, though external entry is the majority route. Transition is carefully managed, with summer induction programmes and mentoring structures.
Entry to the sixth form requires strong GCSE results (typically grade 6 or above in A-level subjects) but is open to external candidates. The sixth form has expanded with the 2018 centre, and admissions appear increasingly popular with girls from partner schools in the Effingham Schools Trust (Cranmore and Manor House).
Scholarships are available for entry at Years 7 and 9 (senior school) and sixth form. Academic scholarships are awarded on entrance exam performance. Music, art, sport, and all-round scholarships are also offered, typically carrying 10-25% fee reduction.
Bursaries are available for means-tested assistance, though the percentage of pupils receiving bursarial support is not disclosed publicly. Families are encouraged to contact the school directly for bursary discussions.
Pastoral structures are layered. Tutor groups of 6-8 students provide day-to-day oversight. Year heads manage larger cohorts. For boarders, housemistresses and residential staff are the primary pastoral contact, supported by the pastoral team.
Mental health support has been strengthened in recent years. A pupil-led wellbeing hub provides a safe space where girls can request support discreetly. In the prep school, wellbeing boards allow similar confidential communication. The school employs trained counsellors and works with external services as needed.
Physical health is managed by qualified nursing staff on-site. An anti-bullying policy and clear behaviour expectations are enforced consistently. The school's Yondr phone policy aims to reduce screen-time stress and create a technology-free social environment during the school day.
Boarders benefit from additional support: housemistresses conduct regular wellbeing check-ins, flexible routines accommodate individual needs, and strong peer support emerges from the house system. Weekend activities (trips, social events, parties, barbecues) are deliberately planned to maintain morale and build community.
School hours for the senior school are typically 8:00am to 4:00pm, with some variations by year group. Prep school hours follow a similar pattern. Boarding begins from Year 7, though day places remain the majority of the school's intake.
Transport services operate from defined zones, with termly costs ranging from £595-£665. The school also provides bus services to surrounding areas for day pupils. For international boarders, the school arranges travel to and from airports during holiday periods, with associated costs.
Uniform is required throughout the school, including for boarders. The school operates a second-hand uniform shop through the parent association (FOST), offering cost savings.
Catholic environment with explicit religious practice. Daily or regular Mass, explicit religious teaching, and a values-based curriculum reflecting Catholic theology are genuinely embedded. Families of other faiths are welcomed, but the Catholic character is not incidental, it is woven throughout. Families uncomfortable with this should seek alternatives.
Boarding is integral but not compulsory. The school is thriving as both a day and boarding community. However, the boarding culture and house system are prominent, and day pupils, whilst accommodated, exist within a culture where many peers board. This suits some families perfectly and creates challenges for others.
Competition for entry increases annually. Growing reputation and word-of-mouth have made entry increasingly selective. Entrance examination preparation is expected by many families, and places are competitive. This is not a default choice for local families; admission requires genuine academic achievement or notable talent.
Sixth form is increasingly a draw for external candidates. The new Sixth Form Centre and strong A-level results are attracting girls from neighbouring independent schools and state secondaries. This shifts the demographic and social fabric slightly, which some existing pupils welcome and others experience as change.
Transport can be significant. For families more than 30 minutes away, daily commuting becomes challenging. Boarding solves this but adds cost and creates a different family dynamic. Day pupils commuting from a distance may find themselves constrained by school hours.
St Teresa's has evolved dramatically over the past decade. It remains grounded in Catholic values and pastoral commitment, the school is not an academic factory, yet the A-level results now rival competitive independent schools in England. The sixth form, in particular, has become a compelling choice for girls seeking rigorous academics within a supportive, boarding-friendly environment.
The school suits confident, engaged girls who thrive with individual attention and a broad palette of opportunities. It works well for families who value Catholic education or who appreciate the school's values-based approach regardless of faith background. For boarders, the house system and residential infrastructure create a genuine community and stability.
Entry is now competitive, and families should approach admissions seriously rather than as a default option. The school's remarkable growth means it is currently at a point of particular confidence and ambition, reflected in investment in facilities and teaching strength.
Best suited to girls aged 11-18 seeking strong academics with genuine breadth, a boarding option (full, weekly, or flexi), and a Catholic values framework. The sixth form is particularly strong for university-bound students. Entry is selective but not impossibly so for girls of solid ability and genuine interest.
Yes. The school ranks in the top 25% in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool data), with 69% of grades achieving A*-B, well above the England average. The 2023 ISI inspection (Educational Quality) confirmed strong teaching and an ambitious curriculum. Girls regularly secure places at Russell Group universities including Oxbridge. For GCSE, the school sits in the national typical band, reflecting solid performance. It is described as England’s largest Catholic independent girls’ school, and the school reports around 60% growth over the past five years.
Day fees for 2025-26 range from £7,230 per term in Year 5-6 to £9,180 per term in Year 9-11. Boarding fees range from £13,450 per term (weekly boarders, younger years) to £15,695 per term (full boarders, older years). Additional costs include lunch (£350-£395 per term), transport (£595-£665 termly), and music tuition. A registration fee of £90 and a refundable deposit (£600 for day, £1,500-£12,795 for boarders) apply on acceptance. Bursaries and scholarships are available for eligible families.
Entry at 11+ is competitive and based on entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, Science, and Verbal Reasoning. The school aims for selective but not solely academic entry, girls demonstrating talent in music, sport, or art, or showing clear potential, may be considered alongside high-performing academics. Approximately 150 places are available annually for a much larger applicant pool, making entry genuinely competitive. Entrance exam preparation is common among families.
Yes. Boarding is available from Year 7 onwards on a full (7 nights), weekly (5 nights), flexi (per night), or occasional basis. The school currently houses approximately 57 boarders within a residential structure of five named houses. Boarders and day pupils integrate fully within the school community. Weekly boarding is popular with families requiring greater flexibility. International boarders are welcomed and represented at approximately 15% of the boarding population.
The 2025 A-level cohort achieved 69% A*-B grades, placing the year group in the top 15% of schools in England (value-added measure). Sixth form students progress to universities including Imperial College, King's College London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Durham, and Warwick. The cohort pursues diverse subjects from Law and Medicine to Film Studies and Dance. 17% of leavers progress to university from the overall school population, whilst 5% pursue further education and 18% enter employment.
The school offers a comprehensive co-curricular programme spanning sport, music, drama, arts, and STEM. Sports include rowing, tennis, hockey, netball, rugby, lacrosse, cross-country, swimming, and equestrian. The dedicated Tennis Academy provides elite coaching alongside recreational participation. The Equestrian Centre offers riding from beginner to competitive levels. Sport is compulsory for younger pupils and highly popular across the school. Named clubs include debating societies, language clubs, creative writing groups, and subject-specific societies. Music includes ensembles, individual tuition, and a vibrant concert programme. The Performing Arts Centre hosts major theatrical productions with professional-standard facilities.
Music is a significant strength. The school has dedicated music suites with soundproofed teaching rooms, practice areas, and ensemble rehearsal spaces. A school choir performs in regular concerts. Ensembles include strings and wind groups. Individual tuition in orchestral instruments, piano, and voice is available through visiting specialists. Music is taught at GCSE and A-level. Most pupils participate in some form of music during their school career. The school's relationship with the Performing Arts Centre allows for ambitious concert performances and recordings.
St Teresa's is a Catholic school with explicit religious practice including daily or regular Mass and religious education rooted in Catholic theology. However, the school describes itself as welcoming to families of all faiths and none. The Catholic character is genuine and pervasive, not incidental. Families of other faiths are accepted and integrated, but they should understand that religious education and celebration are central to school life.
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