Christ's College, Guildford Review 2026: Community Spirit and Academic Ambition

Set in the Woodbridge area of Guildford, Christ's College serves as a community hub for students aged 11 to 16. It is a Church of England secondary school that transitioned into an academy in 2015 as part of the Good Shepherd Trust. With a school capacity of 757, it remains smaller than many of the sprawling secondary campuses in Surrey, allowing for a more personal environment where staff and students can build genuine rapport.

The school currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, following a full inspection in October 2022. It successfully balances a clear Christian ethos with the academic demands of the national curriculum. Principal Matthew Goulborn leads the college, fostering a sense of continuity and values-driven leadership. The college is noted for its inclusive approach and its commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to succeed.

The atmosphere at Christ's College is defined by its foundational values of service, respect, and stewardship. While the architecture is largely functional, the interior spaces are filled with evidence of student achievement and a clear sense of identity. As a Church of England school, the college maintains a strong chaplaincy presence, and the rhythm of the school day is underpinned by moments of reflection and collective worship.

The culture here is one of high expectations tempered by strong pastoral support. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and for the impact they have on the wider school community. The relationship between the college and the Good Shepherd Trust has brought a collaborative dimension to the school's character, with shared resources and expertise helping to refine the educational experience.

In 2024, Christ's College recorded an average Attainment 8 score of 47.9, which sits comfortably alongside the England average. The Progress 8 score of 0.01 indicates that students make progress in line with their peers nationally from their various starting points at the end of Key Stage 2.

The school ranks 1590th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 7th among secondary schools in the Guildford area. This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England, placing it within the national typical percentile band (25th to 60th percentile). Within the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 20.1% of students achieved grades 5 or above, contributing to an EBacc average point score of 4.27, which exceeds the England average of 4.08.

The curriculum at Christ's College is designed to be broad and balanced, ensuring students are well prepared for the next stage of their education or employment. In the lower years, the focus is on building strong foundations in core subjects while offering a wide range of creative and technical electives. As students move into Key Stage 4, the college offers a variety of GCSE and vocational pathways tailored to individual interests and abilities.

The quality of teaching is a clear priority. Teachers use their subject expertise to plan lessons that challenge students to think deeply and apply their knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on literacy across the curriculum, with regular opportunities for students to develop their reading and writing skills in all subjects.

The college provides a range of extracurricular opportunities that extend beyond the standard school day. The STEM programme is a particular area of focus, with the Robotics Club and Coding Society allowing students to apply technical skills to real-world problems. The music department is active, featuring the College Choir and various instrumental ensembles that perform at school events and within the local community.

Sports facilities include a large sports hall and outdoor pitches, supporting a competitive fixtures list in football, netball, and athletics. The college also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which is highly popular among students in Year 9 and 10, fostering independence and resilience through outdoor expeditions and volunteering.

Admissions for Year 7 entry are coordinated by Surrey County Council. As a Church of England school, Christ's College has a specific admissions policy that includes criteria for families who are practicing members of a Christian church, though it remains open to students of all faiths and none.

The school is typically oversubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 1.48 in recent cycles. For 2026 entry, the deadline for on-time applications through the Common Application Form was 31 October 2025. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to local applicant distribution.

Where Students Go Next

As the college does not have its own sixth form, students progress to a variety of local post-16 providers at the end of Year 11. Popular destinations include Godalming College, Guildford College, and Woking College. The school provides comprehensive careers advice and guidance from Year 7 onwards, including one-to-one interviews with a careers advisor and opportunities to meet with local employers and apprenticeship providers.

Pastoral care is a significant strength of Christ's College. The school is organised into a house system (Austen, Redgrave, Turner, and Sibley), which creates smaller communities within the larger school and encourages healthy competition and a sense of belonging. Each student has a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for both academic and personal matters.

The college also has a dedicated pastoral support team, including a chaplaincy service and trained mental health leads. This ensures that students have access to emotional support when they need it, whether through formal counselling or informal check-ins.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. Christ's College is well served by local transport, with several bus routes stopping nearby and Guildford station within walking distance for older students. While there is no primary phase, the school works closely with local primary providers to ensure a smooth transition into Year 7.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Christ's College does not charge tuition fees. It is free for all students to attend.

Financial aid and support are available for associated costs. For students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), the college provides extensive support, which may cover costs related to uniform, school trips, and learning equipment. The college also operates a Chromebook for Learning scheme with financial support available to ensure all students can access digital learning tools. Incidental costs, such as the one-off £35 payment for a locker, are managed through online payment systems.

• Oversubscription: With 1.48 applications for every available place, the school is popular and entry can be competitive for those living further away.
• Christian Ethos: The Church of England character is an integral part of school life. While inclusive, families should be comfortable with the school's religious character and regular acts of worship.
• No Sixth Form: Students must be prepared to transition to a new environment at age 16. The school provides strong support for this, but it requires a level of independence from students.
• National Typical Performance: While the school performs well, its rankings place it in the middle 35% of schools in England. Families seeking "elite" tier academic metrics may wish to compare results using the Local Hub page.

Christ's College, Guildford, is a school that successfully marries a supportive Christian ethos with a clear commitment to academic progress. It offers a smaller, more intimate secondary environment than many of its neighbours, making it an excellent fit for students who thrive in a community-focused setting. Best suited to local families who value a balanced education where pastoral care and character development are given equal weight to GCSE outcomes.