Raynes Park High School Review 2026: Inclusive Community with Strong Progress

Situated on Bushey Road where the suburbs of Merton meet the A3 corridor, Raynes Park High School (RPHS) serves a diverse slice of South West London. The 1930s brick facade hides a campus that has expanded significantly to accommodate 1,400 students. While often overshadowed by its selective neighbours in the borough, Raynes Park has carved out a distinct identity as a truly inclusive comprehensive that delivers solid value-added progress.

The school operates as a mixed Community School, maintaining close links with the Local Authority. It hosts a specialized Access Centre for students with autism, which shapes the calm and accepting culture found across the wider school. With a Progress 8 score of +0.22 in 2024, students here achieve roughly a quarter of a grade higher across their subjects than their peers with similar starting points nationally.

The first impression at the school gates is one of scale and diversity. The student body reflects the full demographic range of Merton, bringing a vibrancy that feels distinct from the more homogenous selective schools nearby. Miss Kirsten Taylor, who has led the school as Headteacher since 2015, has fostered a culture where "Excellence for All" is interpreted as personal best rather than just league table position.

The House system is central to the school's identity, with students allocated to Gibbs, Halliwells, Miltons, or Newsoms. These names are not arbitrary; they reflect the local history of the area, grounding the school in its community. Competition between houses is fierce but friendly, encompassing everything from inter-house debating to the annual sports day.

Inclusion is a lived reality rather than a policy document. The on-site Access Centre supports students with autism spectrum conditions, and these students are integrated into mainstream lessons where appropriate. This presence has a tangible impact on the atmosphere; there is a general level of patience and acceptance among the student body that visitors often remark upon. The corridors, while busy, are generally orderly, managed by a visible staff presence and clear behaviour protocols.

Physically, the site is a mix of the original and the new. The older buildings provide traditional classrooms with high ceilings, while recent investments have added modern science labs and a dedicated Sixth Form centre. The location near the A3 means the site is easily accessible, though it also means the hum of London traffic is a constant background presence, a reminder of the school's connectivity to the capital.

In 2024, Raynes Park High School delivered a solid set of examination results that reflect its comprehensive intake and focus on student progress.

GCSE Performance

The school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.22, a critical metric that indicates students make above-average progress from their primary school baselines. In terms of attainment, the school ranks 2684th in England and 12th in Merton for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band).

While the headline attainment figures may appear modest compared to local grammar schools, the value-added data tells the stronger story. The focus on core subjects is evident, with the average Attainment 8 score standing at 43.6.

Post-16 Outcomes

At A-level, the school serves a broad ability range. In 2024, 39.76% of grades were A*-B. The school ranks 1833rd in England for A-level outcomes, placing it in the national lower band (below England average). However, top-end achievement remains possible for the most able; the 2024 cohort saw one student secure acceptance to the University of Cambridge, demonstrating that the pathway to elite universities remains open for high achievers.

The curriculum at Raynes Park is designed to keep options open for as long as possible. Key Stage 3 covers a broad base, including drama, music, and design technology alongside the core academic subjects. The school resists the trend of narrowing the curriculum too early, allowing students to make informed choices for their GCSEs.

Teaching quality was praised in the latest Ofsted inspection (November 2024), which rated the school Good. Strengths were noted in the English and Humanities departments. Teachers are adept at scaffolding lessons to suit mixed-ability classes, a necessary skill in a non-selective environment. For example, in a Year 9 history lesson, you might find some students analyzing primary sources with high-level independence while others receive structured writing frames to support their analysis of the same topic.

The school places a heavy emphasis on literacy. 'Drop Everything and Read' sessions are a staple of the lower years, and vocabulary instruction is explicit across all subjects. This focus is crucial for closing the gap for students who join with lower reading ages, ensuring they can access the full curriculum by Key Stage 4.

Technology is increasingly integrated into lessons, with Google Classroom used extensively for homework and resource sharing. This digital backbone proved vital during recent years and continues to support independent study, particularly for Sixth Form students preparing for university-style learning.

The destinations data for Raynes Park High School highlights the diverse pathways chosen by its students. In 2024, 59% of leavers progressed to university. While this figure is slightly lower than some selective neighbours, it is balanced by a strong showing in alternative routes.

Notably, 22% of leavers moved directly into employment, a figure significantly higher than the national average, suggesting the school provides robust careers advice and prepares students well for the workplace. A further 6% secured apprenticeships, reflecting the school's support for vocational ambition.

For those heading to university, the spread of institutions is wide. While one student accepted a place at Cambridge in 2024, many others headed to solid mid-tariff universities. The school supports these applications through a structured UCAS programme in Year 12, though families aiming for the most competitive Russell Group courses may find they need to drive the process proactively alongside the school's support.

Admission to Raynes Park High School is coordinated by the London Borough of Merton. As a community school, it is non-selective, but its popularity has grown significantly in recent years.

In 2024, the school was heavily oversubscribed, receiving 567 applications for 200 places in Year 7. This results in a subscription ratio of approximately 2.8 applicants per place. While this sounds daunting, it is worth noting that many applicants list Raynes Park as a backup to local grammar schools; consequently, the waiting list can move significantly after offer day.

Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings of current students, and those with specific medical or social needs. After these criteria, places are allocated based on straight-line distance from the school.

Catchment and Distance

The school does not have a fixed catchment area map; the boundary is determined by the distance of the last child offered a place. This distance varies annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families living in Raynes Park and West Barnes are typically well-placed, but those further afield in Morden or Wimbledon Park should check historical data carefully.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system and year groups. Each student has a form tutor who acts as the first point of contact. The school prides itself on being "big enough to offer opportunity, but small enough to care," and for the most part, this holds true.

The pastoral team includes non-teaching Heads of Year who have the capacity to deal with issues as they arise during the school day without being tied to a teaching timetable. This availability is crucial for resolving friendship issues or behavioural incidents before they escalate.

Mental health support is available through on-site counsellors and external partnerships. The school's experience with the Access Centre means that staff are generally well-trained in recognizing the signs of anxiety or sensory overload, creating a supportive environment for neurodivergent students across the main school as well.

The extracurricular offer at Raynes Park is a clear strength, particularly in sport and the arts. The school benefits from expansive playing fields, a luxury in London, including a large grass area and floodlit astroturf pitches.

Sport

Sport is a pillar of school life. The Raynes Park Basketball Academy is a standout feature, offering elite-level coaching and competition pathways that rival specialist sports colleges. Football and rugby are also strong, with teams competing regularly in borough and county leagues. The school's partnership with the Wimbledon Club offers students access to high-quality cricket and hockey coaching, bridging the gap between school and club sport.

The Arts

The Drama and Music departments are active and ambitious. The annual school production is a major event in the calendar, involving dozens of students on stage and behind the scenes. Recent years have seen ambitious stagings of musicals that utilize the main hall's full lighting and sound rig. Peripatetic music lessons are available for a wide range of instruments, and the school orchestra performs at local community events, fostering links with the wider Raynes Park population.

Clubs and Societies

Beyond the major pillars, there is a healthy ecosystem of smaller clubs. The STEM Club runs projects that often feed into national competitions, while the Debate Society helps students articulate their views on current affairs. The Harry Potter Club is a favourite among Year 7s, providing a soft landing for new starters. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze and Silver levels, with high uptake among Year 10 and 11 students, providing valuable experience in resilience and teamwork.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents should budget for uniform, sports kit, and voluntary contributions for trips and specialized music lessons.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm, with extracurricular clubs typically finishing around 4:15pm. The site is exceptionally well-connected; Raynes Park station is a short walk away, providing direct links to Wimbledon and Waterloo, while numerous bus routes stop directly outside on Bushey Road.

Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a black blazer with the school badge, school tie, and black trousers or skirt. The school takes a firm line on appearance as part of its "ready to learn" ethos.

There is no breakfast club provision for secondary students, but the canteen serves food at break and lunch. A cashless catering system is in place to speed up service.

Mixed Ability Environment: As a true comprehensive, classes in Key Stage 3 often contain a very wide range of abilities. Parents of highly academic children should ensure they are comfortable with mixed-ability teaching methods and may need to monitor that their child is being sufficiently stretched in the lower years.

A-Level Positioning: While the Sixth Form is inclusive and supportive, the A-level ranking (national lower band) suggests that the academic "value added" at Key Stage 5 is not as high as at GCSE. Students aiming for the most competitive university courses will need to be self-driven and may need to seek out super-curricular opportunities proactively.

Traffic and Pollution: The school's location on the busy Bushey Road (A3) offers great transport links but does mean the front of the school is subject to traffic noise and pollution. The campus design mitigates this for the classrooms set further back, but it is a factor of the urban setting.

Raynes Park High School is a community comprehensive in the truest sense. It accepts children of all abilities and backgrounds and adds genuine value to their education, as evidenced by the strong Progress 8 scores. It lacks the shiny academic prestige of the local grammars, but it offers something else: a grounded, inclusive, and realistic preparation for the world, supported by excellent sports facilities and a caring pastoral team. Best suited to local families who value social diversity and holistic progress over high-pressure hothousing. The main challenge is securing a place in an increasingly popular school.