Teddington School Review 2026: Strong Academics Meet Inclusive Community

In 1962, when Teddington School first opened its doors to boys from the former Stanley Road and Twickenham Technical schools, it emerged as part of a new wave of state secondary education. Today, six decades later, this mixed comprehensive sits at the heart of Richmond upon Thames, serving over 1,300 students aged 11-18 with a philosophy rooted in inclusion and ambition. The rebuilt campus, a £36 million transformation completed in 2011, rises as a model of modern educational design, with its distinctive learning village architecture drawing praise for creating collaborative spaces without traditional corridors. Under the leadership of Headteacher Paul Grills (since 2022) and operated by the Bourne Education Trust since 2019, the school has navigated financial difficulties and emerged stronger, securing a Good Ofsted rating in January 2022 and demonstrating measurable progress across both main school and sixth form.

Teddington School occupies a campus that reflects purposeful design thinking. The main building, opened by former MP Vince Cable in 2011, features open breakout zones beneath a sloping timber roof that maximises natural daylight — a deliberate architectural choice to encourage collaborative learning. Walking through the gates reveals a school that takes its community role seriously. The buildings speak to thoughtful planning: multiple blocks house specialist teaching spaces, and outdoor areas integrate with the adjacent Teddington Sports Centre, creating a shared resource for both students and the wider borough.

The atmosphere centres on what the school describes as the Teddington Pillars: Inclusion, Opportunity, and Excellence. This is not merely aspirational language. The school's commitment to inclusion is genuine and pervasive. Ofsted noted that students are "respectful towards one another," with "positive relationships between staff and pupils" underpinning daily interactions. Behaviour is calm and orderly, and bullying is not tolerated. Teaching takes place within supportive, inclusive classrooms where diversity is celebrated actively in the curriculum. Staff work deliberately to create an environment where students feel safe and academically challenged simultaneously.

The sixth form, introduced in 2014, has grown into a thriving community within the main school. Year 12 and 13 students benefit from a dedicated two-storey building equipped with eight classrooms, three science laboratories, an ICT suite, a multimedia study centre, and a dedicated café. Class sizes drop significantly at sixth form level, allowing for greater engagement. The school's recent recognition as Mental Health Award Winner speaks to the seriousness with which pastoral and emotional wellbeing are treated. This is a school where students describe learning as fun and teaching staff as genuinely supportive.

GCSE Performance

Teddington's GCSE results place the school firmly in the upper tier of comprehensive schools nationally. In 2024, 44% of all grades achieved were 9-7 (the top grades), with 15% achieving 9-8 alone. These figures compare well against England averages and reflect the school's non-selective intake — students arrive with the full spectrum of prior attainment. The Attainment 8 score of 53.6 sits well above typical performance, and Progress 8 of +0.23 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points.

The school ranks 591st in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 13% nationally and 13th among 39 secondary schools in Richmond upon Thames. This consistent delivery demonstrates that strong results are achievable within a truly comprehensive model. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry reaches 38%, with 38% achieving grades 5+ across the full EBacc suite — a solid position for a school that does not select its intake.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form, despite its relative youth, delivers credible results. In 2025, 32% of A-level grades achieved A* to A, with 53% reaching A*-B. These results exceed England averages and place the school in the middle tier of sixth form performance. The school's own data indicates that 90% of Year 13 leavers in 2025 secured university places, including destinations beyond traditional universities. This progression rate demonstrates that the school's sixth form functions effectively as a bridge to higher education and meaningful pathways.

The school ranks 944th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting solid rather than elite sixth form outcomes. Given that the school draws from its own comprehensive GCSE cohort rather than selecting a elite group, this position is respectable.

The school deliberately structures learning to build both knowledge and skills. Curriculum provision across Key Stage 3 emphasises breadth, ensuring students encounter a wide range of disciplines. English, mathematics, and sciences form the core, supplemented by history, geography, modern foreign languages (4-6 lessons per fortnight), and religious studies delivered through tutor time. The design encourages literacy and numeracy across all subjects while building critical thinking.

At GCSE, students pursue qualifications across multiple subjects, with mathematics and English mandatory and sciences offered as separate qualifications rather than combined awards. This structure supports those targeting competitive universities or technical pathways. The school also offers Learn Latin as an enrichment option, reflecting its commitment to broadening horizons beyond statutory curriculum requirements.

Teaching is organised around clear structures and high expectations. Ofsted noted that teaching standards are good and that leaders have high expectations. Independent monitoring through the Immersive Learning Space and other assessment mechanisms means progress is tracked carefully. The school employs differentiation strategies to ensure that students across the ability spectrum are appropriately challenged. For those with SEND, the Kingfisher Centre provides additional coordination and support, with individual strategies and personalised targets set in consultation with families.

In the 2023-24 cohort, 43% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 28% entering employment and 2% starting apprenticeships. This distribution reflects the school's comprehensive intake and the breadth of pathways it supports. The school has developed increasingly strong university outcomes, with the sixth form's recent growth and stabilisation contributing to more students accessing higher education. Specific university destinations are not published in aggregate, but the school's website highlights progression to Russell Group universities and competitive courses.

The absence of Oxbridge representatives in recent years reflects the broader demographic reality of comprehensive schools. However, progression to reputable universities and meaningful careers is the primary measure of sixth form success here, and on that basis the school is effective.

The school's careers programme is notably thorough. The Future Ready framework guides all students through explicit career exploration, with external speakers, university visits, and pathway specialists embedded throughout the school day. Students in the sixth form receive sustained guidance on subject selection, university entry requirements, and alternative progression routes, including apprenticeships and technical qualifications.

Sports: Inclusive Excellence with Elite Pathways

Sport at Teddington operates on an inclusive model layered with elite opportunity. All students take core PE, and participation in extracurricular sport is genuinely encouraged for those of all abilities. The sports programme lists football, netball, rugby, handball, volleyball, table tennis, hockey, cricket, badminton, beach volleyball, athletics, martial arts, basketball, softball, and rounders as regular offerings, alongside newer additions including NFL Flag and pop lacrosse.

Facilities are outstanding for a state school. Two astro turf pitches, a multi-purpose sports hall, two activity studios, and two tennis courts provide capacity for a high level of participation. The adjacent Teddington Sports Centre, shared with the local authority, extends access and creates genuine community integration.

The pinnacle opportunity is the Wimbledon Ball Boys and Girls (BBG) programme, unique to select schools nationwide. Students in Years 9 and 10 undergo rigorous training from September to December to compete for places at The Championships. Successful students represent both their school and the nation at one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. The scheme develops not merely technical skill but resilience, responsibility, and professionalism under pressure. In 2024 and beyond, Teddington students have taken part, and the programme has become a source of genuine pride for the school community.

Beyond individual sports, the school competes in Richmond Borough Leagues, the Middlesex Cup, the Football National Cup, and the London Youth Games. Teams perform consistently well in borough competitions, and some progress to regional and national levels. External partnerships with Teddington Hockey Club and the Royal Canoe Club enrich provision, connecting students to community clubs where further pathways exist. The school also offers specialist coaching through external providers, though these operate separately from team selection.

Performing Arts: Large-Scale Productions with Technical Sophistication

The performing arts programme stands as a defining strength. The school operates a dedicated theatre and actively stages large-scale musicals annually, involving 100+ students across acting, singing, dancing, technical roles, and orchestra. This scale is rare in state education.

Recent productions demonstrate professional ambition. In 2024, Little Shop of Horrors drew plaudits from parents for outstanding performance quality and an incredible set design. In 2023, Footloose featured two full casts of over 100 students, with a large orchestra supplemented by specialist technical teams managing lighting, sound, staging, and props. In 2022, Bugsy Malone continued the tradition of investing serious resources into student performance. These are not tokenistic school productions; they are genuine theatrical events requiring months of preparation and involving substantial portions of the student body.

Supporting the annual musical are music showcases, drama performances, and dance recitals. Music ensembles and orchestras feature throughout the year, with performances for local churches and community groups creating regular performance opportunities outside the major production. The school's two dedicated music suites (equipped with Mac computers), multiple practice rooms, and access to instrumental lessons support skill development across the spectrum.

Visual Arts & Design

Four dedicated art rooms provide specialist spaces for GCSE and A-level art students to develop independent creativity. Students engage with techniques, cultural influences, and personal observation to build portfolios. The school's former specialist Visual Arts College designation (2010-2012) reflects historical strength in this area, and the provision remains visible in dedicated studio space and a curriculum that encourages experimentation.

STEM & Innovation

Science Club, run by staff during lunchtimes, attracts 12-15 regular participants from Years 7 and 8. The club conducts hands-on investigations, from building electric motors and spaghetti towers to conducting Prince Rupert's drops demonstrations. Year 10 students support delivery, creating a peer mentoring layer. The school's three science laboratories and ICT suite support practical, project-based learning during formal lessons.

Clubs & Leadership

The school operates a rich menu of extracurricular clubs organised around the Healthy Learners Pillar. Duke of Edinburgh awards are offered, from Bronze through Gold, providing structured personal development. The Teddington Leadership Team, High Flyers Programme, and Student Leadership framework deliberately build maturity and self-advocacy. Philosophy and ethics groups engage students in debates around human rights and diversity, often complemented by visits to Westminster Abbey. Academic enrichment conferences in London for subjects including geography, history, psychology, physical education, and physics provide subject-specific deepening.

Learn Latin is offered as a lunchtime club, reflecting the school's commitment to classical languages and academic breadth. Dance is embedded as both curriculum and enrichment, with performances integrated into the school's cultural calendar. The Student Ambassadors programme formalises peer support and school representation.

The school publishes a dedicated Enrichment page listing clubs under themes including Future Ready (careers), Global Citizens, and Healthy Learners, signalling deliberate framework rather than ad hoc provision.

Teddington is oversubscribed, reflecting both its location in affluent southwest London and its track record. At primary entry (Reception), the school received 1,049 applications for 260 places in recent admissions, a subscription ratio of 4.03. The last distance offered was 3.605 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Transition from primary school is supported through dedicated visits, liaison teachers, and staggered induction. The school works closely with feeder primary schools to ensure smooth progression.

Entry to sixth form is open to both internal GCSE students and external applicants. The school aims to recruit a cohort of approximately 160-180 across Years 12, balancing internal progression with external diversity. A-level subject combinations are offered across 25+ subjects, allowing reasonable flexibility.

The school operates the German exchange programme with Geschwister-Scholl-Schule in Konstanz, running since 1976. This long-standing partnership offers year groups the opportunity for cultural immersion and language development.

The school explicitly prioritises mental health and wellbeing, holding the Mental Health Award and demonstrating what inspectors described as exemplary practice. Dedicated staff work to create safe, joyful learning environments. Low-level behaviour is dealt with promptly, and bullying is not tolerated. All pupils report that staff address concerns quickly.

The pastoral structure is organised around Year groups with designated Year leads and form tutors. House systems are no longer formal, but tutor groups provide continuity and pastoral oversight. SEND support is coordinated through the Kingfisher Centre, with specialist staff managing EHCPs and coordinating in-school and external provision.

Counselling, peer support schemes, and student well-being groups supplement formal pastoral structures. The school's commitment to inclusion means that students with emotional needs, autism spectrum conditions, learning difficulties, and physical disabilities are actively supported within mainstream provision where appropriate.

The school operates on a traditional academic calendar with six-week and half-term breaks. Start and finish times are 8:40am to 3:10pm for main school, with sixth form operating on extended hours with study periods.

Transport is accessible via Teddington Rail Station (5 minutes walk), with bus routes 371, 281, and R68 serving the site directly. Parking is available for those driving, though the location favours public transport and cycling. The school is situated 30 minutes from central London, making it accessible for families across southwest London and Surrey.

No breakfast or after-school care is published on the website. Families should contact the school directly for information about any wraparound provision.

Urban setting with real traffic noise. The school is located alongside a busy road, and this is not a green, leafy campus. Some families prefer rural or semi-rural school settings; this is suburban and bustling, reflecting its urban location.

Sixth form entry is competitive. While internal progression from Year 11 to Year 12 is relatively straightforward, external applicants compete for places. The sixth form targets growth, but subject selection and prior achievement will influence availability.

Limited Oxbridge representation. The school does not currently send students to Oxford or Cambridge in notable numbers. For families whose primary goal is Oxbridge entry, this is a consideration. The school serves a comprehensive cohort effectively, and its strength lies in broad university access rather than elite institution pipelines.

Academy status under trust. Teddington converted to academy status in 2012 and joined the Bourne Education Trust in 2019 following financial difficulties. The trust has provided stability and support, but governance has shifted away from local authority control. Families should be aware that the school operates within a multi-academy trust structure.

Teddington School is a genuine comprehensive delivering strong academic results, inclusive community values, and breadth of opportunity. The GCSE results place it well above typical comprehensive performance, the facilities are modern and well-maintained, and the extracurricular programme is ambitious. The sixth form, while not elite, offers credible progression to university. Best suited to families within the Richmond borough or commuting distance who value inclusive education, strong academics, and a school that actively celebrates diversity. The school is oversubscribed, so distance from the gates is a practical hurdle, but for those who secure places, the experience is solid and supportive.