Cheam High School Review 2026: Outstanding Behaviour in a Thriving Comprehensive

Sitting in the leafy suburban stretch of Sutton, Cheam High School represents a powerhouse in the local state sector. In a borough known for its highly selective grammar schools, this large co-educational academy offers a compelling alternative: a rigorous comprehensive education that serves the whole community while delivering results that challenge the selective narrative.

The sheer scale of the operation is the first thing that strikes you. With over 2,000 students on roll and a Sixth Form exceeding 500, the school feels like a small university campus. Despite its size, the atmosphere is orderly and purposeful. Mr Peter Naudi, the Headteacher, leads a team that has maintained high standards through significant growth. The school’s popularity is evident in the admissions figures, with demand consistently outstripping places.

For families in Sutton and Cheam, the school often occupies a specific psychological space. It is the first-choice comprehensive for those who want academic rigour without the 11-plus pressure, or indeed for those who sat the test and want a high-performing local alternative.

At drop-off, the Chatsworth Road entrance reveals the diversity of the intake. Unlike the uniform demographics of some local grammars, Cheam High reflects the full texture of modern London. Students stream in wearing the distinct maroon blazers, confident and relaxed. The site itself is a mix of original 1930s architecture and significant modern additions, including a dedicated Sixth Form centre and extensive sports facilities.

The school prides itself on being a comprehensive in the truest sense. It champions the high-flyer aiming for elite universities just as vigorously as the student needing learning support. This dual focus is difficult to maintain in such a large institution, yet the culture manages it well. The ethos is one of high expectations; staff expect students to arrive ready to learn, and the behaviour policy is robust.

There is a distinct "Cheam" identity, fostered through a strong House system that breaks the large cohort down into manageable communities. Competition between houses is fierce, providing a sense of belonging that prevents individual students from feeling lost in the crowd. The facilities support this ambition, particularly in sport, where the on-site leisure centre—dual-use with the community—provides amenities many private schools would envy, including a swimming pool and large sports hall.

In an area renowned for academic excellence, Cheam High holds its own. The 2024 GCSE results paint a picture of a school performing well above the national median. The school ranks 1,252nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 27% of schools in England.

In plain English, performance sits in the "national typical" band, but at the very top end of that bracket. The Average Attainment 8 score of 51.9 is notably higher than the England average of 45.9. Crucially, the Progress 8 score of +0.05 indicates that students make slightly above-average progress from their primary school starting points. Given the mixed-ability intake, this positive value-added score is a key indicator of effective teaching across the ability range.

At A-level, the Sixth Form maintains this consistency. Ranked 1,385th in England and 11th in Sutton, the school sits in the "national typical" tier (top 52%). The A*-B pass rate of 46% shows that nearly half of all grades awarded were at the highest level, a solid foundation for university entry.

The curriculum is designed to keep doors open. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), students follow a broad programme that includes drama, music, art, and design technology alongside core academic subjects. This breadth is a deliberate choice; while some schools narrow the curriculum early, Cheam maintains a commitment to creative and technical subjects.

Teaching is structured and disciplined. Lessons follow clear patterns with learning objectives explicitly stated. Because of the school's size, setting (streaming by ability) is possible in core subjects like mathematics and science from an early stage. This allows the most able to be stretched with material well beyond their year group, while those needing consolidation receive targeted support.

Specialist teaching is the norm across all subjects. You will not find a PE teacher covering A-level History here. The science department is particularly well-resourced, with numerous laboratories allowing for practical experiments to be a regular feature of lessons rather than an occasional treat.

Where Students Go Next

The Sixth Form is a major destination for Year 11 students, with a large majority choosing to stay on. They are joined by external applicants attracted by the breadth of A-level and BTEC options available.

University progression is the norm. In 2024, 56% of leavers progressed directly to university. While the school does not publish a specific Russell Group percentage, a number of students progress to these institutions annually. The Oxbridge programme is small but effective for those it serves; in the most recent cycle, students secured places at Cambridge.

What sets Cheam High apart is the strength of its non-university pathways. With 5% of leavers moving into apprenticeships and 22% into employment, the careers advice is pragmatic. The school has strong links with local employers and promotes higher-level apprenticeships in engineering and finance as vigorously as it promotes degree courses.

Securing a place at Cheam High is a challenge. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent entry cycle (for Year 7), the school received over 1,500 applications for 335 places. This equates to more than four applications for every seat.

Admissions are coordinated by the London Borough of Sutton. The criteria follow a standard hierarchy: looked-after children, students with exceptional medical or social needs, and siblings of current students. Following these, places are allocated based on distance from the school.

Unlike some Sutton schools, Cheam High does not use a selective aptitude test for general entry. It is a comprehensive school. However, families should note that "distance" in Sutton can be a moving target. While the school serves its immediate locality, the popularity means the effective catchment area can shrink in years with high sibling numbers.

In a school of nearly 2,000 students, the danger is anonymity. Cheam High combats this through a pastoral structure centred on the Year Group system. Each year group has a dedicated Year Leader and a team of tutors. This means there is always an adult whose primary responsibility is the wellbeing of that specific cohort.

The "Cheam High Flyer" values system rewards character as much as attainment. Students earn recognition for integrity and effort, which helps to create a culture where doing the right thing is celebrated.

The latest Ofsted inspection in May 2025 rated Behaviour and Attitudes as Outstanding. Inspectors noted the calm and orderly environment where pupils feel safe and supported.

The extracurricular menu benefits from the scale of the staff body. Sport is a major pillar. The on-site leisure facilities mean that swimming is a core part of the PE curriculum, a rarity in state secondary schools. The school fields competitive teams in football, netball, rugby, and athletics.

The Arts are equally visible. The annual school production is a massive undertaking, involving hundreds of students in cast, crew, and orchestra roles. The music department runs several ensembles, including a choir and a jazz band.

For those inclined towards STEM, the Robotics Club and Science Club are popular. The school also runs a successful Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, with large numbers of students completing Bronze and Silver awards.

The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Transport links are excellent; the school is a short walk from Cheam station and is well-served by local buses (213, 151). Uniform is strictly enforced, with the maroon blazer serving as a recognizable symbol of the school in the local community.

The sheer size. With nearly 2,000 students, Cheam High is a busy environment. It suits students who are confident and adaptable. A shy child who needs a quiet corner might find the scale overwhelming initially, though the pastoral care aims to mitigate this.

Mixed ability in a selective borough. Parents should remember that while Cheam High achieves strong results, it is a comprehensive. Top sets move at a pace rivalling grammars, but the classroom environment is more mixed. Your child will be in a true cross-section of society.

Admissions reality. Living in Cheam does not automatically guarantee a place if you are on the boundary and it is a high-sibling year. Always have a backup plan. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Cheam High School proves that you do not need a selection test to deliver a high-quality education. It combines the facilities and curriculum breadth of a large academy with a pastoral system that keeps the individual in focus. Rated Good overall in 2025, with Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and Leadership, it remains a sought-after choice. Best suited to families in the Cheam area who want a rigorous, well-rounded education in a real-world environment. The main challenge is securing a place.