Richard Challoner School Review 2026: An Outstanding Catholic Community

Quantum Potes Tantum Aude (Dare to do your best), runs the school's motto, and this ambition permeates every aspect of life at Richard Challoner. Situated in New Malden, this Catholic comprehensive for boys has established a reputation that rivals many selective schools in the borough. With an Ofsted Outstanding rating from November 2021 and GCSE results placing it in the top 13% of schools in England, it offers a rigorous education grounded in strong values.

The school serves approximately 1,000 students, including a co-educational Sixth Form run in federation with The Holy Cross School. The campus is a blend of 1950s architecture and modern additions, including a purpose-built sports hall and sixth form centre. It feels purposeful rather than grand; resources are directed into teaching and pastoral support rather than aesthetic flourishes.

Mr Sean Maher has led the school since 2015. His leadership is characterised by a deep commitment to the Catholic ethos and a belief that boys thrive on clear boundaries and high expectations. The atmosphere is disciplined but warm, with a palpable sense of community that extends beyond the school gates.

At drop-off, the gates reveal a student body that is smart and organised. Blazers are worn correctly, and movement around the site is calm. This is a school where traditional standards of courtesy are expected and modelled by staff. The Catholic character is genuine and pervasive; prayer begins the day, and the Chapel is a focal point, not a relic.

The school operates a strong House system—Fisher, More, Becket, Southwell, Kolbe, and Romero—which fosters healthy competition and a sense of belonging. House points are traded like currency, and the annual House Music competition is a highlight of the calendar, involving hundreds of boys in performances that range from classical to rock.

While academic rigour is central, the school works hard to avoid being an exam factory. There is a recognition that boys need space to expend energy and express creativity. The Artsmark Platinum award evidences a commitment to cultural education that many state schools have been forced to cut. Music and drama are not just subjects here; they are pillars of the school's identity.

In 2024, the school's academic performance confirmed its status as a high-performing state school. GCSE results were particularly impressive, with strong attainment across the core subjects.

Ranked 588th in England and 1st in New Malden for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the "national strong" band, outperforming 87% of schools in England. This local ranking is significant in a competitive borough like Kingston. The Progress 8 score of +0.84 is exceptional, indicating that students achieve nearly a whole grade higher per subject than peers of similar ability nationally.

Attainment is high, with an Attainment 8 score of 58.8 (England average: 45.9). Crucially for a comprehensive intake, 42% of pupils achieved strong passes (Grade 5+) in the rigorous EBacc suite of subjects, reflecting an ambitious curriculum design.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, resisting the trend to narrow choices too early. At Key Stage 3, boys study a full range of subjects including separate sciences, languages, and the arts. Teaching is structured and explicit, a style that the school finds works particularly well for boys. Lessons often feature "retrieval practice" to embed knowledge, and there is a clear focus on literacy across all subjects.

In the classroom, expectations are high. Teachers command the room, and low-level disruption is rare. The school acts as a Teaching School Hub, meaning it is a centre of excellence for teacher training; as a result, staff are consistently updated on the latest pedagogical research.

Support for Special Educational Needs is robust. The learning support department is well-resourced, and teaching assistants are deployed effectively to ensure inclusion. The school's approach is that high-quality teaching is the best intervention, but targeted support is available for those who need it.

The majority of boys stay on for the Sixth Form, joined by girls from local schools and The Holy Cross School. In 2024, 68% of leavers progressed to university, while 16% entered employment and 4% pursued further education or apprenticeships.

The academic rigour is evidenced by the elite university pipeline. In 2024, 18 students submitted applications to Oxford or Cambridge, with one student securing and accepting a place at Cambridge. While the school is not a mass-producer of Oxbridge candidates in the way a super-selective grammar might be, it provides dedicated support for those with the potential to apply.

The collaborative Sixth Form allows for a wider range of A-level subjects than a standalone school could offer. This partnership means students can pursue niche subjects while remaining part of the close-knit Challoner community.

Entry into Year 7 is fiercely competitive. In 2024, the school received 597 applications for 150 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of approximately 4 applications per place.

Admissions criteria prioritise Catholic boys. The oversubscription criteria typically follow this order:

1. Catholic Looked After Children.
2. Catholic boys with a Certificate of Catholic Practice.
3. Other Catholic boys.
4. Other Looked After Children.
5. Boys of other faiths.
6. Any other applicants.

Given the high volume of applications, boys in category 2 (Catholic with Certificate) usually fill the majority of places. Distance is used as a tie-breaker within categories. Parents should note that living near the school is no guarantee of a place without the requisite faith criteria.

Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical offer distances, although the faith-based nature of admissions means distance varies significantly by category.

Pastoral care is a definitive strength, often cited by parents as the primary reason for choosing the school. The "Challoner Cares" initiative encapsulates the school's approach to mental health and wellbeing. There is a full-time school counsellor and a dedicated pastoral support team who are non-teaching staff, meaning they are available throughout the day.

The chaplaincy plays a central role in pastoral support, offering a listening ear regardless of a student's religious commitment. Boys are encouraged to talk about their feelings, challenging the "man up" stereotype. The vertical tutoring system in some aspects of school life helps integrate younger and older boys, creating a supportive brotherhood.

Sport

Sport is central to the school's ethos, channelling energy and teaching discipline. The facilities include a large sports hall, gymnasium, and extensive playing fields. Rugby, football, and cricket are the major sports, with teams competing successfully at borough and county levels. The basketball academy is particularly notable, producing teams that regularly reach national finals.

The Arts

Music is exceptional. The choir tours internationally (recently to Rome and New York), and there are numerous bands and ensembles. The drama department stages high-quality productions, often in collaboration with The Holy Cross School, allowing for mixed casts in senior plays.

STEM: Robotics and Computing

The school runs popular coding and robotics clubs. Teams participate in national competitions, including the First LEGO League. Science clubs offer opportunities for dissection and advanced experiments not covered in the standard curriculum.

Extra-curricular participation is monitored to ensure every boy finds his niche. From the Debating Society to the Eco-Warrior group, the list of clubs is extensive. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, with high uptake.

The school day begins at 8:40am and finishes at 3:10pm. There is no on-site breakfast club run by the school, but the library is open before and after school for private study.

Located in New Malden, the school is well-served by public transport. Malden Manor station is a short walk away, and several bus routes (213, K1) stop nearby. While there is no dedicated school bus service, the connectivity is excellent.

Faith commitment expected. The school's Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Families uncomfortable with daily prayer, regular Masses, and explicit religious teaching should look elsewhere. Priority is given to practicing Catholic families.

Boys-only main school. Co-education is only offered in the Sixth Form. Families must decide whether a single-sex environment is right for their son for the formative years of 11-16.

Oversubscription risks. With nearly four applicants for every place, this is one of the most popular schools in the area. Families need a realistic backup plan, especially if they do not meet the highest priority faith criteria.

Richard Challoner School offers a stellar state education that balances academic high performance with deep pastoral care. It creates young men who are polite, articulate, and community-minded. Best suited to families who value a strong Catholic ethos and want a structured, boys-only environment that achieves grammar-school-level progress without the entrance exam. The main challenge is securing a place.