St Bede's School: Ecumenical Excellence in Surrey

Britain's first jointly Anglican and Roman Catholic state school has been setting its own path since 1976. St Bede's stands as the only educational establishment formally recognised as a local ecumenical project by Churches Together in England, where Anglicans, Catholics and Free Churches are bound together in formal partnership to provide a common Christian education. This unique heritage has not come at the expense of academic performance. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2023, the school delivers results that place it in the top 14% of secondaries in England for GCSE outcomes. With a Progress 8 score of +0.72, students here make substantially above-average progress from their starting points.

The school occupies a Carlton Road site in Redhill that has evolved significantly since the original Bishop Simpson building was constructed in the 1950s. A 2019 expansion and refurbishment project worth £6.4 million added spacious modern classrooms, additional science labs, computer rooms and enhanced music facilities. The campus now accommodates approximately 2,000 students of all abilities, drawn from Reigate, Redhill, Caterham, Horley and surrounding areas.

Mr Adam Powell has led the school since April 2017. Under his leadership, St Bede's retained its Outstanding status in the more rigorous 2023 inspection framework. He describes feeling "extremely proud and privileged to be Headteacher" of the school.

The ecumenical character runs deep. The school benefits from the support of the Arundel and Brighton Catholic Diocese and the Southwark Anglican Diocese. In 1992, the local Free Churches became partners, giving St Bede's its distinctive status. Local Free Churches are represented on the Governing Body. This formal partnership is the only one of its kind among state schools worldwide.

The atmosphere reflects purposeful Christian values without being exclusive. Students conduct themselves impeccably and are polite and welcoming. Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum with clearly identified knowledge that pupils need to learn. Teachers make frequent links back to previous lessons, allowing pupils to confidently apply prior learning to new situations.

GCSE results place St Bede's among the strongest state schools in England. The school ranks 645th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), sitting comfortably in the top 14% of schools. Locally, it holds first position among schools in Redhill.

The Attainment 8 score of 59.4 significantly exceeds the England average. The Progress 8 score of +0.72 is notably strong, compared to the Surrey average of +0.22 and the England average of -0.03. This indicates that students make progress substantially above what would be expected given their starting points.

All students take English language, English literature, maths and RE to GCSE. Approximately 90 pupils per year take the three separate sciences, while others take a double science qualification. The majority also study history, geography and at least one modern foreign language. In total, students take 10, 11 or 12 GCSEs.

At A-level, the picture is solid though less exceptional. The school ranks 1,183rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% of schools in England for sixth form results. Locally, it still holds first position in Redhill. Just under half of A-level entries (45.9%) achieved grades A*-B, close to the England average of 47.2%. At A*/A, 24.5% of entries achieved top grades, slightly below the England average of 23.6%.

The gap between GCSE and A-level performance reflects the comprehensive intake at sixth form, with entry requirements of five GCSEs at grades 9-4. This inclusive approach means strong progress continues even when headline grades sit closer to average.

The 2023 Ofsted inspection found that leaders in subjects across the school have created an ambitious curriculum. Knowledge is carefully sequenced, allowing pupils to reach challenging end points. Teachers have expert subject knowledge and make frequent connections to previous learning.

Pupils make exceptional progress in all year groups and subjects. The curriculum is very well sequenced and teachers explain concepts clearly. This careful structuring allows students to confidently apply prior learning to new situations.

In 2024, 47% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 7% beginning apprenticeships and 33% entering employment. Seven students applied to Oxbridge in the measurement period, with one securing a place at Cambridge.

The proportion of students going on to education or training at 16 is very high. At 18, allowing for attainment, the progression rate remains strong. Almost half of A-level students achieved grades that enabled them to head to their first choice university.

The school does not publish detailed Russell Group statistics on its website. Based on the available data, destinations are rated as excellent by external assessment.

St Bede's is substantially oversubscribed. In recent years, 991 applications were received for 330 places, a ratio of 3:1. With 1.46 first preferences for every first preference offer, competition is fierce.

The Published Admission Number (PAN) remains at 330. Places are divided into foundation and open categories. The Anglican and Catholic blocks each account for 135 places. Free Church places number 50, with 10 Open places. Applications are made through Surrey County Council, with a deadline of 31 October for Year 7 entry.

Applicants for foundation places or as regular worshippers in a non-Christian community must complete the St Bede's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the common application form. The SIF should be submitted before 31 October. Without this form, the school cannot set a priority for the application and it is unlikely that a place would be offered.

Clergy and faith leader references are contacted during November and December for those applying under faith-based criteria. Parents should ensure their named referee is expecting to receive the school's request.

For sixth form entry in September 2026, applications opened in October 2025 and closed on 1 December 2025. Entry requirements are five GCSEs at grades 9-4 or Cambridge National Merit (M2 and above). The sixth form offers a wide range of subjects plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

The Christian ethos shapes pastoral provision. The 2023 inspection confirmed safeguarding as a strength. Students feel secure and supported within the school community.

The formal partnership between Anglican, Catholic and Free Church traditions creates a distinctive pastoral environment. Religious education is compulsory to GCSE for all students, reflecting the school's founding mission to provide common Christian education while welcoming families from all backgrounds.

The 2004 Arts Building, a £4.5 million investment, houses Music, Drama and Art alongside Textiles, Food Technology, Media and Graphics in specialist facilities. The 2019 expansion added six extra practice rooms and a recital room for music.

Music

Orchestras, bands and choirs form part of the extracurricular programme. The enhanced music facilities from the 2019 expansion enable serious instrumental work alongside ensemble performance.

Sport

A high-quality sports hall opened in September 2006, including fitness and dance studios. More than half of the £1.5 million cost was raised by parents and friends through the Building St Bede's appeal, which collected over £800,000. The fitness suite comprises a fully equipped gym and free weights room. Once inducted through PE lessons, students can use the facility at lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm daily. A re-laid grass pitch supports team sports.

Drama & Creative Arts

The Arts Building provides modern, spacious specialist facilities for drama productions and creative work. Drama clubs run alongside the formal curriculum.

STEM

The 2019 expansion delivered three additional science labs and two technology workshops, bringing the school's STEM capacity up to modern standards. Two new computer rooms support digital learning across the curriculum.

School hours follow standard secondary patterns. The school is located at Carlton Road, Redhill, RH1 2LQ. Sixth form open evenings typically take place in October. Year 7 open day information should be checked on the school website, as specific dates vary annually.

Faith-based admissions. The majority of places are allocated through foundation categories requiring active Christian worship and clergy references. Open places number just 10 from 330. Families without church connections face an extremely competitive process for the small open allocation.

Competition for places. With 991 applications for 330 places, the 3:1 oversubscription ratio makes entry uncertain even for those meeting faith criteria. Families should have backup options in place.

A-level performance differs from GCSE. While GCSE outcomes are exceptional, A-level results sit closer to average. The comprehensive sixth form intake produces good progress but less dramatic headline figures. Families seeking the strongest sixth form statistics specifically may wish to explore alternatives.

Ecumenical identity. This is a genuinely Christian school where faith shapes daily life. The partnership between Anglican, Catholic and Free Church traditions creates a distinctive environment. Families comfortable with explicit Christian character will find it enriching; those preferring secular education should look elsewhere.

St Bede's delivers exceptional value-added education within a unique ecumenical framework. The Outstanding Ofsted rating reflects genuine quality in curriculum design, teaching and student progress. GCSE results place it among the strongest comprehensives in England, while the Progress 8 score demonstrates that students of all abilities make substantial gains. The sixth form is solid rather than spectacular, but provides a supportive environment for students continuing at 18.

Best suited to families with active Christian faith who can secure clergy references and live within the school's wide catchment across Reigate, Redhill, Caterham and Horley. The ecumenical identity appeals particularly to those who value the Anglican, Catholic and Free Church partnership. Competition for the limited open places makes entry challenging for families without church connections. For those who secure a place, the combination of strong academics, excellent facilities and genuine community creates a distinctive secondary experience.