Tolworth Girls' School and Sixth Form Review 2026: A Surbiton Success Story

Ideally positioned just off the A3 in Surbiton, Tolworth Girls' School and Sixth Form (TGS) has undergone a radical physical transformation in recent years. Moving from a collection of dated 1930s blocks to a striking, purpose-built campus in 2019, the school now matches its academic reputation with modern facilities. It serves a diverse catchment of girls aged 11 to 16, before opening its doors to a co-educational intake in the Sixth Form.

The headline story here is progress. With a Progress 8 score of +0.87 in 2024, the school is not just teaching students; it is propelling them significantly further than their peers nationally. This figure places TGS in the top tier of schools in England for value-added performance, suggesting that a student of any ability will likely achieve nearly a grade higher here across all subjects than they would elsewhere.

Sic Luceat Lux (Let your light so shine) runs the school's motto, and the atmosphere reflects a culture of confidence rather than quiet compliance. At drop-off, the site buzzes with energy. The students, in their distinctive maroon blazers, move through the new building's wide, light-filled corridors with a sense of ownership. The 2019 rebuild has eliminated the cramped feel of the old site, replacing it with a campus designed for passive supervision and calm transitions.

Mrs Jolande Botha-Smith has led the school as Headteacher since 2023, having previously served within the senior leadership team. Her tenure has prioritised maintaining the "Outstanding" judgement secured in 2017 and reaffirmed in 2023, while navigating the expansion of the student roll. The school is large, with nearly 1,500 students, yet it retains a community feel through a strong pastoral structure.

The ethos is inclusive but ambitious, summarised by the "ABC" values: Aim High, Be Brave, Create Positivity. There is a palpable focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), championed by the "TGS Academy" programmes which encourage girls to pursue traditionally male-dominated fields. This is not a "hothouse" grammar school environment, but the expectations are unmistakably high.

The academic picture at Tolworth is one of exceptional performance at GCSE, contrasting with a more mixed picture at A-level.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the school's GCSE results were commanding. Ranked 627th in England and 1st in Surbiton for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits comfortably in the top 15% of schools in England (top 25% of schools in England).

The data reveals deep strengths. The Progress 8 score of +0.87 is the standout metric, indicating exceptional value-added. The average Attainment 8 score of 58.8 is well above the England average of 45.9. 40% of grades were 9-7 (A*-A equivalent), compared to typical England averages.

A-Level Performance

The Sixth Form story is different. Ranked 1,656th in England and 2nd in Surbiton for A-level outcomes, performance sits in the bottom 40% (lower 40% of schools in England). In 2024, 42% of grades were A*-B, which is below the England average of 47.2%. While the school excels at pushing students through GCSEs, the transition to A-level appears to bring a levelling off in top-tier attainment compared to the relentless progress seen in the lower school.

The curriculum is broad and strictly structured. At Key Stage 3, students cover the full National Curriculum with additional emphasis on literacy and numeracy. The teaching style is direct and energetic, often relying on the "TGS Learner" framework which encourages resilience and resourcefulness.

Science teaching is a particular strength, supported by the new building's high-specification laboratories. The school holds the Platinum Science Mark, a rarity that underscores the quality of provision. Lessons are purposeful. Low-level disruption is rare, allowing teachers to cover content at pace.

In the Sixth Form, the co-educational dynamic shifts the classroom culture slightly. Class sizes are smaller, typically 15-20, allowing for seminar-style learning in humanities and English.

The majority of Year 11 students stay on for the Sixth Form, joined by a significant intake of boys and external girls from other local schools.

For Year 13 leavers, university remains the dominant pathway. In 2024, 62% of leavers progressed to university. The school has a functional Oxbridge pathway, with one student securing a place in the most recent cohort. However, the range of destinations is wide, reflecting the comprehensive intake.

Notable is the 22% of students moving directly into employment and 3% into apprenticeships, suggesting the school supports vocational pathways effectively alongside the traditional academic route. Students have recently secured degree apprenticeships with major firms in London, a pathway the careers department promotes actively.

Admission to Tolworth Girls' School is highly competitive. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 716 applications for just 254 places, resulting in a ratio of 2.8 applicants for every seat.

Year 7 Entry

Applications are handled via the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames coordinated admissions scheme. The primary criterion for allocation, after looked-after children and siblings, is proximity to the school. The catchment area shrinks annually; families living more than a mile or two away often find themselves on the waiting list. The last distance offered is not published as a fixed figure, but local families know the radius is tight. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Sixth Form Entry

The Sixth Form is co-educational. Entry requires specific GCSE grades, typically a minimum of five grades at 9-4, with higher requirements (often grade 6 or 7) for specific A-level subjects. External applicants are welcomed, and the mix of boys and girls creates a different social dynamic to the main school.

Pastoral care is organised horizontally by year group. Each year has a dedicated Head of Year and a non-teaching Pastoral Support Officer, ensuring that someone is always available to deal with issues during lesson time. This structure is effective in a large school, preventing students from feeling lost in the system.

The House system, with Houses named after gemstones (Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, Topaz), provides a vertical sense of belonging. The "TGS values" permeate the behaviour policy. Rewards are frequent, but sanctions are clear. The school takes a robust stance on uniform and attendance. Wellbeing support includes on-site counselling and mentoring, critical for navigating the pressures of social media and exam stress which girls' schools often face acutely.

The extracurricular offer is extensive, particularly in sports and the arts. The new campus includes a large sports hall, dance studios, and floodlit all-weather pitches.

Sport

Netball, football, and athletics are major pillars. The school competes locally and regionally, with the girls' football teams enjoying particular success in Surrey competitions. The "This Girl Can" campaign is actively embraced here, encouraging participation regardless of ability.

Arts & Performance

Music and Drama are central to school life. The annual school production is a large-scale event involving over 100 students, often staged in the professional-standard main hall. There are multiple choirs, a wind band, and a ukulele club.

Clubs & Societies

The list of clubs is refreshing. Beyond the standard fare, students can join the STEM Club, Debating Society, or the increasingly popular Eco-Committee, which drives the school's sustainability initiatives. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, with high participation rates.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is funded by the government. Parents are generally expected to cover the costs of uniforms, sports kits, and optional school trips.

Financial support is available for eligible families through the Pupil Premium grant, which can assist with the cost of school meals and trips. Families should check their eligibility with the local authority.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. The location on the A3 means road transport is easy, though traffic can be heavy. Many students travel by bus, with excellent links to Surbiton, Kingston, and Epsom. The nearest train station is Tolworth (a 15-minute walk), providing links to London Waterloo.

There is no on-site breakfast club or after-school care in the primary sense, but the library (The Learning Resource Centre) remains open for independent study before and after school.

The A-Level Delta. Parents should note the contrast between GCSE and A-level performance. While the school adds immense value up to age 16, the Sixth Form outcomes are statistically below the England average for top grades. High-flying academic students may need to be self-driven to achieve A*s at A-level.

Oversubscription Reality. With nearly three applicants for every place, securing a spot is difficult. Living in Tolworth or Surbiton is almost essential. Families outside the immediate postcode area should have a realistic backup plan.

Size and Scale. This is a large school. While the pastoral care is strong, the sheer number of students (nearly 1,500) means it suits girls who are reasonably robust and confident. Those who are very shy or need a very small environment might find the scale overwhelming initially.

Tolworth Girls' School is a standout state comprehensive that delivers exceptional progress for girls aged 11-16. The combination of "Outstanding" teaching, a modern campus, and a culture of ambition makes it a premier choice in Kingston. It is best suited to local families seeking a high-energy, aspirational environment where their daughter will be pushed to exceed her statistical potential at GCSE. The main challenge is securing a place.