Welcome to a world where academic excellence, character development, and holistic education come together. Surrey is home to some of the most prestigious preparatory schools in the UK, offering children a nurturing environment, broad curriculum, and strong pastoral care.

At the forefront of these institutions is Cottesmore School, an award-winning independent boarding and day prep school that has been preparing children for top public schools for over a century. Nestled on the border of Surrey and Sussex, Cottesmore serves as a beacon of educational excellence for families across Surrey and beyond.

 

Why Choose a Surrey Prep School?

Surrey is renowned for our outstanding education provision, beautiful countryside, and excellent transport links to London and the South East. Choosing a preparatory school here gives your child access to:

  • A strong academic foundation tailored to Common Entrance or scholarship exams.
  • A well-rounded curriculum including sports, drama, music, and art.
  • Exceptional pastoral care and personal development support.
  • Opportunities to board or attend as a day pupil depending on your family’s needs.
  • A gateway to the UK’s top senior schools such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, and Benenden.

 

What Makes Cottesmore One of the Best Prep Schools in Surrey?

Cottesmore School stands out as a top contender when searching for the best prep schools Surrey has to offer. Here’s why:

1. Academic Success and Scholarship Preparation

Cottesmore has a strong track record of academic achievement, with pupils regularly awarded scholarships and places at leading senior schools. The school supports both Common Entrance and scholarship pathways, ensuring every child receives tailored guidance to meet their goals.

Class sizes are small, enabling highly personalised teaching. Whether your child is academically gifted or needs extra support, Cottesmore’s experienced teaching staff nurture every pupil’s potential.

2. Exceptional Pastoral Care

What sets Cottesmore apart is our family-oriented approach and unwavering commitment to pastoral care. Every child is treated as an individual, supported emotionally and socially throughout their journey.

The warm, inclusive environment creates a sense of belonging and community that lasts a lifetime. Boarders thrive in a secure, structured setting that mirrors the comfort of home, while day pupils feel equally integrated into the fabric of school life.

 

3. Enriching Co-Curricular Programme

A key element of any top Surrey prep school is a broad co-curricular offering. At Cottesmore, children are encouraged to explore their passions through:

Four children are on a golf course, each with golf clubs and bags. They appear to be talking or preparing to play. The background features green trees and a bright sky. A yellow flag is visible nearby.

Sport at Cottesmore
A man in a suit walks outside with four children wearing school uniforms, each holding a book. They are smiling and appear to be having a conversation near a brick building and greenery.

Music
Three children in school uniforms walk outside, holding books and smiling. The uniforms include dark sweaters, ties, and shirts. They appear to be enjoying a conversation in a green area with blurred trees in the background.

Drama
A man in a suit walks outside with four children wearing school uniforms, each holding a book. They are smiling and appear to be having a conversation near a brick building and greenery.

Ballet and Jazz Dance
A man in a suit walks outside with four children wearing school uniforms, each holding a book. They are smiling and appear to be having a conversation near a brick building and greenery.

Arts
A group of children gathered around a campfire, smiling as they roast marshmallows on sticks. Embracing the spirit of outdoor pursuits, they enjoy the camping adventure together with chairs visible in the background, soaking in every joyful moment.

Outdoor Pursuits

4. Beautiful Location & Facilities

Situated in 140 acres of stunning countryside, Cottesmore offers space to grow, learn, and play. Children benefit from:

  • State-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories
  • Art and design studios
  • Music practice rooms
  • A modern sports hall and swimming pool
  • Expansive playing fields and woodland trails

Our proximity to Surrey makes it easily accessible for families from Guildford, Dorking, Reigate, Farnham, and beyond.

 

5. Character and Values

Cottesmore places as much emphasis on character education as on academic outcomes. Pupils are taught resilience, kindness, good manners, and responsibility. Values that we believe extend far beyond the classroom.

The school’s motto, “God First, Others Second, Self Last,” underpins our ethos and community spirit. These values are embedded in everyday life and are key to the school’s long-standing success.

 

Boarding & Day Options for Modern Families

Cottesmore understands the needs of modern families. That’s why it offers a flexible boarding programme, from full-time boarding to weekly or occasional stays. This helps ease the transition for younger boarders and provides parents with convenient options.

For day pupils, the extended school day includes access to enrichment clubs, supervised prep, and co-curricular activities. Mirroring the full boarding experience while allowing children to return home each evening.

 

Entry & Admissions

As one of the best prep schools near Surrey, Cottesmore welcomes boys and girls aged 4 to 13. Entry is selective yet inclusive, offering places to children with the potential to flourish in a vibrant, forward-thinking learning environment.

The admissions process typically includes:

  • A visit and tour of the school
  • A meeting with the Headmaster
  • Assessments in Maths, English, and reasoning
  • A taster day or overnight stay (for boarders)

Scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available, making a Cottesmore education more accessible to a wider range of families.

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