Gordon School - West End , Woking

[Anniee1]

Hi!
My son is currently in Year 4, and we’re starting to think about secondary school options. We’re considering moving closer to Gordon's School to try and get into the catchment area.

We’ve heard that the cut-off distance for Year 7 admissions can be really tight—like within 1000 meters—which sounds quite difficult. Do you know how long we need to be living in the area before applying? I understand that we need to apply through the local authority when he’s in Year 6, around September.

Also, if you know anything about the admissions process, how places are allocated, or even what the school is like in general, I’d really appreciate any advice or insights you might have.

Thank You :-)

Where are you thinking of moving to? The catchment is very small. I considered a job there some years ago. I wouldn’t have been happy.

Yes, last year it was 1000 meters :-) Still we did't started looking at houses, but checking before hand, it is worth moving near by arround 1000 metrs near to school

OP - Gordon's splits its oversubscription criteria: LAC, siblings within 1500m sorted by distance, staff children, non siblings within 1500m sorted by distance, siblings outside of 1500m, non siblings outside of 1500m

This is to reduce families getting one child in and moving away. The actual distance may well be less than 1500m. It is certainly very tight.

According to Surrey CC stats, in 2025, no one was admitted in the 1500m+ categories as the furthest distance was 1.246km.

In 2024 it was 1.532km and in 2023 it was very narrow. 0.817km

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/arrangements-and-outcomes/previous-years#a25

Allocations criteria here for 2026 - I know you'll be applying the year after, but there's no reason to believe they will change substantially. Assuming you're looking for a Day place.

https://www.gordons.school/attachments/download.asp?file=1356&type=pdf

They give priority to those living within 1500 m; last year the furthest distance was just over that - looking at the Surrey allocations it seems that only one child was admitted who didn't live within the 1500 meters/was a sibling. This year they only went out to 1.249km.

You would need to apply by October 31 the year before admission and that would need to come from your child's permanent address at that time.

(we looked at moving there but decided against in the end)

And you may be aware, but day boarders pay a fee - perhaps 25% of the full boarding fee, I don't recall.

Thanks for messages. Yes looking for Day place.

Looking at house price and demand is very high.

How about school result? Did kids are happy over there? Is worth moving to near by for kids education.

Thanks

Yes it is comes around 12k for per annum. Making decision is very hard.

I don't think the people answering thus far necessarily have kids there - as I said, we thought about it. You really do have to live very close to be certain of a place and obviously that costs, because parents view its as buying a private education for a lower fee.

Thanks for this data, getting house and with high price makes hard.

Agreed on this .

You also probably need to consider the area as well as the school. West End was a small village and has grown exponentially, but the infrastructure isn’t there. Will you need to commute because the roads towards Guildford and into Chobham and Woking are busy.

We lived in West End for some years, but it’s just too busy now.

We moved house to get into the school in 2018 and now have a son in Y13 about to do A Levels and daughter in Y9 and it was the best decision we have made. Excellent school. However, you have to dedicate yourself to the school. The day starts at 08:00 and from Y8 they stay for double prep ending at 19:30. Saturday sports is a must and parades 6 x a year on a Sunday is a must. Fees are approx £3600 a term. We cannot fault the school.

Not sure if your children are academic but would be interested to know if academic children are challenged well. Also what are the typical class sizes? Do you feel teachers know your child?

Yes they are academic. The class sizes are 25-30 so larger than private. Settled subjects can have 6 sets. Yes they really do know your child and the teachers work very hard.

Thanks for the responses!

Which classes have sets?

Not really what you’re asking, but for anyone else coming on this thread - it’s much easier to get into the sixth form there than at y7. We live about 5 miles away and it would have been straightforward, I think they admit further than that. Chose not to take the place up as the sixth form facilities aren’t nearly as extensive as the other sixth form options in the area, and it would have been a bit strange to suddenly start fitting in with all the parades, military type theme of the school, houses etc when the next step would be complete independence at university. I know some kids who went there for sixth form and love it though.

Both my daughters attended the school and boarded. One stayed for A levels the other didn't. Very strict and parents must be behind the schools values eg detentions, isolation etc. Not for everyone! Children are aware of expectations. Very long school day. Children must attend Saturday school this includes a variety of extra curricular activities and supervised prep after school until 7/7.30. Lots of international boarders and military families, a lovely mix. Do I feel it offers value for money? Probably not in comparison to a good state school as on par with private school fees. Classes are big and children are expected to conform.

My daughter will attend next year and we know lots of families who attend.
Everyone raves about it being a great school. We have a very good feeling when we go there.
Only downside for us is the fees.

We decided against it in the end as saw a FB review re safeguarding concerns for boarding that I could not get past, large classes and given the boarding fees are close to private school fees.

It is a great school if your child loves sport and is keen to access all the extra curricular activities on offer. Food is much improved according to my daughter. Boarding Ofsted is always outstanding. We found the pastoral care within the boarding houses fantastic. I feel the teaching can be hit and miss.