Gordon's School

Built by public subscription over a century ago at the insistence of Queen Victoria, Gordon’s School is the national monument to General Charles Gordon of Khartoum and is listed as one of Britain’s outstanding schools by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector.

A non-selective, co-educational residential and day boarding school, the School’s academic record outstrips many selective schools. The progress made by students over the past four years has put Gordon’s in the top 1% of all schools in England and Wales at A Levels.

But while Gordon’s School embraces modern ideas, General Gordon’s legacy of traditional values remains. The School’s ethos is that high performance without good character is not true success.

To this end, it’s not just in the classrooms where students excel. Successes are achieved in drama and the arts; debating and public speaking; dance and sport. The School also boasts an enviable record in attaining Duke of Edinburgh awards.

While the individual is celebrated, the whole School unites for parades. Since its inception, students have marched and there has always been a Pipes and Drums band. Dressed in the Gordon tartan the students parade around eight times a year and the school is the only one permitted to march along Whitehall – an annual tradition in remembrance of General Gordon.

Set in over 50 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside within easy access of major airports and roads, the School is home to some 900 students and offers Day and Residential (weekly and termly) Boarding from only £2,883 per term.

Each Student is assigned to one of the ten Houses – four residential boarding and six day - (named after places associated with General Gordon) with a bespoke boarding house for Year 7s. Inter-House competitions involving students in all year groups are fiercely contested.

Spiritual guidance and support is given through chapel services and informal worship. And Houseparents provide a ‘home from home’, lending special atmosphere to each boarding house and ensuring that their free time off is fun with numerous activities. 

There are three main admission points – at 11 years old; 13 years old and for Sixth Form.

Scholarships in sport and creative arts are offered for those coming into the Sixth Form. The scholarships enable those awarded to benefit from a programme to enhance their development and give them wider opportunities to progress in their field. Bursaries are also available.

The real judgement of Gordon’s is the students. All who visit are struck by the friendliness, discipline and vibrancy throughout the school and by the family atmosphere, exemplified by the special rapport between staff and students. This is borne from a community that strives to live with integrity, to be courteous, enthusiastic and diligent, even in adversity.

Gordon’s School is unique. Please book a visit and find out why.