In 2023, Caterham was awarded 'Best Independent School of the Year' in the United Kingdom by the Times Educational Supplement.[2] In the same year, it was the first and only school in the UK to receive three 'Key Areas of Strength' in its latest ISI inspection.[3] It is also an 'Apple Distinguished School'[4].
In August 2025, The Times reported that Caterham achieved the highest percentage of GCSE grade 9s across all co-ed private schools in Surrey and Kent, placing it sixth in the UK.[5]
In September 2025, Caterham was shortlisted for the 2026 'Tatler Schools Guide' as one of the five best public schools in the country.[6]
Campus
Caterham's campus is set on the edge of its estate which extends to around 200 acres, making it one of the largest estates of any school in Surrey.[7]
History
Caterham today is the product of a co-ed merger between the Congregational School (formally renamed 'Caterham' in the mid-1920s) for boys and Eothen School for girls.[8]
The Congregational School ('Caterham')
Caterham School was founded as the Congregational School in 1811 in Lewisham, by John Townsend to provide a boarding education for the sons of Congregational Ministers.[9] The abolitionist politician and philanthropist William Wilberforce was a governor of the school from its foundation until his death in 1833.[10]
By 1884, the school had outgrown its premises, and the 114 boys along with their teaching staff moved to the present site in the North Downs in Surrey. In 1890, Caterham School opened its doors to the sons of laymen and to day boys. Notably, the British historian D.G.E. Hall was Headmaster of Caterham from 1934 until 1949[11].
Eothen
In 1995, after 184years as a boys' day and boarding school, it merged with Eothen School for girls (founded by the Misses Pye in 1892) to become a co-educational school. Girls had been admitted to the sixth form education since 1981, but the merger integrated the schools and enabled co-education to be offered to pupils aged 3years and upward. Upon merger, the school adopted the motto of Eothen School[12] - prior to this merger, the motto was "Omnia Vinces Perseverando" ("Thou shalt overcome everything through perseverance").[13]
Scholarships and bursaries
The school may award a scholarship if the applicant performs exceptionally well on the entrance exam tests. The scholarships can be for academics, art, design, innovation, music, sport, performing arts, or all-rounder. The academic scholarships are up to 30% off the school fees.[14] The school also has a bursaries scheme for children of United Reformed Church ministers, for families in the armed forces or those on a low income.[15]
Academics
Caterham School's GCSE academic results of 2025 saw 92% of pupils achieving an 7/9 grade[16]. The school's 2025 A-Level academic results saw 66% of pupils gaining an A*/A grade and 92% of pupils achieving an A*/B[17].
A new science block called the Davey Building was completed in 2006. It contains fifteen laboratories: five physics, five chemistry and five biology. In 2008 the North Wing was rebuilt to create a new sixth form centre and to provide a new location for the on-site health centre. The school has a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. In 2015 a performing arts centre was built, with music and dance facilities. It also has a black box theatre and an end on theatre.
The current Headmaster is Ceri Jones, appointed in 2015.
History Festival
Since 2023, the Department of History at Caterham organises the annual History Festival in November, held in the Humphreys and Deayton theatres within the Centre of Performing Arts. It is open to the wider educational community, with students from all schools admitted by ticket for free. The event features talks from renowned historians and book signings.
There are 9 school houses at Caterham, 6 mixed for day pupils, 2 for boarding boys and 1 for boarding girls.[22] All are named after notable places associated with the school except for the boys boarding houses, named after two people associated with the school.
House
Type
Aldercombe
Day
Beech Hanger
Boarding (girls)
Harestone
Day
Lewisham
Day
Newington
Day
Ridgefield
Day
Townsend
Boarding (junior boys)
Underwood
Day
Viney
Boarding (senior boys)
Headmasters
Ceri Jones is the fourteenth Headmaster of Caterham (or once called 'The Congregational School').
Notably, the British historian D.G.E. Hall was Headmaster of Caterham from 1934 until 1949.[11]
Caterham aims to run and develop programmes to contribute its resources to the local community. It founded the 'East Surrey Learning Partnership' (ESLP), providing curriculum support to eight local primary schools.[23] It also runs the 'Saturday Plus' programme each weekend which focuses on providing resources to prepare local primary school children for academically selective independent or grammar schools.[24] Sixth Form pupils also volunteer to regularly host Clifton Hill School, a local primary for children with learning difficulties.[25]
Since 2006, Caterham has supported Lerang' wa School in Tanzania.[26]
LAE
In 2012, Caterham along with Eton, Brighton College and five other independent schools supported the founding of the London Academy of Excellence (LAE) in Stratford. One of LAE's school houses was therefore named 'Caterham'. LAE pupils are supported by Caterham's careers and university mentoring and 'CaterhamConnected' network.[27]
CaterhamConnected
The school operates 'CaterhamConnected', its own professional and social media network for alumni, staff, parents and Sixth Form pupils from Caterham and its partnership schools.[28] As well as the digital platform, CaterhamConnected runs 'Insight' events for the community, which take place globally.[29]
The administrative centre is Oxted. The largest town is Caterham. Three of the post towns have urban centres Caterham, Godstone and Oxted. Lingfield and Warlingham are major villages which have post town status. The others are outside the area.
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