SchoolScoresThe Ashcombe School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SOUTH EAST SURREY SCHOOLS EDUCATION TRUST
Ashcombe Road, Dorking, RH4 1LY
01306 886312 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 28 January 2015. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 May 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
322 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Surrey comparisons use the 32 of its 63 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 31 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 7th highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 89% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 6th highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 92% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 11th highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 87% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 94 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 30 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 95% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 253 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 98% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 80% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 7th highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Surrey figures pool parents at the Surrey schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
236 pupils in this year group.
68% — 13 points above the Surrey average, and 22 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 68% | 55% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 57.1 | 50.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.4 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
236 pupils in this year group.
98% — 4 points above the Surrey average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 54% | 29% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 23% | 32% | 13% |
| Further education college | 16% | 26% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 98% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
139 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 24% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 56% | 59% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 34.8 | 37.2 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 402 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 47 | 4% | 11% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 37 | 22% | 46% | 40% |
| History | 36 | 0% | 11% | 23% |
| Economics | 34 | 6% | 29% | 26% |
| Business Studies:Single | 32 | 0% | 9% | 16% |
| Biology | 31 | 6% | 19% | 27% |
| Physics | 26 | 8% | 27% | 31% |
| Sociology | 26 | 15% | 27% | 20% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 25 | 0% | 16% | 14% |
| Geography | 17 | 0% | 47% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 12 | 8% | 25% | 30% |
| Classical Civilisation | 11 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | 0% | 10% | 17% |
| Government and Politics | 9 | 0% | 11% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 38% | 38% | 38% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 13% | 88% | 59% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 0% | 29% | 26% |
| English Literature | 6 | 0% | 33% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Religious Studies, Computer Studies / Computing, German, Drama and Theatre Studies, Design and Technology (Product Design), French, Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
118 students in this year group.
88% — 6 points above the Surrey average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 31% | 32% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 88% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
116 students in this year group.
72% — 7 points above the Surrey average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 72% | 65% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 34% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 72% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Surrey. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 223 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 268 |
| Of those, offered a place | 215 (80%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 644 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 42nd highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 15.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 48th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 17th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5% | 13.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 49th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 12.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 27th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 7.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 24th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 18.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9 | 14.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 5.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.15% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 31st highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 6th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 39th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 35% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 14.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Priory CofE School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- RGS Surrey Hills 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 13% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Ashcombe School's Ofsted rating?
The Ashcombe School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 January 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 May 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Ashcombe School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 22 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Ashcombe School?
94% of the 322 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Ashcombe School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Ashcombe School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 268 families put The Ashcombe School as their first choice for 223 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 215 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 143901.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.