SchoolScoresThe Matthew Arnold School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of BOURNE EDUCATION TRUST
Kingston Road, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1PF
01784 457275 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 June 2018.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 7 February 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
119 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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 Joint 19th highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 89% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 23rd highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 52% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 92% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 21st highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 87% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 43 parents whose child had been bullied 27th highest of 30 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 102 parents who had raised a concern 25th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 80% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 35 parents of children with SEND 11th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 39% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 67% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 21st highest of 32 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Surrey. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 12%). 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
180 pupils in this year group.
47% — 8 points below the Surrey average, and 1 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 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. | 49 | 50.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
158 pupils in this year group.
86% — 8 points below the Surrey average, and 6 points below 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. | 86% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 7% | 29% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 32% | 13% |
| Further education college | 69% | 26% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 86% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 192 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 246 |
| Of those, offered a place | 174 (71%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 611 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.5 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.3
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 16th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 15.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 26th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3% | 13.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 21st highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 12.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 12th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 86% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 7.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 18.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 27th lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 59% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 14.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 41st lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 5.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.83% | 0.15% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 25th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 15th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 97% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 32.5% | 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
- Thomas Knyvett College 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 5 needs attention · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- St James Senior Boys' School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 24% A*/A at A level
- The Magna Carta School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- T A S I S 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Bishop Wand CofE School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir William Perkins's School 2.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 63% A*/A at A level
- Sunbury Manor School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Thamesmead School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Matthew Arnold School's Ofsted rating?
The Matthew Arnold School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 June 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 7 February 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Matthew Arnold School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 1 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Matthew Arnold School?
82% of the 119 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Matthew Arnold School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Matthew Arnold School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 246 families put The Matthew Arnold School as their first choice for 192 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 174 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 138765.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.