Hurtwood House School

Hurtwood House School is a mixed, non-denominational, 15-19, independent secondary boarding and day school with sixth form, situated in Dorking in Surrey. There are 336 pupils on the school roll, 303 of whom are boarders and 33 of whom are day pupils.

Hurtwood House was founded in 1970 by the father of the present headmaster. There is no governing body as the school is a limited liability partnership; the founding headmaster remains a member of the senior management team. Admission to the school depends upon interview and academic potential, rather than prior attainment. 

Headmaster

Mr Cosmo Jackson

Values and vision

Hurtwood House aims to be ‘the most exciting school in England’. It is driven by a passion for creativity and academic excellence. The school aims to combine the best elements of the traditional boarding school system with the best elements of the modern sixth form college to create what it believes is a wholly unique and individual establishment. While breaking new ground educationally, the school believes it has retained traditional values and has created an inspirational but safe stepping-stone between school and university. 

The secondary school is driven by a passion for creativity and a respect for academic rigour. It is a small independent school with a distinctive voice, which is less formal and less institutional than traditional public schools.

ISI

Hurtwood House School provides its students with a broad curriculum that successfully combines creativity with academic rigour. Students are articulate in speech and writing. The school provides excellent pastoral care and academic guidance while expecting students to meet its high expectations of behaviour and to take considerable personal responsibility. Governance and leadership of the school are good throughout, with many areas of excellence.” 

View Hurtwood House School’s latest ISI report