RGS Surrey Hills and Notre Dame School Cobham are two independent schools located in Surrey. Both offer education for secondary-school pupils and sixth form students, but they differ in structure, school ethos, academic profile and student experience.

Official school websites
https://www.rgs-surreyhills.org/
https://www.notredame.co.uk/

Admissions and entry

Both schools are independent and selective, requiring assessments and interviews before pupils are offered places.

RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11–18. It offers entry mainly at Year 7, Year 9 and sixth form and considers school reports, interviews and assessments as part of the admissions process.

Notre Dame School is a girls-only independent Catholic day school in Cobham that accepts pupils aged 11–18 for the senior school, with additional entry points including sixth form.

The most obvious structural difference is therefore that RGS Surrey Hills is co-educational while Notre Dame is a girls’ school.

Academic results

Both schools achieve good academic results, although they differ slightly in academic profile.

At Notre Dame School, a strong proportion of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range and many A-level grades are between A* and B.

RGS Surrey Hills has seen improving results in recent years, with a growing proportion of GCSE grades in the higher bands.

Both schools send students to a range of UK universities and emphasise strong academic preparation alongside personal development.

School environment

The atmosphere at the two schools is noticeably different.

RGS Surrey Hills promotes a global and outward-looking culture, with a mix of British and international students and a strong emphasis on leadership, service and global awareness.

Notre Dame School has a Catholic foundation and focuses strongly on values such as compassion, confidence and personal development alongside academic success.

As a girls’ school, Notre Dame often emphasises confidence building and leadership for young women.

Facilities and campus

Both schools are located in attractive parts of Surrey and have spacious campuses.

RGS Surrey Hills is set in countryside near Box Hill and sits in a large area of grounds, offering both day and boarding options.

Notre Dame School is also set in attractive grounds in Cobham and provides facilities for sport, arts and academic study within a traditional independent-school campus environment.

Size and pupil numbers

The schools differ slightly in size.

RGS Surrey Hills is a relatively small school with a few hundred pupils aged 11–18, including both day students and boarders.

Notre Dame School is somewhat larger overall, with pupils across both prep and senior school.

The smaller size of RGS Surrey Hills can create a more intimate school environment, while Notre Dame has a slightly larger community.

Fees

Both schools charge independent school fees.

Notre Dame School charges tuition fees typical of independent day schools in Surrey.

RGS Surrey Hills fees are broadly similar, although boarding places increase the cost for students who live on campus.

Location

Both schools are located in Surrey but in different settings.

RGS Surrey Hills is located near Mickleham and Dorking close to Box Hill in the Surrey Hills countryside.

Notre Dame School is located in Cobham, a well-known Surrey village close to the A3 and within easy reach of Kingston, Esher and Weybridge.

Overall

RGS Surrey Hills and Notre Dame School Cobham are both respected independent schools with strong pastoral care and academic programmes.

RGS Surrey Hills may appeal to families looking for a co-educational school with boarding options and an international outlook.

Notre Dame School may appeal to families seeking a girls-only school with a strong pastoral culture and Catholic heritage.

For many families in Surrey, the choice often comes down to whether they prefer a co-educational environment with boarding options or a girls’ school with a strong pastoral focus and long tradition.