Epsom College and Dunottar School are both well-regarded independent schools in Surrey, but their academic results show clear differences in profile and performance. Both schools achieve strong outcomes overall, yet Epsom College generally produces a much higher proportion of the very top examination grades, reflecting a more academically selective intake and a long-established reputation for high academic attainment.
At A level, Epsom College consistently achieves a large number of top grades. Recent results show around 62 percent of grades at A* or A and over 90 percent at A* to B. These results place the school among the stronger performing independent schools in the South East and demonstrate a high level of academic attainment across a wide range of subjects.
https://www.epsomcollege.org.uk
Dunottar School also reports solid A level outcomes, although the proportion of top grades is lower. Recent figures show around 37 percent of grades at A* or A and roughly 72 percent at A* to B, alongside a pass rate of around 99 percent. These results show that pupils perform well academically, but the school’s intake is broader and the distribution of the highest grades is not as concentrated as at Epsom College.
https://www.dunottarschool.com
A similar pattern can be seen at GCSE. Epsom College achieves a very high proportion of grades in the top bands. Recent cohorts have achieved around 87 percent of GCSE grades at 9–7, meaning the majority of results are in the highest category. This level of attainment is significantly above national averages and reflects the school’s strong academic focus.
Dunottar’s GCSE results are strong but show a more balanced distribution across grades. Around half of GCSE results typically fall within the 9–7 range, with almost all pupils achieving a pass grade of 9–4. The school highlights that these results are achieved across a mixed-ability cohort and often emphasises the progress pupils make from their starting points rather than focusing solely on headline grades.
Another difference between the schools lies in their educational philosophy. Epsom College tends to focus on high academic achievement and regularly appears near the top of independent school performance tables. Dunottar, by contrast, often emphasises value-added progress and individual development, highlighting how pupils exceed predicted grades relative to their starting point.
Overall, Epsom College produces stronger headline examination results, particularly in the proportion of top GCSE and A level grades. Dunottar School still achieves very good outcomes and strong university progression, but its results reflect a broader academic intake and a philosophy that focuses on supporting pupils of different abilities to achieve their potential.
Educational Choices 