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Hurtwood House

Dorking, Surrey
1970
Founded
15 - 19
Age range
Co-ed
School type
£22,405 - £25,766
Boarding / term
In short

Hurtwood House is a co-ed boarding and day school in Dorking, Surrey, educating pupils aged 15 - 19 and founded in 1970. Boarding fees are £22,405 - £25,766 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.

Type
Co-ed boarding & day
Boarders from
15 - 19
Ethos
Non-denominational
Guardian required
Yes
About

About Hurtwood House

The story, ethos and character of Hurtwood House.

Setting
Rural
Ethos
Non-denominational
Head
Mr Cosmo Jackson
Hurtwood House — around the school

Hurtwood House is a truly unique school. Founded in 1970 by Richard and Linda Jackson, this exclusive school is still owned and run by the Jackson family over 50 years later. The school is set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, just one hour from London and is the only independent boarding school specialising exclusively in the sixth form.

Described by the Financial Times as 'among the cream of the country's best schools', Hurtwood is known globally for being both wonderfully creative and academically rigorous. Drama, Art, Photography, Music, Dance and Media are quite simply a way of life, but Hurtwood is also reassuringly academic offering a wide range of traditional A Levels such as Mathematics, Science, Psychology, English, Business and Economics.

Indeed, over 60% of all A-Levels taken in the last five years were awarded A* or A.
Hurtwood House — school buildings and grounds

The school combines the best elements of the traditional boarding school system with the best elements of the modern sixth form college to create a wholly unique and individual establishment. Hurtwood is a small and exclusive school with just over 300 students across two years.

Instead of students getting lost in a large impersonal school that stifles creativity, Hurtwood prides itself on the warmth of its relationships and its ability to engage closely with the hopes and aspirations of each individual student. Looking deeper at Hurtwood's strengths alongside its academic achievements, creativity is the heartbeat of the school.

Hurtwood House — campus and groundsHurtwood House — the school groundsHurtwood House — around the schoolHurtwood House — school buildings and groundsHurtwood House — campus and groundsHurtwood House — the school groundsHurtwood House — around the school
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Academics

Academics at Hurtwood House

What pupils study at Hurtwood House — and where it takes them.

330
A-level students
5
Programmes
Yes
SEN / EAL support
Hurtwood House — school buildings and grounds

ranging from traditional academic subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Business, Economics, History and Psychology to creative subjects such as Theatre, Art, Textiles, Photography, Music Technology, Dance and Media. Hurtwood has consistently strong academic results across the board with an average of 60% A*-A over the last 5 years.

Hurtwood has a unique grading and report system. Students are given an effort and an attainment each week. This helps the school monitor their progress and address any issues and helps ensure students reach their maximum potential. All Hurtwood teachers are A Level specialists and class sizes are small to ensure each student receives dedicated individual attention.

Programmes offered

GCSEA levelIB DiplomaEALSixth Form

Subjects offered

Art & Design: Fine ArtArt & Design: PhotographyArt & Design: TextilesBiologyBusiness StudiesChemistryDanceDramaDrama & Theatre StudiesEconomicsEnglishEnglish Literature+ 15 more — ask us

Where our leavers go

Nearly all of our students are now studying at their first choice university. The range of courses are breathtaking from Film Production to Physics, Marketing to Medicine, and Linguistics to Law.

Students have secured places at traditional institutions including UCL, Durham, Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and St Andrews. Our students are also studying at a range of creative and media courses at an array of institutions including University of the Arts London, Royal Welsh Conservatoire, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, London Film Academy, the Courtauld Institute of Art, and Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Hurtwood students are unafraid to venture overseas, and we are delighted that many are on their way to study abroad at institutions including New York Film Academy, IE University Madrid, Savannah College of Art & Design, University of Maastricht, University of California and John Cabot University of Rome.

Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.

Boarding

Boarding at Hurtwood House

Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Hurtwood House.

Boarding houses
Girls 2, Boys 0, Mixed 4
Exeat weekends
No
Guardian required
Yes
Saturday lessons
No
Hurtwood House — boarding house life

House is the only independent boarding school specialising in the Sixth Form. Over 85% of our students are boarders and Hurtwood is a true boarding school rather than a day school with boarding. Hurtwood's boarding houses are English country mansions which have been converted into boarding houses and therefore are beautiful places to live.

There are six boarding houses at Hurtwood House. These are known as Cornhill, Peaslake, Beatrice Webb, Ewhurst, Lodge and Hurtwood House. The Lodge and Hurtwood House are girls only boarding houses. Cornhill, Peaslake, Ewhurst and Beatrice Webb are mixed boarding houses with separate areas for boys and girls.

Pastoral care

A genuine home away from home

Hurtwood House — pupils in their boarding house

As a fully residential school, our first concern is to provide students with a safe, structured, caring and happy community, a home from home. That is why we so much emphasis on our House structure. Students live in one of five country houses or their lodges, some of which are on the campus and some nearby.

Ewhurst Place (Boys and Girls) Coed boarding house in a converted English mansion, 7 minutes from campus. Beatrice Webb House (Boys and Girls) Coed boarding house in a converted English mansion, 5 minutes from campus. The Lodge (Girls) On campus girls only boarding house.

Hurtwood House — boarding house lifeHurtwood House — everyday boarding lifeHurtwood House — pupils in their boarding houseHurtwood House — boarding house lifeHurtwood House — everyday boarding lifeHurtwood House — pupils in their boarding houseHurtwood House — campus and grounds

We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.

Admissions

Hurtwood House admissions

How children join Hurtwood House, and how we make it simple.

01

Tell us about your child

Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.

02

We shortlist & introduce

We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.

03

Assessment, offer & enrolment

We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.

What you'll typically need

  • Recent school reports or transcript
  • Passport copy
  • English-language evidence (if applicable)
  • Completed registration form
  • A reference from the current school
Hurtwood House — the school grounds

We have 170 new students join us every year at Hurtwood. 160 of these in Year 12 and 10 in year 11 for the one year GCSE/ pre sixth programme. Special notes to agents about entry to the school We do not have open days at Hurtwood House because we feel they do not give a true reflection of the school.

Instead interested applicants are invited for an interview with the Headmaster or member of the admissions and a private tour of the campus. Entry to Hurtwood House is different to many other schools and we a high value on the interview. Applicants should only fill out the official application form on the Hurtwood website after they have been for interview and once they have decided that Hurtwood is their first choice.

As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.

Fees

Hurtwood House fees & funding

What Hurtwood House costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.

£22,405 - £25,766
Boarding / term
Yes
Guardian required
Available
Scholarships & bursaries

What termly boarding fees include

  • Tuition
  • Boarding accommodation
  • All meals
  • Pastoral & house care
  • Most academic materials

Funding & scholarships

Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Hurtwood House.

Hurtwood House — specialist facilities

Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Hurtwood House against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.

Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.

Location

Hurtwood House location & travel

Where Hurtwood House is, and how to get there.

Dorking
Location
Rural
Setting
Surrey
Region
Hurtwood House — school facilities

Travel details Address Holmbury St. Mary , Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6NU, England Airport transfer Hurtwood is situated just 30 minutes from London Gatwick Airport and 50 minutes from London Heathrow. As Hurtwood students are older, they organise taxis themselves for these short journeys.

Travel time to London by train Less than 1 hour Telephone +44 (0)1483 279 000 Website https://www. hurtwoodhouse. com/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. London Gatwick 18 32 2. London Heathrow 28 50 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1.

FAQs

Hurtwood House — frequently asked questions

Where is Hurtwood House?
Hurtwood House is located in Dorking, Surrey, England. The full address is Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NU.
How much are Hurtwood House boarding fees?
Boarding fees at Hurtwood House are £22,405 - £25,766 per term, depending on year group. Day places and international packages may differ — contact us for current figures.
What ages does Hurtwood House take?
Hurtwood House educates pupils aged 15 - 19, with boarders from 15 - 19.
Is Hurtwood House co-educational?
Hurtwood House is a co-ed boarding and day school.
When was Hurtwood House founded?
Hurtwood House was founded in 1970.
Does Hurtwood House require a UK guardian?
Yes — international boarders at Hurtwood House must have a UK-based guardian. We can arrange trusted guardianship if needed.
How many pupils study A-levels at Hurtwood House?
Around 330 pupils study A-levels at Hurtwood House.
What qualifications does Hurtwood House offer?
Hurtwood House prepares pupils for GCSE and A-level examinations, with strong EAL support for international students.
Does Hurtwood House support SEN or EAL students?
Yes — Hurtwood House supports a range of learning needs and English as an Additional Language. We can confirm specific provision for your child.
How many boarding houses does Hurtwood House have?
Hurtwood House has boarding houses (Girls 2, Boys 0, Mixed 4).
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Hurtwood House?
No — Hurtwood House does not have compulsory exeat weekends, so boarders can stay at weekends.
Does Hurtwood House have Saturday lessons?
No — Hurtwood House does not run Saturday lessons.
How do I apply to Hurtwood House?
Applications to Hurtwood House run through its admissions team. As your advisors we handle the introduction, paperwork and references for you — at no cost.
Does Hurtwood House accept international students?
Yes — Hurtwood House welcomes international boarders. We guide families through entry assessments, English requirements, guardianship and visas.
How much does Hurtwood House cost?
Boarding fees at Hurtwood House are £22,405 - £25,766 per term. Fees typically rise with year group and exclude extras such as registration deposits, EAL tuition and trips.
What's included in Hurtwood House's fees?
Termly boarding fees usually cover tuition, accommodation and meals. Registration fees, deposits, uniform, EAL support and some activities are charged separately — we'll send you a full breakdown.
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Many UK boarding schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships, plus means-tested bursaries. Ask us and we'll check what Hurtwood House currently offers.
Where exactly is Hurtwood House?
Hurtwood House is in Dorking, Surrey. Address: Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NU.
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