School guides 8 min read Updated June 2026

Understanding school choices in Surrey

How families explore primary and secondary schools across Surrey using official data, catchment information and community insights.

What families look at first

Many families searching for the best schools in Surrey begin with official information: Ofsted ratings, Department for Education performance data and admissions criteria. Fammove brings this together so you can understand each school on its own terms rather than relying on a ranking.

Reading the official data

For secondary schools, Progress 8 shows how much progress pupils make, while Attainment 8 reflects results. For primaries, look at the proportion meeting the expected standard. These measures describe outcomes — they do not tell you which school is right for your child.

Comparing options side by side

Shortlist a handful of schools, then use the compare tool to view Ofsted, results and age ranges next to each other. Visiting on a normal school day and reading anonymised community insights helps you understand day-to-day life beyond the data.

Frequently asked questions

Are Ofsted ratings important when choosing a school in Surrey?

Ofsted ratings are a useful starting point, but they can be several years out of date and summarise a whole school in one word. Read the full report and combine it with results data and a visit.

How do catchment areas work in Surrey?

Catchment areas and oversubscription criteria vary by school and are set by the admissions authority. Always check each school's published criteria, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.