The Ashcombe School
Dorking, RH4 1LY · Surrey · secondary school
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22nd of 57 secondary schools in Surrey we can score, 58 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 551 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.1/10 among them, against 7.9/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 61.4 · 83 | 30% | 2.49 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.27 · 70 | 25% | 1.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 55.2 · 85 | 10% | 0.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Ashcombe School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted (inspected 2024-06). In 2024/25, 67.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.27 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.7 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Tabletop Gaming, Sewing, Creative Writing, Car, British Sign Language, and Photography clubs. Sports include Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Cricket, Tennis, Football, Rugby, Gym, and Dance. Arts and music offer Music Lessons and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Trips go to Berlin, Washington, Sicily, Tanzania, the Rhineland, Battlefields, and an Activity Centre. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,533 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,476. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school manage class sizes when operating over
What Ofsted said about The Ashcombe School
Overview
The Ashcombe School continues to be a good school, where pupils are supported to achieve both academically and personally. Leaders have created a caring community with positive relationships, ensuring pupils feel safe, happy, and proud of their school. The curriculum is ambitious, enabling most pupils to achieve well, while staff benefit from exceptional care regarding their well-being and workload.
Strengths
- Pupils learn an "ambitious curriculum" and achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Relationships are "positive and strong," with pupils being respectful and the school environment described as "calm and orderly."
- Sixth-form students act as "excellent role models" and are "aspirational" due to high teacher expectations.
- Staff feel supported, with leaders taking "exceptional care of staff well-being and workload."
- The personal development programme is "high-quality," helping pupils stay safe and understand diversity.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must systematically check pupils’ understanding to address gaps in learning and misconceptions more effectively.
- The school needs to secure more regular attendance for disadvantaged pupils, whose irregular attendance holds back their progress.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 54.0 |
| 2024/25 | 57.1 |
| 2025/26 | 55.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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