The Matthew Arnold School
Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1PF · Surrey · secondary school
Check the area around this school
40th 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 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.7/10 among them, against 4.7/10 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 | 46.3 · 54 | 30% | 1.61 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.8 · 64 | 10% | 0.64 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Matthew Arnold School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2024-03. In 2024/25, 46.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.9 out of 10 among them, against 4.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Blood Brothers Workshop, West End drama trips, and Strodes College Art trips. Trips include the Eden Project, a Madrid Football Tour, a Ski Trip to Italy, and a Year 7 London Zoo trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 947 pupils against a stated capacity of 980. 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 support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about The Matthew Arnold School
Overview
The Matthew Arnold School continues to be a good school, characterised by aspirational pupils and staff who value the improvements introduced by the new leadership. The report highlights a "broad and balanced curriculum" and a culture where pupils feel safe, supported, and respectful of difference. While significant progress has been made in behaviour and attendance, the inspection identifies specific areas within curriculum planning and teaching practice that require further refinement.
Strengths
- Pupils learn in "calm and focused classrooms" with "warm and friendly relationships" with staff, fostering an inclusive environment where bullying is not tolerated.
- The curriculum is described as "ambitious and interesting," with careful attention given to texts and vocabulary to develop literacy and confidence across subjects.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and effectively check learning, while pupils with SEND receive tailored support using technology and close guidance.
- Attendance and behaviour are improving due to high expectations, with "low-level disruption" being very rare and pupils treated with consistency.
- Governors and trustees "robustly challenge leaders," and staff are highly positive about the new leadership’s vision and rapid improvements.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must continue developing the curriculum to ensure detailed knowledge is "precisely identified and fully sequenced" in all subjects, particularly following recent revisions.
- Leaders should provide training to help teachers select lesson activities that "align precisely to the intended curriculum," ensuring pupils learn as much as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.2 |
| 2024/25 | 49.0 |
| 2025/26 | 48.8 |
| 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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