King Edward’s Witley, a Bridewell School, was founded in 1553 by King Edward VI as Bridewell Royal Hospital. Originally housed at the Bridewell Palace, which was given under Royal Charter to the City of London, the School moved to Witley in 1867, simultaneously changing its name; it became co-educational again in 1952. The School is an independent boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 11–18. The School has 484 pupils; approximately 70% are day pupils. There are a substantial number of bursaries, currently around 50, available to help girls and boys whose home circumstances make a boarding style of education a particular need.
The School is situated in a 100-acre campus in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Surrey countryside, approximately ten miles south of Guildford, with Heathrow and Gatwick international airports both within a 45-minute drive.
King Edward’s Witley is steeped in history, but combines its traditional strengths with a modern outlook. The School prides itself on its ability to provide a school community that reflects the real world, admitting pupils from a broad range of academic, social, economic and cultural backgrounds – 80% are English native speakers and 40 countries are represented. All children are nurtured to encourage independent thinking and a spirit of respect and understanding for others, resulting in a mature and well-rounded outlook on life and a commitment to upholding the strongest moral values.
King Edward’s takes pride in its academic, socio-economic and cultural diversity. The School ensures that all pupils are congratulated for their effort and dedication to achieving personal success. King Edward’s Sixth Form offers A Levels and BTECs. In 2023, IB pupils achieved an average score 32.3 out of a possible 45; the world average is 32. A Level results – 29.1% A*–A, 59.5% A*–B, 77.2% A*–C.
In 2023, at GCSE, 95.1% of pupils achieved 5 or more grades at 9–4 (A*–C) including English Language and Mathematics. 40.2% of grades were 9–7 (A*–A), 60.5% of grades were 9–6 (A*–B).
The School also runs a one-year Pre Sixth Form course for overseas pupils, representing an opportunity to improve English language skills and trial the A Level subjects on offer, allowing for more Sixth Form choices.
Renowned for its ability to nurture pupils so they excel in their academic studies, King Edward’s Witley also provides a highly motivating and inspiring environment for children to equally thrive in other sporting/creative activities. The School has an excellent reputation for its welcoming community and the provision of high-quality pastoral care.
Years 7 and 8 constitute the Lower School and are accommodated in Queen Mary House with shared communal facilities for boys and girls. From Year 9 upwards, boys and girls live in six modern, purpose-built paired houses where the accommodation and study areas are completely separate but everyone can come together in the shared communal facilities on the ground floor.
Facilities at the School are second to none and include a state-of-the-art Business and Finance Centre, indoor swimming pool, gym, all-weather hockey and tennis playing fields and a central dining hall, which delivers an outstanding standard of catering. The School pioneered paired boarding houses with communal areas, where everyone can come together in their spare time to enjoy games, TV, music and conversation in the common rooms, kitchen, music and television rooms. For the Sixth Form, a lively common room, Sixth Form prefects’ room, study area and careers library provide an environment for independent learning and recreation.
Admission. Children are normally admitted at 11+, 13+ and 16+, but if there is room they may be admitted at other times, and occasionally a child who should clearly be working alongside older children is admitted at 10+. Admission is by pre-testing or by the School’s own entrance examination and interview taken normally in the January prior to entry.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Boarders: Lower School £14,809, Year 9–11 £15,099, Pre-Sixth Form and Sixth Form £15,840, including all boarding and tuition fees.
Day Pupils: Lower School £8,373, Year 9–11 £9,473, Pre-Sixth Form and Sixth Form £9,662 including meals. Individual music tuition in piano, organ, singing and all orchestral instruments is available.
Flexible boarding option £78 per night for 1-3 nights a week.
Fees include VAT.
Bursaries. Bursaries are available for both boarding and day pupils. The School has an endowment providing support for children whose circumstances make boarding a particular need. Awards are reviewed annually with regard to parental circumstances and to school fees. They may be given in conjunction with Local Education Authority grants or help from a charitable trust. The School has a dedicated Bursaries Officer who works with applicants to source the financial support needed to enable worthy candidates to join the School.
Scholarships. Academic, Art, Drama, DT, Music and Sports Scholarships are offered at 11+, 13+ or 16+ for entry to the Sixth Form. These awards will be up to a maximum of 10% of full fees but may be augmented in case of financial need. Children of serving members of the armed forces will be considered for a discount.
Charitable status. King Edward’s Witley is a Registered Charity, number 311997. The Foundation exists to provide boarding education for families whose circumstances make boarding a particular need, though the excellent facilities and the high standards of academic achievement and pastoral care make it attractive also to any family looking for a modern and distinctive education.
Governors & Staff:
Treasurer and Chairman of Governors: Mrs J Voisin, BA
Head: Mrs Joanna Wright, BA, PGCE
Deputy Head: D Corran
Deputy Head Co-Curriculum: M Harrison
Deputy Head Academic: Mr A Kirk-Burgess, BSc
Academic Staff:
* Head of Department
† Housemaster/mistress
Mr J Abbott, BA (Guitar)
Mr J Andrade, BSc (†QMH, Science)
Mrs S Antill, NatDip (Computer Science)
R Arch, MA, MSc (*Economics & Business Studies)
B Arthey, BA (Guitar)
Dr P Attwell, BSc, PhD (Science, Psychology)
Ms A Brewster, MA (Head of Strings)
Dr C Brockhaus, MA, PhD (Language Assistant)
Mrs H Browning, Dip (EAL)
Ms W Busby (Voice)
Mrs A Butler (Computer Science)
T Campbell, BA (Geography)
Miss E Campbell, MA (*Classics, Mathematics)
Mr CK Chow, BSc (Mathematics)
Ms S Cornwell (Learning Support)
Mr D Corran, MA (Music)
Mr R Clarke (Head of Cricket)
J G Culbert, BSc, Dip Comp Sc (*Physics)
Mrs M Davies (*Careers and Higher Education)
Miss F de Bray (Music)
Mrs H Downham (Strings)
Mr J Downs, MSc, BA hons (Geography, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Politics)
Mrs S Ellison, BA, LRAM (Bassoon)
Ms L Ellis (Sports)
N Emsley, BSc, Dip Com (†Jubilee, Senior Housemaster, Science, Computer Science)
Mr A Eveleigh, BA (Music)
Ms N Fairless, MSc, PhD (Psychology)
Mrs F Fitch, BA (Head of Girls Games)
Mrs E Francis, BA (*History)
T Frazer, BA (Assistant Director of Music)
Mr S French, BA Hons (*English)
Mr A Guthrie (Science Technician)
Ms C Harding, BA, ACRM (Double Bass)
Mrs E Harman, BSc (†Elizabeth, Economics & Business Studies)
Mrs J Harris, BA (*Library & Resources, Extended Essay Coordinator, Head of Brass)
Ms R Harris, PGDip, BMus (Voice)
M Harrison, BA (Director of Co-Curriculum and Leadership, Modern Languages, Sports)
Mr J Haywood, BA (History)
P W Head, BEng, MPhil (*Mathematics)
Mrs K Hillage, BA (English)
Mrs R Hillage, BA (EAL)
Mrs J A Hinton, BSc (Modern Languages)
Ms M Holt (Violin & Piano)
Mrs G Holtham, BA (Modern Languages)
Mrs K Keane, BA (*Learning Support, English, Modern Languages)
Mr A Kirk-Burgess, BSc (Religious Studies, Philosophy and Politics, Science)
Mrs R Johnston, MA (Science)
D Laurence, BA (Economics & Business Studies)
Ms K Leather (Sport)
Dr A Lennard, PhD, BSc (*Computer Science)
Mr S Lightman, BA (*Religious Studies & Philosophy, Critical Thinking)
Mrs M Lovesey (Head of Netball)
Mr B Lumley, BSc (†Grafton, Sport)
Mrs J M Lyttle, BA (†Tudor, English & Drama)
Mrs A MacKenzie (Science Technician)
Ms A Mathias (Piano)
Mr A Mayall, BSc (†Wakefield, EPQ, Music, PSHE)
Ms R McNaught, BA, MA, Dip RAM
Mrs A Meyer, BSc, BEd (Mathematics, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Pre Sixth Coordinator)
P Miller, MSc, BSc, (*Director of Sport)
Dr H Mir, PhD (Mathematics)
Mrs L Moore, BA (Art & Photography)
Mx T Mortimer (Technician – Art & Photography)
Ms M Nash (Piano)
Ms A Ochoa Gomez BA (Language Assistant)
Mrs M O'Keefe, BA (*Modern Languages)
Dr S Pan, DMus (Piano)
Mrs N Plowman BA (*Drama)
Mrs S Quiney, BSc (*Science)
Reverend J Radcliffe, MA (Classics, Religious Studies & Philosophy)
Mrs R Rigby, Mchem (*Chemistry)
Mrs V Rose (Technician Food Science and Textiles)
Mr A Ryman (Head of Football)
Mrs E Ryman, BA (Drama, PSHE)
A Sibacher, BSc (Mathematics)
B Simmonds, BMus, Dip ABRSM, LLB, MPerf (Piano)
Mr Z Siva, BSc (Mathematics, PSHE)
D Slater, BA (English)
S Sliwka, BMus, FRCO, LRSM (*Director of Music)
Mrs E Spieler, BA (Food Science and Textiles)
Mrs E Stear, BA (*Biology)
Ms C Street BSc (Science)
Mrs S Styles, BEng (Science)
Mrs H Thorpe, BA (*Geography)
Miss S Ting, BTh, MA (†Ridley, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Politics)
D Tobias, BA (†Edward, English, Theory of Knowledge and Critical Thinking, PSHE)
Mrs J Todd (Examinations Officer)
Mr F Tontoh (Percussion and Drums)
Ms E Trussler (Artist in Residence)
Mrs C van der Vijer, BA (Language Assistant)
Mr E van Zyl, BA (Design & Technology Resistant Materials)
Mrs A von Kuhlberg, BA (Classics)
Mrs B Waldapfel, HDE (Design & Technology, Food & Textiles, PSHE)
Mr T Webb, BA (*Design & Technology Resistant Materials)
Mrs A Webster, BA (Learning Support and EAL)
Ms J Webster, BMus (Flute)
Mrs C Wickramasinghe De Silva, BA QTS (Learning Support and EAL)
H Wiggin, BMus, Grad Dip, MPerf (Clarinet, Flute & Saxophone)
Mrs A Witheridge (*Art & Photography)
Mr C Wood, BA (Psychology)
Mr M Woodward, BA (Subject coordinator BTEC, Sport)
Mrs J Worrall (Science Technician)