A leading day and boarding school for girls aged 11‑18 set in 700 acres of the most beautiful Surrey countryside, Woldingham is an inspiring place for students to become confident, compassionate and courageous young women. It’s a place where students learn to ‘write your own story’ through excellent teaching, boundless opportunities and first-rate pastoral care.
Head's Welcome
Woldingham is a vibrant and flourishing school community, with inspirational teaching in a supportive and stretching environment. It’s fantastic to see our well-rounded students’ academic achievements secure places to study a wonderfully diverse range of subjects at top universities in the UK and overseas.
As one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK, Woldingham has been a pioneer of girls’ education since 1842. Facilities are outstanding. Alongside professional-standard drama and music performance and rehearsal spaces, including a 630-seat theatre, Woldingham has light-filled art studios, excellent sport facilities, fantastic science labs and stimulating classrooms. Boarding facilities are first-rate, where younger students share rooms in Years 7 to 9, with single study bedrooms for students in Years 10 and up, including ensuite rooms for Upper Sixth.
With a train station exiting straight into school grounds, Woldingham is a 30-minute journey from central London as well as a short drive from both Gatwick and Heathrow.
A Sacred Heart Catholic school, Woldingham welcomes students from around the world of all faiths and none.
Julia Harrington, Interim Head
Woldingham is a leading boarding and day school for girls aged 11‑18 set in 700 acres of the most beautiful Surrey countryside. Woldingham provides an inspiring place for students to become confident, compassionate and courageous young women. It’s a place where students learn to ‘write your own story’ through excellent teaching, boundless opportunities and first-rate pastoral care.
Despite Woldingham’s rural and peaceful location the school is remarkably easy to get to. London is just 30 minutes away by train and Woldingham is only 30 minutes from Gatwick and 45 minutes from Heathrow airports.
Main House, the stunning 19th century mansion at the centre of the school, sits alongside purpose-built science labs, humanities and language hubs, and studios for art, drama and music. With a professional standard auditorium seating more than 600, it’s no surprise that award-winning actors Emma Corrin and Carey Mulligan both attended Woldingham.
Students achieve outstanding GCSE and A Level results to secure places at leading UK and international universities, opening doors to exciting careers. Students choose from a wide range of academic enrichment opportunities from societies for debating, law and philosophy through to extra qualifications in areas such as maths and sports leadership.
Woldingham has an exceptional co-curricular programme of sport, clubs, performing arts and outreach into the local community enabling students to develop an excellent range of skills, expertise and interests. In spring 2022, Woldingham opened an Outdoor Education & Adventure Centre – a perfect addition to the school’s wonderful 700 acres.
Sport is very important at Woldingham, with excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. Hockey and netball teams compete locally and regionally with first-class training from specialist coaches. The tennis dome means tennis can be played year round, as well as on outside courts in the summer. There is an indoor swimming pool, squash courts, fitness suites, dance studio and newly-refurbished sports hall.
The beauty and peace of Woldingham in the Surrey Hills makes it the perfect place to board, with full, weekly and flexi boarding options. Boarders live with their own year group in comfortable and well-equipped boarding houses, and there is a great sense of community. Enthusiastic and experienced housemistresses understand how to help new girls settle in quickly and make the most of school life. Flexi‑boarding is a great introduction to boarding. Weekly boarding, where students spend their weekends at home, is an increasingly popular option.
Celebrating its 180th anniversary in December 2022, Woldingham is one of the UK’s oldest girls’ schools and is proud to be a pioneer of women’s education. Its supportive and stimulating single-sex environment enables students to become authors of their own life story, growing into independent women who make a positive contribution to the world.
Woldingham is a Sacred Heart Catholic school, warmly welcoming students of all faiths and none.
Boarding, Day School, Flexi-Boarding, Weekly Boarding,
Size
630
Head:
Julia Harrington
Open Days
Visiting in person is the best way to understand what makes Woldingham so special. We hold Open Mornings and Information Mornings, where visitors can tour the school and hear from the Head and other senior staff. We can also arrange individual visits.
In recognition of our important legacy as a Sacred Heart school, Woldingham remains committed to broadening access by offering eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support with the payment of day fees. Woldingham also offers the following scholarships: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, Sport and (16+ only) Science.