Parent Survey Results
From the Headmaster
At the close of the Autumn Term 2025 we invited all Caterham parents to fill in a survey being carried out on behalf of the school by RSAcademics, a respected education consultancy that have worked with many schools across the independent and maintained sectors. The driver for undertaking regular surveys of this nature is our culture of continuous improvement and an ambition to be excellent across everything we do. These regular external surveys are interspersed with mandatory ISI Inspections for which pupil and parental feedback is the core element. Our last ISI inspection saw Caterham as the first and still the only UK school to gain three Key Areas of Strength.
Benchmarked Results
The purpose of the survey was firstly, and most importantly, to gather feedback on our performance and your experience of the school. Your feedback was benchmarked against surveys conducted in similar UK independent schools so we are able to gauge our performance not just in relation to your feedback, but also against the pattern of feedback in other similar schools. Secondly, we were keen to compare these results to our very strong survey results from 2022 and measure our trajectory and development against that feedback. The questions that were asked were similar (and used across a range of schools) for the purposes of comparison.
Positive Feedback
I am very pleased to say that the feedback from parents was once again very positive and that Caterham consistently exceeded the national benchmark set across 28 leading UK independent schools. It was also incredibly helpful to see the areas identified where the school should look to further enhance our offer.
Parents told us that the most important reasons for choosing Caterham in the first place was our academic standards and results, balanced alongside our ethos and strong focus on pupil wellbeing - a place where young people can be their true selves. They recognised Caterham as a school with high quality teaching, delivered by teachers who inspire and motivate pupils to excel whilst also being caring and supportive. Parents told us that our investment in digital and innovation is important to them and an area we should continue focus on.
Parental Satisfaction
The feedback and parental satisfaction with the school shows that we were significantly above the benchmark for the sector, with almost 83% of parents stating that they were either completely or very satisfied with the school. This figure also represents an increase since our last RSAcademics survey in 2022. Almost all parents (94%) would recommend the school to others, way ahead of the sector benchmark of 66%.
Parental expectations of the school have been met or exceeded for 94% of our parents (the sector benchmark is 86%) and 98% of parents feel both that their child/ren are happy and have good friends at school. 99% of parents rate Caterham’s results in public examinations (A Level and GCSE) as very good or good.
You told us that what we do particularly well is provide a school where staff encouraging, supportive and spend time getting to know each individual pupil. That there is a happy balance of academic focus and pastoral care, challenge and support, which helps to deliver successful, happy and confident pupils. I am delighted that you think we are doing an outstanding job, but I am also realistic in knowing that no organisation is perfect and that we always strive to be better.
With best wishes
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Every three to four years, Caterham School undertakes an indepth survey of all parents to find out what our families think of the experience and education provided by the school. The survey is conducted by an external body, RSAcademics, to ensure frank and full feedback, and is benchmarked against other similar UK independent schools. The survey is carried out in line with Caterham’s approach of working in partnership with parents and pupils and feeds directly into future planning for the school.
The RSAcademics parental survey alternates with, and is in addition to, the ISI Inspection questionnaire which both parents and pupils are asked to take part in. Our last ISI Inspection saw Caterham as the first and only UK school to be awarded three Key Areas of Strength in an inspection.
The result of the survey are invaluable in helping the school decide where to focus as it continues to develop its educational, wellbeing and pastoral and co-curricular provision and overall experience of our pupils and families.
Our latest survey took place at the close of the Autumn Term 2025.
Parents comments about what the school does particularly well portray a school where staff are encouraging,supportive and spend time getting to know each individual pupil. There is a happy balance of academic focus and pastoral care, challenge and support, which helps to deliver successful, happy and confident pupils. The school encourages pupils to get to know each other, helping to develop and strengthen friendships, which further supports happiness and wellbeing.
Pastoral and nuturing environment and still achieves incredible academic results – does not ‘hot house’ the children.
There is a real culture of encouragement, and we’ve seen our children grow in confidence, maturity and independence as a result. The breadth of opportunities – academic, co-curricular and extra curricular – is a major strength.
The school is a place that really works with the kids to achieve the best they can. There is a real focus on the child and their needs.
Parents are extremely positive about many aspects of school life and Caterham exceeds the benchmarks of other senior day and boarding schools.
The strongest feature of the survey response continues to be parents’ ratings of the school’s results in public exams – rated as very good or good by 99% of parents
94% of parents would recommend the school to others & 94% also agreed that their expectations of the school were exceeded (35%) or met (59%)
96% of parents rate the school’s quality of teaching as very good or good.
Ratings of the school leadership are extremely positive, with 94% of parents rating the Headmaster as very good or good. They appreciate the Heads’ visibility and the positive ethos that he drives across the school
94% of parents consider the school’s range of academic subjects provided as good or very good
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91% of parents rated teachers’ ability to insprie their child as very good or good *
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Exceeded benchmark of 28 or more UK Independent Schools
PARENTS’ VOICE
Caring, encouraging, supportive ethos. Inspirational teachers –bring their subjects to life. Teachers who are willing to go above and beyond for the children – give extra help if the children request it.
The wide range of extra-curricular activities gives children valuable opportunities to socialise and to try new things. To me this is what education done well looks like.
Caterham is an excellent school and I am glad my daughter has the opportunity to be there
Supportive and aspirational but not overbearing and pushy
The pastoral care is second to none, while also keeping very high academic standards
The school has a distinctive identity, and the kids feel part of something. They have made many close friends there.
Such caring and involved teachers who really know my children. The staff want what’s best for the pupils and you can feel this.
Excellent provision. It is a joy to see the children happy, learning and thriving
The EDGE offer is a phenomenal achievement (very well done to the whole team). Caterham is a thought leader in this space and deserves praise and profile
Caterham’s approach to Wellbeing is an important reason for choosing the school and parents are impressed at how well supported pupils are at school. They describe a culture where staff get to know each individual pupil and provide a safe and supportive environment for pupils to learn and grow.
There is a welcoming and friendly community among puils and staff, underpinned by an ethos of respect and encouragement for each other. There is praise for how quickly pupils settle in and make good friends, creating a happy learning environment where pupils feel they belong.
l98% of families agree their child is happy at school
100% agree their child feels safe at school
98% agree their child has made a good friend
92% rate as very good or good the way their child is treated as an individual
Parents comment on the wide range of sports and co-curricular activities available to pupils and the benefits that these provide in terms of balance to the academic requirements, offering opportunities to get to know other pupils and supporting pupils’ all-round personal development. There is particular mention of how well the Combined Cadet Force is run.
Parents see one of Caterham’s key strengths as the way it helps pupils to succeed academically whilst balancing this with opportunities to help develop them into well rounded individuals who are independent, confident, polite and intellectually curious.
92% rate provision of co-curricular clubs and activities as very good or good l 83% rate provision of sports opportunities as very good or good
89% rate provision of creative and performing arts opportunities as very good or good
l 87% rate provision of musical opportunities as very good or good
84% rate provision of educational and recreational trips as very good or good
Exceeded benchmark of 28 or more UK Independent Schools
Caterham School
Harestone Valley Road
Caterham
Surrey CR3 6YA
01883 343028
enquiries@caterhamschool.co.uk
caterhamschool.co.uk