The Matthew Arnold School, Staines-upon-Thames

In its own words: "The Matthew Arnold School is a vibrant and inclusive community where our motto of Dream Big, Work Hard and Achieve is central to everything we do. We nurture individual growth, celebrate diversity, and challenge every student to thrive and become confident, independent and informed citizens of the future."

From the headteacher's welcome: "People are what makes this school special. From the inquisitive, happy children who grow into confident, articulate young adults during their time here, to our talented, dedicated staff who teach, care for, and guide our students to 'Dream Big, Work Hard and Achieve'. Our philosophy is that education is all about learning to improve as well as developing character."

In 2026, pupils at The Matthew Arnold School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.8 in Surrey and 47 across England.

46% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 54% in Surrey and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 49.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.24: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 42.8, against 49.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 246 families put The Matthew Arnold School as their first choice and 611 named it as one of their preferences, for 192 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 72 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Matthew Arnold School are Thomas Knyvett College (1.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 38.7); The Magna Carta School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.7); The Bishop Wand Church of England School (2.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.7); and Sunbury Manor School (3 miles).

The Matthew Arnold School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

The Matthew Arnold School is one of 31 schools run by Bourne Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.4 in 2024/25.

119 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Matthew Arnold School (as of September 2025): 82% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 54% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (87%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (54%).

Of the 155 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 66% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

The nearest railway station is Staines Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fenton Avenue (opposite), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 211 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Surrey (76), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Matthew Arnold School issued 110 suspensions, 11.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 8 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Matthew Arnold School are Buckland Primary School (0.3 miles), Riverbridge Primary School (0.7 miles), Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School (0.7 miles) and Ashford Park Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.