Choosing a senior school is a defining decision, and finding the right balance between ambition and experience can feel overwhelming. Huw Jones, deputy head academic at Claremont Fan Court School in Esher, Surrey, explains how Claremont achieves that balance with confidence – delivering outstanding academic results while bringing out the very best in every child.

The academic offer – personalised and ambitious.

At Claremont, learning is purposeful and ambitious. From the very first step of the admissions process, we know each pupil, shaping pathways that play to their strengths, and explore their potential, while maintaining a rigorous academic foundation. Pupils excel through our broad GCSE and A level options, alongside additional accredited qualifications from Year 9 – such as AQA’s Higher Project Qualification. These are supported by over 100 weekly academic clinics and an inspiring trips programme.

We focus not just on what pupils learn, but how they learn. By embedding learner attributes in our teaching, pupils become confident in the art of learning itself, alongside developments such as our three-year GCSE structure which spreads the curriculum over a longer period, reducing pressure while building mastery and confidence.

Academic outcomes and future pathways – exceeding expectations.

Academic value-added measures how pupils progress compared with the national average, demonstrating the real difference a school can make to each individual child. At Claremont, pupils achieve almost a full grade higher in every GCSE subject than predicted from their starting points. That’s the equivalent of eight to nine grades across all their GCSEs. At A level, over 50% of our 2025 leavers earned A*- A grades, with 100% A*-A across subjects including Further Maths, Spanish, and Religious Studies.

Looking ahead, our student futures team provide pupils one-to-one guidance, inspirational industry talks, additional accredited qualifications, and expert UCAS support allowing pupils to explore their futures with confidence. And our outcomes speak for themselves. In 2025, 92% of our leavers secured their first-choice university offers, with over 60% progressing to Russell Group universities—including Oxbridge—alongside US institutions, apprenticeships, and sports scholarships, showing the real impact of a Claremont education.

A happy school experience – every day.

Claremont combines historic charm with modern, purpose-built facilities, from state-of-the-art science labs to extensive sports amenities, all on one site, so no wasted travel time. Co-education has been central to Claremont for nearly 50 years, giving us unmatched experience in creating a balanced, inclusive community where girls and boys thrive academically, socially and emotionally. With over 150 weekly co-curricular clubs – from fencing to podcasting – every child is warmly encouraged to ‘have a go,’ try new activities, make friends, and discover passions they never knew they had.

Are you ready to take the next step?

The right senior school balances ambition with care and supports families through these critical years. Claremont delivers the perfect balance of academic ambition, outstanding outcomes and a happy, enriching school experience, helping every child reach their limitless potential.

Find out more about Claremont life here:

Claremont life

Back to news

Related news