Caterham School

Not to be confused with Caterham High School.

Caterham School is a private co-educational day and boarding school located in Caterham, Surrey and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.^[1]

Caterham School
Address
Harestone Valley Road Caterham , Surrey , CR3 6YA England
Coordinates	51.2726°N 0.086651°W / 51.2726; -0.086651
Information
Type	Private schools in the United Kingdom Private day and boarding school (UK) Private school
Motto	Latin: veritas sine timore (Truth without Fear)
Religious affiliation(s)	Protestant (United Reformed Church)
Established	1811; 214 years ago (1811)
Founder	John Townsend
Headmaster	Ceri Jones
Staff	~200
Gender	Co-educational (3-18)
Age	3 to 18
Enrolment	~1100
Houses	9 (3 boarding)
Colour(s)	Black & Yellow
Alumni	Old Caterhamians
Website	www.caterhamschool.co.uk

History

Main entrance of the School

Caterham School was founded as the Congregational School in 1811 in Lewisham, by John Townsend to provide a boarding education for the sons of Congregational Ministers.^[2] The abolitionist politician and philanthropist William Wilberforce was a governor of the school from its foundation until his death in 1833.^[3]

By 1884, the school had outgrown its premises, and the 114 boys along with their teaching staff moved to the present site in the North Downs in Surrey. In 1890, Caterham School opened its doors to the sons of laymen and to day boys. In 1995, after 184 years as a boys' day and boarding school, it merged with Eothen School for girls (founded by the Misses Pye in 1892) to become a co-educational school. Girls had been admitted to the sixth form education since 1981, but the merger integrated the schools and enabled co-education to be offered to pupils aged 3 years and upward. Upon merger, the school adopted the motto of Eothen School^[4] - prior to this merger, the motto was "Omnia Vinces Perseverando" ("Thou shalt overcome everything through perseverance").^[5]

Scholarships and bursaries

The school may award a scholarship if the applicant performs exceptionally well on the entrance exam tests. The scholarships can be for academics, art, design, innovation, music, sport, performing arts, or all-rounder. The academic scholarships are up to 30% off the school fees.^[6] The school also has a bursaries scheme for children of United Reformed Church ministers, for families in the armed forces or those on a low income.^[7]

Academics

Caterham School's GCSE academic results of 2024 saw 85% of pupils achieving an 7/9 grade. The school's 2024 A-Level academic results saw 71% of pupils gaining an A*/A grade and 92% of pupils achieving an A*/B.

Here are the latest academic results:

A-Level Results (2024)

• 70% A*/A

GCSE Results (2024

• 85% 9-7

Note: An English A is 80% and an English 7 is 70%.

General information

A new science block called the Davey Building was completed in 2006. It contains fifteen laboratories: five physics, five chemistry and five biology. In 2008 the North Wing was rebuilt to create a new sixth form centre and to provide a new location for the on-site health centre. The school has a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. In 2015 a performing arts centre was built, with music and dance facilities. It also has a black box theatre and an end on theatre.

Caterham School is involved in sport. The school has coaches in the priority sports of rugby, hockey, and cricket for boys, and lacrosse and netball for girls.

The preparatory school has 280 pupils and the senior school (11 years to 18 years) has 950 pupils of which circa 200 board.

The current Headmaster is Ceri Jones, appointed in 2015.

Notable alumni

See also: Category:People educated at Caterham School

• James Benning (born 1983), cricketer
• Ali Brown (born 1970), cricketer
• Sir John Butterfill (born 1941), politician
• Ann Conolly (1917-2010), botanist
• Angus Deayton (born 1956), actor and television presenter
• Cuthbert Dukes (1890–1977), pathologist and author
• Sir Paul Dukes (1889–1967), journalist and MI6 officer
• Jon Finch (1941–2012), film and television actor (1970–2005)
• Jon Gilbert (born 1972), writer, bibliographer of Ian Fleming
• Roger Griffin (1935-2021), astronomer
• Chukwudi Iwuji (born 1975), actor
• Walter Monckton Keesey, O.B.E (1887–1970), architect and artist
• Harry McInley (born 1993), cricketer
• W. David McIntyre, O.B.E (1932 - 2022), New Zealand historian and professor emeritus, University of Canterbury
• Sir Alex Harley, Master Gunner, St. James's Park, 2001–2008
• Philip Henman (1899–1986), chairman, General Lighterage Company, 1939–1969
• Imogen Holst (1907-1984), composer, and daughter of Gustav Holst
• Sir Arthur James (1916–1976), Judge of the Court of Appeal
• Edward Jones, football manager who coached Egypt
• Harold Marks (1914–2005), educator
• Denis Mitchell (1911–1990), television and radio producer
• John Morgan (1876–1955), barrister and professor of constitutional law, University College London, 1915–1941
• Clement Price Thomas (1893–1973), pioneering surgeon
• Pam Royds (1924-2016), publisher and children's book editor^[8]
• David Sales (born 1977), cricketer
• Eric Thiman (1900-1975), composer, conductor and organist
• Claudia Williams (born 1933), artist^[9][10]