Gordon’s is a high achieving, oversubscribed, non-selective mixed state boarding school, with day and residential students from 11-18. We have just under 1,000 students from a wide range of backgrounds and celebrate a proud heritage and inspiring community.

Founded in 1885 at the behest of Queen Victoria as the National Memorial to General Gordon, originally as The Gordon Boys’ Home, Gordon’s boasts an unbroken line of sovereign patrons. From its earliest days, the school combined character, service, resilience and purpose — values that continue to inform its ethos today. 

Set in over 50 acres of Surrey countryside, Gordon’s is committed to excellence in academics,  creative arts and sport. The school is ranked in the top five per cent nationally for progress at A Levels, has been judged ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED in the past six inspections, was awarded Boarding School of the Year by the TES (Times Educational Supplement) and recognised as one of the top schools in the country by the Real Schools Guide. Gordon’s is the only school in the country to have been awarded all of the possible ten PTI (formerly Prince’s Teaching Institute) Subject Leadership Marks recognising outstanding teaching. The school recently become an All-Steinway School and now includes a performing arts theatre in its suite of state-of-the-art facilities. In sport, it has partnerships with Harlequins FC and Superleague netball teamLondon Pulse.

As well as excelling in the classrooms, creative arts and sport, students achieve successes in  debating, public speaking and in their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The school offers a tri-service CCF, Model United Nations and the opportunity for students to study for industry-recognised awards with the Institute of Leadership and Management, this translates into an environment where high expectations are matched with supportive leadership, rich professional development opportunities, and the freedom to innovate while sustaining excellence.

The school’s unique heritage is visible through regular drills and eight whole-school parades each year — a tradition dating back to its origins. The Gordon’s Pipes and Drums Band, is a celebrated feature of the school and leads the annual march down Whitehall in London, commemorating General Gordon’s legacy. This blend of tradition and performance contributes to a strong sense of belonging among students and staff alike. 

The OFSTED-rated outstanding pastoral care is demonstrated in the House system of five residential and six day Houses. They provide a ‘home from home’ and a caring and friendly atmosphere. Inter-House competitions are hotly contested with every student contributing in some way, from icing gingerbread houses to tug of war!

Students and staff are encouraged to give back through charitable work and fundraising and Gordon’s is partnered with the Commonwealth Education Trust (CET), working with schools across the globe in sharing their expertise and knowledge.

This atmosphere of shared purpose and community is why many colleagues describe Gordon’s not just as a school, but as a family — a place where teachers make deep, lasting connections and help shape each student’s journey both academically and personally.