Woking High School
A Special Place to Learn
“My sons feel really settled, comfortable and happy at their new school. They have met and made new friends and have felt very welcomed.”
YEAR 7 PARENT
Welcome to Woking High School
We are proud to be a highly successful and popular 11-16 academy serving the needs of our community.
Woking High School provides every student with the opportunity to flourish and succeed in an inspiring, academically challenging and nurturing environment. We offer an exceptional, holistic education, enabling all our students to achieve the very highest standards in all aspects of school life.
We place our students at the heart of everything we do. Through the provision of a stimulating curriculum, the highest quality teaching,
learning and the wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom, we encourage all our students to give their very best and fulfil their true potential. Woking High School is privileged to have an exceptional team of dedicated and professional staff, who are committed to our students’ achievement, attainment and progress. We promote high standards and have the highest expectations of work and behaviour.
We believe that everyone has something special to contribute and we take every opportunity to praise, celebrate and reward the many and varied achievements of our students. The caring and inclusive ethos that Woking High School fosters builds confidence in our students and a ‘family’ feel.
I warmly invite you to visit the school on any day of the school year to experience it for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you.
Core Values Our Mission and
We believe that all young people are entitled to an excellent education which enables them to access the wider world.
Core Values:
PERSONALRESPONSIBILITY
Taking responsibility for our own actions and the way we behave. Accepting the consequences of our actions and moving forward with a positive mindset. Our choices shape our futures, even when life is tough.
EXCELLENCE
Mission Statement:
All students receive an excellent education, which provides them with the knowledge, subject specific skills and core values needed to successfully access the wider world, become independent, informed thinkers, and well-rounded citizens.
Aspiring to be better than we are right now. Achieving excellence through hard work and always giving 100%. Success is a journey; failure is part of learning and should not be feared.
RESILIENCE
Determination never to give up, regardless of setbacks. Focussing on solutions when facing a problem. Looking at struggles and challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
KINDNESS
Being friendly, considerate and generous in all we do. Politeness to others and small acts of kindness make a big difference. No acceptance of unkind behaviours – challenge it, report it, change it. Together.
INCLUSION
Recognising and celebrating diversity. Tolerating, understanding and accepting others regardless of their differences and views. The success of every individual matters.
ENGAGEMENT
Attending school every day to take advantage of every opportunity. Actively participating in learning. Giving back to the school community.
“Thisisalively,welcomingschoolwhere expectationsarehigh.Pupilsliveupto theschool’smottoof‘inspire,challenge, achieve’.Asoneparentrightlysaid: ‘Thisschoolstrivestohelpeverypupil bethebesttheycanbe.’”
Ollie
EXCELLENT STAFF
Ollie feels he received a high-quality education at Woking High School, which helped to lay the foundation for his academic success. “Some of the teachers I had were fantastic and Mr. Sharma, the Maths teacher, was undoubtedly the best teacher I have ever had. He was kind and patient and he understood how to help us all. He loved answering our questions and always encouraged us to achieve more,” Ollie says
UNIVERSITY PLACE
After taking his GCSEs, Ollie went to sixth form college to study for A Levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths. He has now been offered a place at Trinity College Cambridge to study Natural Sciences, which is dependent on him obtaining the A Level grades required.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT
“I would tell new Year 7 students about to start at Woking High that everyone will be just as scared as you are and so you don’t have to feel alone. Also, there is no need to worry about anything during your first few years at the school. It is okay not to get everything right straight away and it is more important for you to figure out who you are.”
Aged 18, attends a sixth form college, where he is studying for his A Levels.
What Next?
Natural Sciences at Cambridge.
James
DEVELOPING INTERESTS
James is grateful for the inspirational start he had to his education at Woking High School, which he sees as building the foundation for his success. “I loved the technical side of theatre to do with lighting and sound and one of my favourite activities was being part of the Technical Assistance Group and working in the technical theatre when the school put on productions. We also had a club at lunchtimes where we worked on computer projects which I enjoyed and inspired my interest in Computer Science and Maths,” he says.
VISITING NAPLES
James settled in well in Year 7 and quickly felt at home and made new friends. He says: ”I enjoyed the clubs and after school activities and liked being a member of the Learning Partnership, an organisation that gave the staff feedback from the students about lessons. My experience of being consulted by the senior leadership team about the quality of education helped set me up for what I do today.”
TAKING OPPORTUNITIES
Since graduating, James has stayed in Liverpool and started his own company which uses data to solve the causes of homelessness. “This saves charities both money and time as having the best data empowers them to do more than just find people a bed for the night,” he says. “I would tell new Year 7s about to start at Woking to get stuck into everything you can. The five years will fly by and will be full of opportunities for you. Woking High is a great school and I wish it continued success.”
Aged 23, lives in Liverpool, where he runs his own company building information systems for charities.
Learning Experience
All our students are inspired by an ambitious, academic learning experience that is broad, deep and supportive.
A broad and relevant curriculum, centred around the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, is at the heart of our provision. It is carefully planned and reviewed regularly to meet changing national expectations and to carefully consider relevant educational research, allowing all students access to a full range of subjects. As a result, every student has the opportunity to excel in a well-structured and supportive learning environment.
Our curriculum encourages success. Each subject is staffed by a highly qualified specialist team of teachers and support staff.
All subjects are well resourced and excellent teaching through the curriculum maximizes student attainment and progress.
We track and monitor student progress closely so that their achievements are recognized and celebrated and provide a platform for their future success. Students are actively encouraged to take responsibility and ownership of their own learning, so that they are fully prepared for transition from secondary school to institutions of higher and further education. We have excellent links with post-16 providers and they frequently praise the qualities of our students as they prepare to take their place in the wider world.
“The school’s curriculum is designed to develop pupils to be confident, responsible and articulate learners. Pupils have a wide choice of academic and vocational subjects to choose from, including some more unusual ones.”
OFSTED 2025
Action Student Learning in
Our students are motivated and empowered, enjoying a calm and focused learning environment where they can be successful.
We are proud of our students’ successes in each curriculum area, ranging from the STEM subjects to the Arts, Humanities and Languages, all of which include a wide variety of physical, cultural, practical, and creative activities. By providing a challenging and stimulating learning experience, we allow our students the scope to develop the knowledge and skills which will prepare them for their future. Students thrive through the nurturing of their thinking skills in lessons that are interactive and imaginative. We have the highest expectations of every student, providing support where necessary for students to meet expectations.
We recognize that all students thrive in an environment where their efforts and achievements are acknowledged and rewarded. The many successes of our students are celebrated within the classroom, in assemblies, through Achievement Points, the wearing of badges symbolising excellence, through the award of School Colours, at our annual Year 11 and Young Achievers’ presentations, and within the wider community.
Learning does not purely happen in the classroom. Our extra-curricular and enrichment activities provide students with exciting opportunities to explore beyond subject curricula and we are proud that Students are actively involved in all aspects of school life.
Peter
GREAT START
Peter is grateful for the good education he had at Woking High School, which he thinks paved the way for him to do well in his A level studies and helped him to decide what he wants to do for a career. “At Woking High, I enjoyed Maths and the Science subjects and I did DT for one of my GCSEs because I found it interesting and good fun. I have already passed my Maths A Level at college, and I am now studying Chemistry, Physics, and Further Maths at A level,” he says.
CAREERS HELP
Peter remembers the staff at Woking High were always very supportive and friendly.
“I enjoyed all my lessons and liked my subject teachers, and I look back on it as a very happy time in my life. We had some sessions focused on careers to help us decide what to do at sixth form college, which were very helpful.
I am planning to study engineering science at university and I have now been offered a place at Oxford dependent on my obtaining the A Level grades required. I would say the teaching I had at Woking High helped me to do well and to make up my mind what career path I am going to follow.”
ADVICE TO NEW YEAR 7 STUDENTS
“I would advise new Year 7 students not to be too worried when they first start at Woking High School and to be prepared to give new things a go. It is a time to embrace whatever’s on offer there. Everyone else will be out of their comfort zone as well and so new starters at Woking High School should try to enjoy the whole experience.”
Aged 18, attends a sixth form college, where he is studying for his A Levels.
What Next?
Engineering Science at Oxford.
Gabriela
CONFIDENCE BUILDING
Gabriela says she has grown in confidence during her years at Woking High School and has enjoyed the extracurricular activities and opportunities to develop new skills. “One of my highlights has been playing the flute in the school orchestra in concerts and on tour. We have played at different locations in Birmingham, and on the Isle of Wight. I liked the way that the orchestra brought like-minded people together and gave us the opportunity to develop friendships and visit different places.”
UNIVERSITY PLANS
Now about to take her GCSEs, Gabriela is studying Further Maths, Latin, French, Music, and History in addition to the core subjects. “After my GCSEs I am planning to go to college to study for A Levels in English, French and Politics and then to go to university to study English, and I am considering applying for Oxford,” she says.
TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY
“Looking back, I am glad I went to Woking High. I have been provided with lots of opportunities and overall, I have had a really great time at the school. My advice to new Year 7 students about to start is to take advantage of all the things you are offered and to try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Embracing the opportunities for extracurricular activities will help you make new friends.”
Aged 16, final year at Woking High.
What Next?
Sixth Form College to study A Levels in English, French and Politics and then university to study English.
Learning Enriching
We are ambitious for all our young people and want them to succeed in every aspect of school life.
We provide an outstanding range of enrichment activities to encourage students to develop the skills needed for adult life. The school provides outstanding sports and music programmes throughout the year. Students perform at exceptional standards in district, regional and national in sports competitions and the school is renowned for its sporting and music excellence.
Local, national and international visits allow all our students to extend their learning outside the school environment. They are encouraged to participate in a range of visits including residentials, outward bound activities, team-building courses to develop friendships and create confidence, exchange visits to European countries and visits to art galleries, museums and sites of historical interest. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is well-established at Woking High School and many students gain Bronze and Silver awards during their time at the school.
A diverse range of clubs and activities are offered to students before school, at lunchtime and after school, including Book Club, Games Club, Public Speaking, Creative Writing and many more. We also welcome theatre groups, authors, inspirational speakers and arrange master classes and visits to universities to further inspire our students.
Well-developed careers education programmes enhance the learning experience and broaden students’ horizons in preparation for next steps.
“My daughter has really enjoyed her time at your school and has blossomed into a well rounded and confident young lady.”
YEAR 11 PARENT
Support and Nurture
We believe that students learn best when they are in a safe, secure and happy environment.
Our staff are highly professional and their commitment underpins the warmth and vibrancy of our community. We make it a priority that everyone is recognized and cared for as an individual. We build on the excellent links we have with our primary school partners and work closely with post-16 providers to ensure our young people are supported at all transition points.
We are confident that students at Woking High School will blossom and flourish as individuals and develop into confident, kind and resilient individuals. Throughout their time at the school, our wellestablished Citizenship and PSHCE programmes ensure that students’ needs are met at each stage of their development and that they are fully prepared to take their place as positive, active, global citizens in our ever-changing world, confident of a successful and rewarding future.
We take immense pride in our pastoral system which provides reassurance, continuity and allows a strong, supportive relationship to develop between our staff, parents/carers and students. As a result, the school is a friendly, well-organized environment that provides excellent opportunities for our students and helps them to learn and enrich their lives as part of the Woking High School ‘family’.
Student Leadership
Our students are keen to contribute to the life of the school and its wider community.
Student inclusion, involvement and leadership are central to the success of students at Woking High School and we encourage all students to take ownership of the school.
There are many opportunities provided for our students to take leadership roles in the school and participation in all aspects of Student Voice is encouraged. Students have the opportunity to be involved as School, Specialist and Subject Council members, as Sports Coaches, Peer Educators, Peer Mentors and in the Head Student Team.
Our students also work closely with the local community. They have a real desire to participate in exciting community developments and undertake a wide range of local, national and international charity work.
We greatly value the close involvement and support of parents/carers in enabling all our students to achieve and be their very best. We build on the positive dialogue we establish with parents/carers during the transition process and forge links with parents in a variety of ways, including our Schoolcomms communication, Twitter, termly newsletters, Information Evenings, events and Consultation Evenings. Frequent, open and honest communication is the key to our successful partnership with parents/carers and in supporting all our students to attain their full potential.
“Studentsareencouragedtodevelop theirleadershipskillsthroughbecoming ‘bullyingambassadors’,‘peermentors’and participatingintheschoolcouncil.”
OFSTED 2025
