Rutherford School
School summary
Rutherford School is one of the smallest independent schools a family is likely to encounter, with just 32 pupils on roll in South Croydon. A roll of this size points to small classes and a closely held community, where staff are well placed to know each child individually. Led by Dr Diane Elleman, the school takes pupils from age 11 and is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It is mixed and non-denominational, and does not offer boarding.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Teaching & academics
Entry is available at 11, and the school operates an 11+ admissions route. With so few pupils, teaching can be highly tailored and individual attention is a defining feature rather than an aspiration.
Head · Dr Diane Elleman
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
Schools nearby
Royal Russell School
Croydon, Greater London
Whitgift School
Greater London
Al-Khair School
Croydon, Greater London
Serenity School, Old Palace Croydon
Croydon, London
Supreme Education AP
Croydon, Greater London
Croydon High School
South Croydon, Greater London
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
Rutherford suits families who value intimacy and individual attention over the scale and breadth of a larger school.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Rutherford School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.