St Hilary's School
School summary
Set in Godalming, St Hilary's is a small independent school that has been educating children since 1927. With around 250 pupils across an age range spanning 2 to 11, it offers a close-knit setting where staff know children well, helped by a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly nine to one. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and pupil personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. Around one in six pupils receives SEN support, suggesting a school used to accommodating a range of learning needs.
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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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 20 February 2024
Teaching & academics
The school's excellent ISI judgement points to high standards across its primary and pre-prep years. The favourable staffing ratio allows close attention to individual progress, which matters in a school preparing pupils up to age 11. Academic scholarships are available alongside awards for sport, art and drama, recognising achievement beyond the classroom.
Headteacher · Mr Duncan Sinclair
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships in sport, art and drama signal that creative and physical pursuits sit alongside academic life. The breadth of these awards reflects a school that values rounded development, an emphasis echoed by its excellent rating for personal development.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1927
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 15.66%
- EHC plans
- 2.81%
Mobile phone policy
Children who bring phones to school must check them into the office in the morning and collect them before leaving.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £14,805 - £22,755
One full bursary awarded per year as a rule
Schools nearby
Prior's Field School
Godalming, South East
Aldro
Godalming, South East
Barrow Hills School
Godalming, South East
King Edward's School Witley
Godalming, South East
Guildford High School
Guildford, South East
Duke of Kent School
Cranleigh, South East
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A small, family-feel prep with strong inspection results and a low pupil-to-teacher ratio. Day fees run from £14,805 to £22,755, with one full bursary offered each year for families who need it.
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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St Hilary's School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.