Caterham School was founded as the Congregational School in 1811 in Lewisham, by the ReverendJohn Townsend to provide a boarding education for the sons of Congregational Ministers. The abolitionist politician and philanthropist William Wilberforce was a Governor of the School from its foundation until his death in 1833. By 1884, the School had outgrown its premises, and the 114 boys 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 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 - prior to this merger, the motto was "Omnia Vinces Perseverando".
Scholarships and bursaries
The schools fees are comparable with other Independent Schools in the area. If the applicant performs particularly well on the entrance exam tests, the school may award a scholarship. The scholarships can either be academic, art, music, sport or all-rounder. The academic scholarships are up to 50% off the school fees. 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.
Academics
Caterham School's GCSE academic results of 2015 saw 50.1% of pupils achieving an A* grade and 79.8% of pupils achieving an A grade or above, both statistics breaking school records. Caterham School's 2015 A-Level academic results saw 24.3% of pupils gaining an A* grade and 64.4% of pupils achieving an A grade or higher.
Music Department
The music department has over 20 music groups, with regular music lessons. The music and drama department combine to put on a production.
General information
The campus has facilities for extra curricular activity including 18 different sports, 20 music groups and over 36 clubs and societies. 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 and also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. 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. As well as being committed to supporting those with exceptional sporting talent, the school provides as many pupils as possible the chance to participate in sport. The Preparatory School has 280 pupils and the senior school has 870 pupils of which circa 165 board. The current Headmaster is Ceri Jones, appointed in 2015. The school has an exchange-based relationship with Western Reserve Academy, an American prep school.
