Welcome from Sam Price, Head of Cranleigh School
"At Cranleigh, we believe education goes far beyond academic success – it is about who our pupils become and equipping them to thrive in their futures. When you walk around our school, you feel a clear sense of warmth, ambition, and belonging. I am proud to lead a school where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to be themselves."
From Our Culture Comes Strength
Our school motto, Ex Cultu Robur – From Our Culture Comes Strength – sits at the heart of Cranleigh School. It reflects the values, character, and community spirit on which our school was founded.
At Cranleigh, we know, support and celebrate every pupil no matter what stage of the Cranleigh journey they join us. Here, ambition goes hand in hand with kindness. We balance outstanding academics with excellent care and a rich breadth of co-curricular opportunities.
We keep our eyes firmly on our pupils' futures. Through our Future Ready programme, pupils tackle real-world challenges, building the confidence, self-awareness, and critical thinking skills they need for life beyond school. They leave us as highly qualified, resilient, curious, and grounded young people ready for the world.
Two Sites, One School
Cranleigh is one school across two connected sites – Prep and Senior. Both share the same approach to education, culture, and values.
Regardless if a child is joining from Cranleigh Prep or another school, pupils enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted journey from their early Prep years through to Sixth Form. Shared facilities, a joined up approach to learning and teaching, and consistent pastoral care mean every child feels safe, secure, and supported throughout their time with us.
Our Aims and Core Values
We aim to help young people grow with purpose, ambition, and integrity. We want every pupil to discover their strengths and achieve their best within a happy, welcoming community.
Three core values guide our daily life:
- ASPIRE BOLDLY – Set ambitious goals, tackle challenges with confidence, and try your best in everything you do.
- BE YOURSELF – Be proud of who you are, build self-confidence, and discover your passions.
- LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS – Show kindness, empathy, and respect, working together to support our school and local community.
The Cranleigh Culture
Our culture shapes everything we do – how pupils learn, how they care for each other, and who they become:
- A Culture of Opportunity: We combine high academic standards with sport, performing arts, and outdoor adventure, offering the stretch, creativity, and opportunity every child needs to discover their passions and thrive.
- A Culture of Belonging: A friendly, caring community where lifelong friendships are formed, every pupil feels valued, and differences are celebrated.
- A Culture of Ambition: An environment that inspires pupils to aim high, act with integrity, and grow into confident, thoughtful leaders.
- A Culture of the Future: Cutting edge, innovative teaching that helps pupils think critically, solve problems, and work well with others.
Social Responsibility and EDIB
How is Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) led and monitored across the school?
At Cranleigh, we want every pupil to feel they belong, whatever their background, identity, or lived experience. Our EDIB strategy shapes our curriculum, pastoral care, staff recruitment, and how we offer bursaries and scholarships.
Senior leaders oversee EDIB across both schools. Naomi Ambrose (Director of Futures) and Gemma Bukowska (Housemistress, Rhodes) lead this work. We review our progress each year against our published Action Plan, guided by regular feedback from pupil groups like the Diversity Alliance and Cranleigh Being.
How is inclusion reflected in everyday school life?
Inclusion is part of everyday life at Cranleigh. Teachers plan lessons with awareness of different identities and needs, which is also reflected in our approach to pastoral care. Pupils are encouraged to value different perspectives and experiences, with groups such as the Diversity Alliance and Cranleigh Being providing opportunities to share their views and help shape school life. Together, these ensure every pupil feels seen, respected and that they belong.
Community Service
We believe that being fortunate brings a duty to help others. We encourage pupils to look beyond themselves and build empathy by taking part in local charity work, volunteering, and environmental projects.
Key Initiatives & Community Impact
The Zambia Partnership
Since 2011, Cranleigh has worked alongside Beyond Ourselves and Kawama Community School in Kitwe, Zambia. We support vulnerable children by helping fund quality education, nutritious meals, improved facilities, and teacher training.
This is a two-way partnership built on mutual respect. It gives Cranleigh pupils and staff a hands-on understanding of global responsibility, service, and sustainable development, while learning from the resilience and community spirit of those in Kitwe.
The Cranleigh Foundation
The Cranleigh Foundation reflects our commitment to widening access and changing young lives. It provides fully funded, supported places for children who have experienced significant life challenges, loss, or trauma, offering them a safe and nurturing environment to flourish.
Funded through the generosity of our school community, the Foundation builds a lasting legacy. It opens doors for deserving young people while enriching our entire school through a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.
Frequently asked questions about Aims & Ethos
What is the Cranleigh Ethos?
Cranleigh is one school across two sites – Prep and Senior – with high ambitions for every student. We believe all young people can thrive in a happy, inclusive environment where they are encouraged to work hard, embrace challenge and grow in confidence.
Working in partnership with families, we provide a personalised education that inspires students to Aspire Boldly, Be Yourself and Care for Others. Whatever their ability or interests, every child will find support, encouragement and opportunities to succeed.
How is EDIB led and approached by Cranleigh?
At Cranleigh we want every pupil to feel they belong, whatever their background, identity or lived experience. Our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) strategy shapes how we design our curriculum, support pupils pastorally, recruit and develop staff, and how we approach scholarships and bursaries.
EDIB at our independent school in Surrey is led by senior staff with clear responsibility and accountability. Naomi Ambrose (Director of Futures) and Gemma Bukowska (Rhodes Housemistress), hold formal responsibility for EDIB across the school.
Cranleigh’s published action plan sets out priorities and is reviewed annually, with progress measured against stated goals. Pupil groups, including the student-led Diversity Alliance, supported by Cranleigh Being, contribute actively to feedback and development.
See our EDIB Action Plan below.
What's the Zambia partnership?
Cranleigh’s partnership with Beyond Ourselves reflects our commitment to encouraging pupils to think beyond themselves and make a positive contribution to the wider world. Since 2011, Cranleigh has worked alongside Kawama Community School in Kitwe, Zambia, helping to provide vulnerable children with access to high-quality education through investment in facilities, teacher development, nutrition and learning opportunities.
The partnership is built on mutual respect and collaboration, enabling Cranleigh pupils and staff to learn from the resilience, ambition and community spirit of those they meet, while contributing meaningfully to a shared vision of sustainable development. Through this relationship, Cranleighans gain a deeper understanding of global responsibility, service and the importance of using their skills and resources to help others thrive.
What is the Cranleigh Foundation?
The Cranleigh Foundation embodies Cranleigh’s commitment to widening access and providing life-changing opportunities for young people who have experienced significant challenges in their lives. Through fully funded and supported places, the Foundation enables children who may have faced trauma, loss or difficult circumstances, enabling them to benefit from the nurturing, inclusive and transformative environment at Cranleigh.
Through the generosity of the Cranleigh community, the Foundation is building a lasting legacy that helps talented and deserving young people flourish, while enriching the whole School through the diversity of experiences, perspectives and stories they bring. This commitment reflects Cranleigh’s belief in social responsibility, compassion and the importance of ensuring that opportunity is available to those who can benefit most.