George Abbot School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status in Burpham, north-east of the town centre of Guildford providing a comprehensive education, for around 2,000 young people, aged 11–18.

History

The school is named after the Guildford-native 17th-century Archbishop of Canterbury George Abbot. The two main buildings are Elmslie and Raynham, named after the two headteachers when the buildings were separate schools, Miss Elmslie for girls, and Mr Raynham for boys.

Curriculum

All students must take four GCSE subjects. In Years 7 to 9, students are required to participate in six creative/expressive subjects: dance, drama, music, textiles, graphics and art. During Year 7 students are taught one language of either French, German, or Spanish. Upon going into Year 8, some are given the chance to take an additional language out of the original three. Some carry on these languages for GCSE. All GCSE students are advised to take at least one creative/expressive subject, which at GCSE include Photography, Computer Graphics and Architectural Design, however if they do pick four academic subjects or four creative subjects, that is accepted. Other subjects include History, Leisure and Tourism, Sociology and Physical Education.

Students take separate or combined science GCSEs (all involve Chemistry, Physics and Biology). Religious education is divided into roughly half of students who take a short-course and half a long-course GCSE. An option exists of taking fast track foreign languages (a year early) so pupils are able to learn another language (Spanish, German, or French) to take two language GCSEs.

Sixth Form

George Abbot has a Sixth Form with nearly 500 students. It offers a choice of over 40 subjects at A level and BTEC, GCSE re-take options and enrichment courses. Facilities include a Sixth Form Centre, artificial pitch and sports fields, a Fitness Suite and a common room.

Notable former pupils

Sport

• Alex McCarthy, Premier League goalkeeper
• Ashley Giles MBE, cricketer
• Georgina Hermitage, paralympic sprinter
• Liam Heath, canoeist and Olympic gold medallist
• Matt Jarvis, professional footballer
• Rachel Cawthorn, Olympic canoeist

Music

• John Renbourn, folk guitarist and former member of Pentangle

Film/TV

• Ellie Wallwork, actress