The Matthew Arnold School vs Thomas Knyvett College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South East, England, 1.8 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
The Matthew Arnold School
Staines-upon-Thames · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
947 students
Thomas Knyvett College
Ashford · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
671 students
| Measure | The Matthew Arnold School Staines-upon-Thames, South East | Thomas Knyvett College Ashford, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 66 Top 50% | 24 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #243 of 679 | #516 of 679 |
| National rank | #1202 of 4,090 | #3238 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 947 | 671 |
| Pupils on roll | 947 | 671 |
| Free school meals | 20.9% | 39.6% |
| Capacity filled | 96.6% | 63.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 49.0 | 38.6 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 46.7% | 30.2% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 67.8% | 46% |
| EBacc average points | 4.10 | 3.36 |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Staines-upon-Thames | Ashford |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.matthew-arnold.surrey.sch.uk | thomasknyvett.org/ |
The verdict
- •The Matthew Arnold School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (65.9 vs 24.2).
- •The Matthew Arnold School is the larger school with 947 students compared with 671.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Matthew Arnold School better than Thomas Knyvett College?
On the Success Index (England), The Matthew Arnold School ranks higher (65.9 vs 24.2 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are The Matthew Arnold School and Thomas Knyvett College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Staines-upon-Thames and Ashford in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
The Matthew Arnold School: 947. Thomas Knyvett College: 671. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do The Matthew Arnold School and Thomas Knyvett College rank in South East?
The Matthew Arnold School is 243rd of 679 and Thomas Knyvett College is 516th of 679 among secondary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).