Raleigh school Horsley & moving to area

[sherm]

Hi we are considering move to Horsley with my 3yo ds and baby girl. Is Raleigh school as amazing as it seems? Will I be able to get a pre-school place for 3yo? Is there much going on in local community - playgroups/mums groups/playgrounds/countryside walks? Coming from Walton where there's loads to do with kids. My 3yo has endless energy and I'm slightly nervous about moving somewhere much quieter. I don't really drive much and won't have car during day initially, how limiting will this be? Advice gratefully received...

[sixlive]

You need a car during the day. School most people are happy with. Village hall has a nursery, Gymboree, playground outside. Shops butcher, convenience store, very small library, and a cafe. You will need a car to get to play groups and visit other mums. Much less going on than Walton but more countryside on your doorstep.

[sherm]

thanks - what are the downsides to the school?

[springrain]

Aim for living between village and school if you are going to be without a car as there is a good playground, playing fields, nursery, doctors all by EH village shops and you would be walkable to both. Plus of course the station. If you have a bike with a baby seat and kids scooter you would manage but getting to swimming lessons etc more of a hassle, but doable as there are 2 pools other end of village that have kids lessons. No real downsides of school - both mine went through it, loved it and have gone on to do well.

[Banter]

Having visited Walton, I think you'd find Horsley very quiet and if my children were as young as yours, I really wouldn't fancy being without a car. Have you looked in Bookham? It is surrounded by the same glorious countryside but it is a bigger village. That means there's a choice for everything you'd want, whether that's shops (more than one butchers, bakers, grocers, deli etc), family-focused services and venues (toddler groups, play groups, surgeries and schools) and you'd have some great attractions on your doorstep (the National Trust's Polesden Lacey and Bookham Common, Bockett's Farm etc, with good bus and train access to services you'll want to know you can access easily when you need them, like the Leisure Centre and hospital!

[sherm]

Thanks so much for the replies! We went for a visit yesterday and really liked the Horsley area. I think we'll be OK as long as I can get 3yo into pre-school. Can anyone tell me what our chances are? Are they over-subscribed? I think there's one at Raleigh school and a Montessori - are there any others?

[springrain]

There are 3 main nurseries
Raleigh Nursery at Raleigh school - this is independent of the school but on same site
First Steps at the EH village hall in Kingston Avenue
Footprints Montessori in Long Reach (next to football club)
Plus Cranmore and Glenesk also have them, although would not be as good for transition to Raleigh given most will carry on at these schools. You should be able to get into one of these.

Also as DS gets older you will benefit from great football and cricket clubs in the village with fab facilities.

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Check out the furthest distance admitted in the last few years - being in pre school doesn't get you a place in the school.

Post on MN local for more views

Can you get another car during the day?

[holidaysrcoming]

Agree with TheDoctrine make sure you check last distance admitted - some years the distance has been quite small most likely because of high sibling numbers...

First Steps at East Horsley village hall is no more. There is a new pre school opening there but sorry can't remember what it is called. Depending on where you live Montessori might be a struggle without a car. PM me if you want any more info ! good luck.

[FifeBraze]

I do not recommend the Raleigh School for a few reasons around management creating a highly defensive (even offensive) culture. Not enough is done to protect children from some serious bullying and some teachers are quite defensive and frequently talk over parents who raise legitimate concerns. I would try to speak to parents who have removed their children from the school as well as current parents to get a more comprehensive picture. Some parents praise the school but many admit that they worked hard to keep on the head teacher's good side.

[ActiveGran]

Sounds like FifeBraze has an axe to grind! No school is perfect but most parents I have spoken to are happy and feel their children are nurtured and do well. The children who are taken out of the school usually move to the independent sector, I think that the parents see the Raleigh as a good first stage and cheaper than a prep school.

[pea84]

Hopefully your children haven't got any SEN issues as the headteacher will do their best to convince you to look elsewhere. Two families I know have been told that they wouldn't be able to meet their children's needs and other schools would be better for them. Who knew this sort of behaviour went on in schools?! Disgraceful!