Guildford secondary state schools

[Mummybetty]

Hello

We will be moving from overseas to Guildford sometime between Christmas and Easter 2016. I have 3 daughters aged 14, 12 and 10 and have been researching state schools. So far for the secondary schools I understand that Guildford County School and George Abbot are the most recommended. Does anyone have first hand experience of these schools? We are flexible on where we actually live so I presume choosing the school first is priority. For my youngest daughter does anyone have state primary school recommendations near to GC or GA?

As well as obvious academic strengths its important for me that the school we choose has a caring atmosphere with overall 'nice' kids.

Can anyone help me with going further into my research!

Thanks so much...

[LIZS]

You'll need to speak to Surrey County Council school admissions department. Places at local schools are not a given, many will be full, and they may want proof of a local address before offering any places. Would your 13/14 yr old be transferring mid year 10/11 as by then others will have started GCSE coursework and may even be preparing for the exams next summer. So really awkward timing.

[titchy]

Your 14 year old will be at a massive disadvantage moving then as pp said as kids are part way way through their exam years by then so inevitably her results will suffer which might be an issue with A levels or university if you're planning that. Plus all the schools in Guildford are full and the council won't allocate a place until you've moved. Can you come over this summer or look at private schools?

[titchy]

Assuming your oldest isn't 15 before 1 September of course. If she is moving at Easter will mean she misses school entirely and you'll be looking at college or sixth form which might or might not work depending on the system you're coming from.

[Mummybetty]

Have you heard of either of these schools keeping students back a year? So in our case my 14 year old would start the GCSE curriculum in September 2016 instead of 2015?

[LIZS]

Very unlikely. When does she turn 15 ? There is often more flexibility in the private system if that is an option .

[Mummybetty]

She is 15 in January. Private is a possibility but would rather stay with a non fee paying school. I will call the schools tomorrow and find out what their policies are concerning our particular circumstances.

[LIZS]

There won't be a policy, state schools run on chronological age with little room for flexibility unless SN involved and only in rare cases even so. She could join a private school for a couple of years then perhaps transfer to a college, or join a college now ( some intake from 14) and take equivalent qualifications. Private schools are far more used to dealing with o/s students coming from systems which are out of synch. Or you come on ahead for September or delay the move.

[Mummybetty]

Its more complicated than i hoped! Does anyone have recommendations for private schools for girls, preferably near to either GC or GA that I hope to get the other 2 daughters in eventually.. It can be co-ed or all girls..

[Namehanger]

Private girls school in central Guildford - Tormead, Guildford High School.GHS very academic.

Good junior schools in central Guildford- Burpham, Merrow, St Nicholas, PDHT

[LIZS]

If you are prepared to look further afield there is St Catherine's Bramley and St Teresa's. Both Tormead and GHS have junior schools.

[TwigletPiglets]

Private schools IN guildford are limited and single sex:
Guildford High - VERY academic, amazing for the right girl
Tormead - still pretty academic, a bit less buzzy than GHS but a smaller feel
Not far from Guildford:
Bramley direction is St Catherine's - quite posh and a more traditional boarding school (but more girls are day than boarding) jolly hockey sticks feel
Prior's Field in Godalming - country feel, less academic but good value added, good if you are joining part way through a year as they are flexible and a bit more open than the really academic schools

[mummytime]

George Abbot as I said on the other thread, was forced to take someone from overseas into year 11 this year. They arranged a cut down timetable for her so she could do 5 GCSEs in the year.

I'm not sure any of the standard Private schools would be keen to take her unless she is very bright. Somewhere like ACS (runs buses from Guildford) or the International School in Woking might be keener.

[Mummybetty]

Thanks so much for everyones input.

[swarskicat]

I would look at Guildford County. It is an excellent state secondary - a specialist music academy, but good for non musical students too. They have a number of students whose parents are at the University of Surrey (10 minutes walk away) and so often have vacancies in the older year groups.

Queen Eleanor's is the local primary - one of the main feeder schools for County and is outstanding. They are expanding in 15/16, so again may have a space.

[Mummybetty]

Thanks Swarskicat for your positive message!

[CrabbyTheCrabster]

Broadwater School in Godalming is my local secondary. All my local friends' kids go there and all (parents and children) are happy with it. Decent last Ofsted report. I was very impressed when I looked around it. Loads of space, great sports facilities, a recording studio for music, very well equiped design/technology workshops. It's a small school so they may well have space.

Godalming is a fab place to live, and very close to Guildford.