Normandy, Surrey

[Elletwelve]

Hi, we are looking at a few houses in Normandy moving from claygate. I have a 3 year old and expecting in October and so keen to find somewhere with decent (state) schools and nursery for the littlest one. (I will be going back full time). In claygate we have been spoilt with very active mums groups and loads of stuff for the kids to do. I am hoping to find an area similar. I can't find the same number of mums facebook groups etc so was hoping someone can help!

[SmallBee]

Hi Elle, we looked briefly at Normandy a few years ago, so it may have changed, but we were told there is a big travellers site nearby which put me off as I have had really bad experience with them in the past. I didn't really look too much into it though so I might be wrong or things may have changed.

[Elletwelve]

So we are in a real conundrum as we really like one of the houses but worried we will be a bit out on our own. Can anyone help? Alternative is pretty dramatic and moving (back) to the north west of England! Really torn as to whether to make an offer.....

Also can anyone tell me where the kids then go to secondary school. I have seen wykes primary which is hopefully where my daughter would go but not sure where after that..

[GU24Mum]

I think from there you would either get Kings Guildford or Ash Manor. Kings certainly isn't somewhere you'd move to in order to be in the catchment tbh.......

[buzzing]

I live in Normandy! Love it, though it is rural (no shops etc), there is a growing "younger" community in what has been a fairly old people village.

Wyke Primary is lovely, though as said the secondary school choices aren't amazing at present, though there are constant talks of a new school being built so I'm not worrying about it yet.

Hope the move goes well what you decide / have probably decided by now. If you do end up in Normandy feel free to drop me a message.

[buzzing]

And don't worry about the travellers, there are a few permanent sites around the village but we've never had any trouble / issue with any of them.

[clawdia4]

I completely agree with what buzzing said!
We have lived in Normandy for 18 months with our 2 and 6 year olds and love it!
There isn't a lot here but walking distance to the train station (and 6 minute train ride into Guildford) and we are surrounded by beautiful countryside.
My eldest doesn't got to Wyke as he already had a place at another local primary before we moved so I can't speak for the school but two lovely nurseries in the village.

[MrsF1]

Not sure what you decided to do - but I am over at Wood Street Village (next village along to Normandy - just slightly closer to Guildford). Some children in our village go to Winston Churchill Secondary School over at Brookwood. There is still talk of a 5-form entry secondary school being built near Fairlands (on the Rokers plot - opposite Merrist Wood Agricultural College). There's a great selection of nurseries, pre-schools, infants and junior schools in the area. Lots of mummies groups in and around the area too. Loads of stuff for kids to do too. We were looking at a house in Normandy but I had a falling out with the vendor and ended up buying a house on the other side of the field...!!

[Tezry]

Hi all, I am thrilled to come across a recent thread which relates to my current situation.
My husband has been renting a workshop space in Normandy for almost 2 years now and we have been contimplating the move ever since. We currently in Wimbeldon and both my boys attend an outstanding high school, and my daughter attends an outstanding primary school. This doesn't mean much to me with my eldest son and my daughter as they not accamdemicly influesend however my son in year 9 very much is. What are your thoughts on secondary schools for my academic child? Do I drive him to school here in wimbeldon or do you think there are equaviallant schools I could get him a placemant at in the area? I know my daughter would thrive on the country life style and so would my eldest son who's about to write his GCSE's. So my next question is, does he have to finish his GCSE at his current school or could we do a college placement for subjects he is keen on?
Sorry for the long post, desperate for some advice from someone nuetral opinions 😁

[Smsquared]

Hi all - conscious this is quite an old thread so not sure how many of you are still MN users but in case any of you are and still live in Normandy I'm keen to hear your thoughts. We live in Guildford right now but are looking for something a bit more rural and have seen somewhere we love in Normandy. Have a 3 year old and a baby but struggling to understand the schools catchment area situ. Where do your kids go to school for primary / secondary? Also worried about a potential lack of community as there doesn't seem to be any high street or real amenities in Normandy. Any info is welcome! 

[buzzing]

I’m still here 😊

For primary schools, Wyke Academy is in the village. Don’t be put off by the recent ofsted report, nobody who goes there has a bad word to say about it really. For secondary, it can be a bit of a mix - dependent on where you are in the village it’s likely to be Ash Manor, or maybe Kings in Guildford, or some get in to Broadwater in Godalming.

Regarding community - it does exist I promise, but it’s not very well publicised so you do have to look for it. We’ll be opening a community shop later this year, lots of sporting groups, WI, “pub” at the cricket club on a Friday night.

Happy to chat over pm if you want any more info.