Boys schools other than RGS? St Johns- Leatherhead, City of London Freemans, Reids, Cranleigh,

[londoner01]

Any recommendations for if a boy is not RGS/Hampton level. We are based in Guildford.

I have named the obvious in the title. We are unsure of St John's academics form looking at their leaver's destinations which seem very mixed.

Prepared to travel for a good school in any direction from us so- London, Sussex, Hampshire or Surrey. Would be a day pupil though.

DS would suit RGS perfectly we are just unsure if academically he would get in. Prep school head said there is a small chance he would make RGS but we should look around and recommended those in the thread title. We are looking for somewhere similar to RGS, but that caters for those who would just miss getting into RGS.

Any ideas?

[mummytime]

What about: King Edward's Witley, St Edmund's or the Royal at Hindhead, Box Hill School, St George's Weybridge or Salesian (Farnborough). I also know someone whose son goes to Churcher's Petersfield by train.

[Absolutmum]

Epsom College, Reeds?

[londoner01]

Great, thanks! Any opinions/ideas what type of boy suits the mentioned schools.
I'm finding lots searching through online directories, just have no idea (often even from the website) if it is right for us or not.
I ruled out St Edmunds and Royal as unsure about a growing school- think DS needs older boys for role models.
Thanks again.

[londoner01]

PS wish there was a Tormead equivalent in central Guildford for boys!! Can see a real market there.

[Londonlady48]

What about Kingston Grammar School, I have heard good things about the place, friends seem very happy with it. Emanuel could be reached from Guildford quite easily as well. I don't think either of these schools are mega academic like RGS.

[holidaysrcoming]

not sure how old your ds is but I have heard that cranmore is likely to be extending to 16

[racmun]

What about Reigate Grammar school. It's academic but I don't think quite as high as RGS Guildford.
There is a direct train from Guildford to Reigate too.

[mummytime]

Tormead is changing though (at least from what parents say to me). Reigate Grammar is a good alternative to RGS; and Salesian is the traditional RGS back up. (Of course there are even State schools which do well.)

RGS is becoming ever more selective which has changed it (I know boys who wouldn't get in nowadays but went through it happily in the past).

[londoner01]

That is really interesting about Cranmore holidaysrcoming, definitely would create the (well old) Tormead for boys type school. We looked at Cranmore though for DS years ago and it wasn't for us whatsoever. I think it is a marmite school. Are they getting more land to cater for this?

(mummytime*- are you able to share more about how tormead is chaning out of interest (I have girls too)? PM if you'd prefer/feel willing.
Will look at salesian, is the catholic aspect an issue for non-catholics?
Yes, tricky with the increased selectivity. Our prep school head said DS would have got in say 5-10 years ago, but now it will be touch and go.

[Happymum22]

If your DS is the level to be only just missing RGS, I would say City of London Freemans, Kingston Grammar, Reeds and Epsom College.

I know a boy who didn't get into RGS but did get into City of London Boys (the one in London) he commutes from Woking with his father each morning and evening. It sounds a long commute but in reality it is half an hour on the train to Waterloo and then a short walk. I think he leaves at 7:30 which is when many children in surrey leave to get to their independent school.

[mypinkmonkey]

My eldest son went to CLFS in Ashtead and is now at Oxford. He was very happy there.It is academic but also caters for sporty, musical , drama etc. The current head has not been that popular but apparently is moving on. My youngest son is in U6 at St. John's. until this year it has not been that strong academically but it also has a new head who has been putting up the academic requirements for entry etc. FWIW my son has an offer from Durham (AAA). Again he has been very happy there- he boards weekly and enjoys it immensely - pretty expensive though.