Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Duke of Kent, Manor House, Prior's Field, St Edmunds..Small secondaries surrey

40 replies

PelicanDaisy · 10/04/2015 12:12

Looking for a small, caring but high value-added secondary school for DD. Co-ed or all girls. We are in Guildford but prepared to travel any direction.
An extended prep school type ethos would really suit DD, her confidence has been bashed and we want somewhere small and not too competitive. She needs a really supportive atmosphere.

So far we have come across:
Duke of Kent
Manor House
St Edmund's... but all of these don't have sixth forms

Prior's Field... less of an 'extended prep' but does have sixth form and value added. Learning support looks fantastic, I think it caters for the less-academic and is relaxed. Not sure about size though.

Any experiences or schools we could add to the list?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Hia3 · 05/03/2016 16:14

Toughasoldboots- you are commenting on another Duke of ..... School in Kent! I have no opinion on this school, as I know nothing about it.

This thread is talking about D of K a small private independent in the Surrey Hills that has had no complaints- not 3 ofsted reports in 7 mths etc.
Before you make such a critical comment, you should check you have got the correct school.

Summer888 · 02/03/2016 12:52

Sorry - went back to the beginning of the thread . Ignore my question.

Summer888 · 02/03/2016 12:50

Dear Toughasoldboots - which school were you talking about? I am choosing between Priorsfield and St Caths, and wondered if you were talking about either of them? Thank you. I want to avoid bullying and intimidation as my other daughter had that at another well known Guildford school.

chipsterrules · 05/01/2016 14:26

Which school are you referring to @Toughasoldboots?

Lottosay · 27/05/2015 12:24

Not sure what school you are talking about but if it is Duke of York's in Kent (as suggested by some other posts) then your assessment of the school is very wrong.

I have a son attending DoYRMS and he enjoys it very much indeed.

There is a point of view being pushed around by a disgraced ex-member of staff that has been picked up by alarmist newspapers like the Daily Mail. This view is inconsistent with our own experience.

qwerty01 · 22/05/2015 23:05

Woldingham is fantastic school. lovely atmosphere , not sure where the school busses go or of course you could weekly board ..

Kenlee · 20/05/2015 04:42

My daughter is at Priorsfield she loves it. The girls are mostly very bright if not very academic at year 7. I suspect Priorsfield's secret formula is to find bright girls and make them academically smart too. The teaching is excellent and interesting. Boarding is enjoyable with excellent pastoral care. Sports are fantastic. Although DD doesn't really like it.

molly77 · 19/05/2015 19:46

Ok understand confusion now!!

Duke of Kent in Surrey is a lovely caring school with a real family feel. I do worry about in being a bit too over-protective at senior school level but the kids seem very well-rounded and worldly. Numbers of girls are going up.

Priorsfield I hear very good things about.

molly77 · 19/05/2015 19:42

Toughasoldboots - are you sure you're on the right thread?! What school are you talking about?

Toughasoldboots · 18/05/2015 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hia3 · 18/05/2015 15:59

I think you must have the wrong school. This is a small independent school in Ewhurst Surrey , so no public money - not to be confused with other Duke of something schools. One in particular that has had problems.
My child's school has had no formal complaints and parents valued and involved- it has a big PTA( considering size)- I have never heard anything and I am a parent at the school. Has a great reputation - most children are fairly local- numbers have increased. It is known for its caring family approach

Toughasoldboots · 18/05/2015 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aigle · 18/05/2015 12:59

Which school is that, Tough?

Toughasoldboots · 18/05/2015 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

groundhogmummy · 18/05/2015 12:13

Toughas - think you have the wrong school. Poster is talking about Duke of Kent in Surrey, the school you are referring also begins with Duke of... but is in Kent, not Surrey. Can see where this may lead to confusion !

I went to Duke of Kent open day, really liked the atmosphere but have a few questions. Hia3 is your daughter in junior or senior and if latter would you mind if I pmd you a few questions?

Thanks

Toughasoldboots · 18/05/2015 11:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toughasoldboots · 18/05/2015 11:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hia3 · 18/05/2015 11:23

Duke of Kent School is a very happy family feel school- baring in mind it is mixed ability, their GCSE results are good. Bright children come out with A/ A*, but kids that struggle have good value added.
Does have small year groups and not many girls per year group. My daughter's year has a very small number of girls, but it is good- they all represent the school in sport and all get on well. My nieces go to St cats and Priors field, fairly sporty but never quite good enough to make the teams ( both schools very selective with sport). Niece at St. Cats hates the bitchy competative atmosphere and can't wait to leave. The Niece at Priors Field is happier, but finds all girls ( year group 60) at bit to much- so plans to leave and go else where for sixth form- they are both jealous that their younger sister is joining her cousin at Duke of Kent.
If you want a happy child - then it's a perfect school for you.
Happy children will do better academically !

Katnisnevergreen · 11/04/2015 18:25

Have you thought about Woldingham? About 60 girls per year and very nurturing. Although it might be too far away for you

Original poster
PelicanDaisy · 11/04/2015 17:38

Or St Edmund's Hindhead - although worried this one is a new senior...and I thought it was a boys school so perhaps girls are a new addition so fewer in numbers?

OP posts:
Original poster
PelicanDaisy · 11/04/2015 17:35

Thanks all
Any views on Prior's Field or Duke of Kent?
Manor House seems the best fit but we want to look at a few.
I think more discussion and looking at websites has let me to think we want:
Small classes (is 20 optimistic?) and max 2-3 forms per year group
Sports opportunities but not an issue if the school isn't itself brilliant at sports - the more opportunity to play in the teams/matches the better, facilities for this (but don't need flashy pool or field - just opportunity)
Reasonable academics but no problem if that is not the focus by any means - prep head said DD is the academic level she would usually recommend applies to St Cats/Tormead but agrees DD would be far better socially in a smaller school
Enough girls in the year group to find ones she clicks with but co-ed fine
Pastoral emphasis, confidence building rather than sheltering if that makes sense

OP posts:
Namehanger · 11/04/2015 09:12

Frensham Heights - but a bit of a trek, bus from Guildford in the morning.

homebythesea · 11/04/2015 09:05

Pelican will PM you (again) re The Royal!

Original poster
PelicanDaisy · 10/04/2015 22:14

Thanks mummytime. Was unsure about Royal's size? It too looks one which is hoping for numbers to pick up and seems in a transition period. Will add that to the list too.
Thanks all for lots of help and reassurance.

OP posts:
mummytime · 10/04/2015 22:04

I think St Theresa's have a minibus from Guildford, and lots of Guildford girls go there, unlike Dunnoter. It's less rural than Duke of Kent.
Manor House sounds just what you are looking for though.
The other place I'd have expected in your list is the Royal school.

Swipe left for the next trending thread