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Original poster

Good independent schools within 45 mins of Gatwick

34 replies

Ineedthesunshine · 08/12/2016 09:25

Can anyone help - I'm looking for a good and pretty academic independent school that is within a 1hr - 45 minute radius of Horley (near Gatwick). We have to move down to Surrey and I haven't got time to go from school to school - eek!

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LIZS · 14/12/2016 21:23

There is usually more than one exam date available if you ask, as dc often sit for more than one school and they sometimes clash. The only boys' schools mentioned are Whitgift and Trinity, Lancing may still be I think, rest are co ed. Alternative for ds2 is to do year 7 & 8 in a prep school and then take 13+ /CE entry to secondary.

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 14/12/2016 21:19

I'm definitely going to ring Reigate Grammar tomorrow as a start.

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Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 14/12/2016 21:17

BTW I'd really like a co-ed I think. I'm not a fan of boy's schools.

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Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 14/12/2016 21:16

I think Surrey must be more competitive for space than here. Although our very selective and very good school (top 30 in the country) says they have no space other than those allocated after exams - we do find in each year that two or three pupils arrive and are found space for. I wonder if that happens where you are?

I think realistically we couldn't physically make it to all the exams as we have the 11+ Common Entrance for DS2 here as well in Jan. I'm beginning to think moving might not be such a good idea.

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schmack · 14/12/2016 21:02

yeah I'm not sure its doable for next year for the ones I mentioned if he dosn't sit the entrance exams in January - I guess you'd have to wait for a waiting list place for next September if anyone leaves.

LIZS · 14/12/2016 20:58

Bedes has a sporty rather than academic reputation. Also about an hour from Gatwick.

LIZS · 14/12/2016 20:56

You may find that isn't so exceptional in some of the more selective schools mentioned though. Unfortunately by Monday the schools will have broken up and some of the 11+ assessments will be very early in January, even before term starts. It might be worth making provisional enquiries before Friday.

Dancergirl · 14/12/2016 20:56

What about Bede's?

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 14/12/2016 20:52

Thanks. Dh is going for final discussions on Monday and if we decide to go we'll contact the schools and see if they have potential spaces. Schools normally fail over themselves to have DS1 - he's an A* all the way kind of kid so that might help our plight.

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schmack · 14/12/2016 20:32

Caterham (drivable), Reigate Grammar School (drivable), Trinity (train to E Croydon from Y6), Whitgift (train to S Croydon from Y6) if you want academic for sporty boys.

itsawonderfulworld · 10/12/2016 15:56

If the commute works, Whitgift would bea great choice and they'd be entering at "normal" entry points of 11+ and 13+. But I think you've missed the application deadline which was sometime in November, with entry tests in January, so you'd need to contact them ASAP to see if anything can be done. I know someone who got a late place there for Year 8 so it's possible that they'd be flexible. Worth a try!

Flappingandflying · 09/12/2016 21:59

Caterham is sporty and has a minibus that picks up in Horley. Whitgift would be 50 mins by car and less than that by train but with the arsing around that Southern is doing it might not be ideal. Hurst is nice but not hugely academic. Worth is in lovely grounds and very near Horley. Has a new head who is forward thinking.

LIZS · 09/12/2016 15:26

Lots of kids commute some distance to Whitgift, from beyond the m25. By train it isn't that far.

BigGreenOlives · 09/12/2016 13:41

I was going to say Caterham, seems friendly when children play matches there.

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 09/12/2016 13:39

Whitgift looks nice - I looked at their website and love that they do fencing - DS2 is fencing mad. But I think it might be in the wrong direction since its in the M25?

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SeptemberFear · 09/12/2016 08:30

For sporty boys you definitely need to have Whitgift on your list. Academically strong, the extra-curricular stuff is amazing. Sport has always been the big draw there but music/drama etc now also becoming increasingly important, so boys get a great all-round experience.

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 08/12/2016 21:08

At least it sounds like there's some v good choices around the area. Reigate sounds v interesting.

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heartknot · 08/12/2016 20:59

Reigate Grammar is the top co-ed in Surrey. Excellent sports including rugby. Strong academically and despite reputation as being a hot house there is lots of emphasis on extra curricular and all round development.

Natalieevans79 · 08/12/2016 19:55

Caterham School - fab school and academic. Ditto Whitgift - boys only

nocampinghere · 08/12/2016 14:14

they'll be joining at normal entry points, 11+ and 13+, yr7 and yr9.

the exams for entry into yr7 (don't know about yr9) are usually first week of Jan,
application deadlines have just closed.
get onto this urgently!

LIZS · 08/12/2016 13:54

Many of them will have a 13+ intake but some of the exams have already happened and offers been made. 11+ tends to be in January. Schools may do a later sitting once the acceptance date has passed in February. If your elder were offered a place it may be possible to take it up before September. Ardingly and Hurst have an attached prep school, Lingfield a junior school so your ds2 could also be accommodated earlier at those too.

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 08/12/2016 13:36

I know LIZS I am worried about finding spots :( They are year 6 and 8 currently and hoping to join (year 7 and 9) maybe in the summer if we can commute for a bit.

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LIZS · 08/12/2016 13:03

CH is boarding. You may struggle to find mid year places at some of these. How old are your dc?

Original poster
Ineedthesunshine · 08/12/2016 12:21

I saw Christ's hospital - I'm not sure I could get my boys in those gowns!

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BreatheDeep · 08/12/2016 12:06

No idea how good it is but Christ's Hospital is in Horsham. I only know of it because of the uniform!

Reigate Grammar is supposed to be good.

(disclaimer - I really know nothing about independent schools. These are just ones I'm aware of in the area)

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