Any experience of St George's Weybridge, SWPS or Guildford High?

I will add that in any school, there are often quite a few staff changes when a new head takes up post. You have to look at what the staff changes are. The ones I know about at SWPS are either promotions, retirements, or the loss of weaker teachers, so nothing sinister.

The deputy head runs the school and is fairly strict, but comes from a pastoral background so firm but fair. She really has not any responsibility for teaching, other than her subject (and her department is very strong at the moment).

The teachers at SWPS were very happy when the head was promoted.

As for appointing a new deputy head, they are simply changing the traditional Director of Studies title, so still have the standard structure of Head, Deputy - Pastoral, Deputy - Academic, then a bunch of senior teachers (assistant heads), the middle managers. It's really very standard.

My DD is in Y10 too. I haven't heard anything about management problems. Can you elaborate, Bread?

Seriously, Bread? My DD is also in Y10.

There's murmurings of management problems at SWPS. The last few years' results have been in decline since the newest head took post and there's some dissatisfaction with the current Deputy. (the first anyway as they appointed another deputy in September. maybe to address the problems?)

Definitely been lots of changes in senior management over the last couple of years while the head's got his feet under the table and not seen any corrosponding improvements. My suspicion is he's riding off the previous head's achievements as she was fantastic and he was her deputy. Big shoes to fill and not sure if he's doing so.

I'm a little worried my DD (year 10 now) might not achieve what we were expecting in GCSEs as the quality of subject teaching's gone down hill over the past couple of years. And don't get me started on their sports department. If you're not in the A teams, don't get many proper matches!

Transport to Chertsey/Addlestone to Woking isn't too bad. Train via Weybridge - loads of them do this. There are also local buses.

The school bus from SWPS isn't a bad idea as they can do most of their prep in school, or do activities. The SGC buses leave shortly after school ends.

send her single sex if that is all she cares about already!!

I've heard good things about Woking High.

I've known a lot of girls who've gone to GHS. They seem to have plenty of time to have fun - and the head has been known to talk to families who were "doing too much" for the daughter to cope eg. Grade 8 in 3 instruments, Competitive swimming, and multiple choirs/orchestras. Unless your DD only just got in she should have plenty of space for other activities, they have great Sports facilities, do a lot of Drama and Music.
Also as your DD would be commuting by train (and they have a buddy system for new year 7s to travel with older girls), she would also have plenty of time to mix with RGS boys when she's older.
But I would also look yourself and listen to your daughter's own opinions, as they can spot something we as parents miss.

In my experience SWPS caters for all the girls who attend the school and expect the girls to work hard and achieve the highest standard they can. Class tests often have to be sat again if a certain mark has not been attained. Academic achievement is celebrated but at the same time if a girl finds she is struggling with a subject the teachers are usually approachable. Girls do very well at the school and one of my DDs (now at Uni) wouldn't hesitate to go back into year 7 and go through again if she could because she loved the school so much!

What IS your local comp choice, because based on your choice of indie schools, there are several options off the top of my head, depending on exactly where you are placed? I think if you throw that into the mix, people will be able to advise more accurately? There is, for instance, quite a difference between Jubilee High in Addlestone or St John the Baptist in woking!

I have had children at St George's and SWPS.

If you live closer to these schools rather than Guildford High, there are no good state schools.

I love SWPS. The girls are not embarrassed about loving learning and it is cool to achieve. They support one another. It really is a school that ticks all the boxes.

My boys went to St George's and one of them loved it. The other tolerated it. They were fairly complacent although I did point out to the old head that they were the only coed independent school in Runnymede so no wonder their numbers were strong. The new head should be a breath of fresh air. I didn't want my girls to go to St George's as I thought the girls there were a bit "hard", hence they went to SWPS?

GHS is also a very complacent school. They cream off the top girls in the county so they have the top grades across the board.

I think the OP, given her choice of three excellent schools, should prioritise transport. What public transport options are a reality to you. You have to think this out long term.