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Original poster

Secondary Schools (private or state) in/around Surbiton, Esher or Weybridge

29 replies

SarahDubai · 14/02/2024 07:53

Hi All, we are a British expat family moving back to the UK this Summer. We will be living in either Surbiton, Esher or Weybridge.

We have 2DS. Looking for secondary schools for them for Year 9 and Year 10 in September 2024. Both are kind & polite boys. Academically both achieving decent grades. My Year 9 is v good at football, the other one is not as sporty!

I’ve looked at State School options which we can only apply to once we have settled in Surrey. More importantly, all the good schools are oversubscribed (eg Hinchley Wood, Esher High, Heathside School and Cobham Free).

We have applied to St George’s College and Claremont Fan School.
However, both are currently full. Considering applying to Hampton Court House School as it seems friendly and my boys like the idea of no uniform! Any feedback on this school? Or Radnor/Kneller House?

Also considering ACS in Egham, I know it’s IB and not in Surrey! I visited the ACS in Esher but found the classrooms and labs were pretty old/dark considering the high fees! Also, not sure if the IB diploma is currently recognised by the majority of UK Universities. I’m sure in time it will become more popular.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in Advance.
Sarah :)

OP posts:
Deepdownunder · 14/02/2024 17:39

Maybe Halliford? I think they do football.

tennissquare · 14/02/2024 17:35

The year 9 spaces for Sept 24 at those schools are full from the admissions process started when the dc were in year 6 and ended last Friday. For a year 10 space you are dependent on someone leaving and your dc then passing an exam and beating the other candidates.

JaffaCake24 · 14/02/2024 17:24

Many schools are very full at the moment. You could try Reeds, St Johns or Epsom College as well as they aren't too much further out from you and all have school buses. They aren't quite in your neck of the woods but if your DS is genuinely very good at football these sporty schools may take a look at him (and possibly take your younger son) because they're always on the lookout for very good sports people.

The fees are very high though unfortunately but the schools generally have very good feedback from parents/happy kids.

tennissquare · 14/02/2024 17:10

@SarahDubai , it sounds like you are on the right track, a Year 10 place is hard to come by and if CFC and St George's are full your options are as you have indicated HCH and Radnor (also you could try Ewell Castle). No one knows when Radnor will move to the Kneller Hall site (it's in the hands of the very very slow moving Richmond planning dept). HCH is a marmite school, you have to visit to understand the ethos.
For your year 10 dc, if you live in the postcode for the Esher College admissions policy they will get a place at Esher College for 6th form for A levels (state).

I wouldn't discount ACS if you want stability but as you say it's expensive (and it would be difficult to go from ACS IB to Esher College for A levels).