Woking/Guildford/Camberley Prep schools

[lme30005]

Hi

I'm thinking of moving my son to a prep school from his state junior school for various reasons. He is quite academic but not very sporty so am trying to get a feel for what the local private schools are like.
We have visited Hoe Bridge and Lyndhurst in Camberley before, and are planning visits to a few others. Can anyone give me any insight into any of the Woking/Guildford/Camberley schools? Particularly looking at St Andrews or Ripley Court
Thanks

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Thanks, have sent you a PM back

Thanks for the info. Might have to put Lanesborough further up my list, despite the boy thing. Very keen on RGS too so Lanesborough might be a good school to stand any chance of getting in there.
So difficult to decide what school is right for him, even when I've been there to look around

IMO it is only worth paying for some private preps. Of those you have considered I would only look at the Lanesborough. I would stay clear of Hoe Bridge and Ripley Court and pay for tutoring along side the state school (perhaps change state school). What year is your son?

IMO Hoe Bridge does fine, sending kids to similar secondaries to Lanesborough. It depends where the OP lives for state schools.
Lanesborough a big plus is if he is musical, however do be aware that lots of boys from Lanesborough do not get into RGS (most I know seem to be heading to St John's Leatherhead).

I don't want to move him to another state school as the others aren't much better, he is in year 3 now. I would leave him where he is and get a tutor in the last couple of years as many people I know are not happy that their children ended up in year 6 hardly any better than they were in year 3. I'm concerned I might not be able to spot if and when he might start going downhill or not progressing as he should.
Lanesborough's location is a bit tricky as its in town

Chestnutx3 - any reason you would steer clear of HB or RC? Heard good and bad things about St Andrews so far

What about Lanesborough's location is the issue? It does get busy around there, which is more due to the density of schools (opposite Tormead, just down the road from GHS, and lots of parents have kids at one of the girls schools and Lanesborough). Added to that, just the other side of Boxgrove there are 4 state schools relatively close to each other.
However before 8 am, the roads tend to be pretty empty. You may well be able to lift share with other parents, and as he gets older he maybe able to walk from a little further away.
Also from personal experience, the road by Hoe Bridge can be one long traffic jam in the morning.

It will be difficult if not impossible to get a year 4 place for your son at the Lanesborough, it depends if there is any movement and what the waiting list is like. RC and HB I'm sure they will fit you in - the fact they will be able to says alot IMO. RC headmaster is a very controversial figure so it depends if he floats your boat. HB have a very mixed intake which may not suit the most academic of boys.

If RGS is your destination then you need to look at the number of leavers from the school you are considering that go to RGS. RGS current headmaster loves state school kids so moving may not help.

RGS is one of the schools I like the look of, along with Hampton and Salesian College.
I have other DC's so will be dropping them off at school too so location is a strong factor for me, don't want to be late doing either drop off.
I appreciate I will struggle to find a place in any good prep school for year 4 or 5. I don't want to put him anywhere though - want to make sure it's the right move for him as I'd hate to have to move him again
Are class sizes of 12 too small? Would that be ringing financial alarm bells?

I have known boys move to Lanesborough in years 4 and 5 (and even one in year 6), so it all depends.
12 sees quite a reasonable class size, and I haven't heard any rumours of financial difficulties. I would be extremely shocked if there were any for Hoe Bridge (as I know several teachers there).

Mummytime - Sorry I didn't mean financial difficulties at Lanesborough or HB, it was another school I'd seen. Couldn't work out whether a class size of 12 was a good or bad thing!
Got a few more open days set up which may help make things clearer

Hints of financial difficulties would be things like lots of kids leaving, joint age group classes. The ownership of the school and the buildings can also be useful indicators. But then some schools have closed very suddenly recently for no good reason, and with no warning. (A good sign might be other business on site but which don't detract from the education; eg. weddings and school holiday clubs/activities.)