Choosing a Prep School near Reigate for DS

[Tigger69]

Hello, we are moving en famille to Reigate this summer and would love some info and local knowledge on the prep schools. I am going for a look around Micklefield and Reigate St Mary and both would be able to take DS from rising 4. The other school I have seen info on is Hawthorns so I will contact them too. Do many travel further afield and if so where to?
There is lots of really useful info in other threads but all a few years old now so it would be great to hear if things are on the up and up or heading down a slippery slope
Thanks

I'd be surprised if H had any spaces now as vast majority of places are filled from their nursery (think 6 spaces for starters in Reception out of about 50, most which go to siblings) . You may be lucky once the LA place allocations come out at end March though as people may yet go elsewhere. Oakhyrst Grange, closer to Caterham, Chinthurst in Tadworth or Priory in Banstead may be alternatives.

Thanks so much for that. I shall look into the other schools.
Do you have any info on the two Reigate preps (RSM and M). Are they similar in terms of teaching standards, academic results, extra curricular activities. Is either suited to a particular type of child. RSM seems to be bigger but M are expanding facilities. Are there any problems at either?
Would love to hear from someone with a child at either

Don't have direct experience of either , sorry. Anecdotally Micklefield has a less sporty reputation, RSM stronger musically. Both only go up to year 6 so prepare the children for 11+ exams (such as for RGS and Whitgift) accordingly whereas others go through to Year 8(13+/Common Entrance) and focus less on preparation for 11+. Doubt you've thought that far ahead yet but some local senior schools like Epsom College and St Johns Leatherhead currently only have a 13+ intake.

Thanks Lizs, the thought of 11 or 13 hadn't occurred at all! Is H as academic. They appear to have fantastic facilities but just wondering if they are as successful at getting children into RGS etc? We have some open days lined up now so looking forward to going to see some of the schools. Thanks

If your child is reasonably bright then he/she should get into RGS from any of these schools. It's probably more a question of which school has a place available. H might focus more on 13+ but there are several from H in my dd's year at RGS. They also start latin in year 3 at H which gives them a bit of a head start at senior school. However, it doesn't take long to catch up - my dd had never studied latin before joining RGS and is really enjoying it. Swimming at H is truly brilliant - I think most sports are - and the facilities and grounds are lovely. It never hugely appealed to me but that's just personal choice.

Sorry to correct, Latin starts in Yr5 at H and some may opt for Spanish instead in Year 6. The spread of destination schools is fairly wide including RGS and other local schools with main entry at 11+ often with scholarships and awards but, as it goes up to Year 8, it also includes traditional public schools which only have a 13+ entry, some of which are strongly academic. You also have the option if you don't get in to your first choice at 11 to try again at 13 !

Thanks so much ladies. One more question if you don't mind. I have seen some glowing reviews of H but also a couple of less than happy parents who said it's common for parents to line up extra coaching to get their DS /DD into their secondary schools. Do you know if this is fairly common practice at this or any of the schools ? I understand there may need to be a bit of preparation for 11 + if they encourage pupils to stay but not full on coaching to get grades up. I think we need to get a move on if we stand a chance of getting DS into any of the schools !!

I think that is not unknown at many prep schools tbh. It is officially discouraged at H but definitely happens (with the school's knowledge) although I would n't say widespread. There is certainly less specific preparation for 11+ candidates than 13+ but there is some offered. I think the theory is that much of the competition at 11+ comes from the state sector (especially for RGS) where children will have experienced less formal exam practice over the years anyway. RSM is a feeder prep for RGS and Micklefield definitely prepares their children for 11+ (grammar and independent),fairly intensively too from what I have heard.

Hi Tigger
My dd is at Micklefield at the moment and we are very happy with it, please feel free to message me any questions you may have.

Hi Woolleybear, have sent a message. Thanks so much

know its a drive but well worth looking at Caterham - have a prep school that feeds into main school.

Hello ladies Thanks so much for all of your input. I did wonder about Caterham prep as well as I am reading really good things about the school, but think we will opt for one of the Reigate prep schools (including M) as we will be new to the area and so more likely to meet other local parents. Think we have almost made our minds up!

It really depends on what you want from a school, what do you want your child to be.
I choose Chinthurst School, now taking girls going back to their routes as I met a number of the boys.
One boy I chatted to as I was pregnant waiting for my husband train, and the way he spoke of the school and the teachers just made me feel that what I want my son to be like, beautifully spoken, wonderful manners and confident to chat.
I would encourage you, whatever school you choose to go to , talk to the children, watch them in the corridors and their manners. As the education comes from being happy and connected with the subject.
The choice of school is like buying a house, you just know it when you walk around.

A bit further out but closer than Caterham is Copthorne Prep School. DC1 and 2 went there and there were quite a few parents who lived in the Reigate area that sent their DC there.