Independent schools Haslemere/Hindhead/Liphook/South Farnham

[opeysmum]

Hi All - we are settling into the area and I am looking to move my DS (yr2 this sept) and DD Yr R this sept into an independent school. Moving my DS from state primary, I am keen to find a good school that isn't too strait-laced (ie not a million miles away from what he is used to). He is a typical little boy with his mind on saving the world as a superhero most of the time so something too rigid would not be quite right. I am prepared to consider sending them to different schools if needs be. Really like the look of Brookham but it is pricier than others I think. Grateful for your views of schools in the area. I know little about the system so please educate me! Thank you

Friends seemed happy with Barfields.

Churchers Juniors in Liphook is nice and fairly 'normal'.

Amesbury sounds like it could be an option. The headmaster is brill! Pretty relaxed school in many ways, but with a serious note to study. Very big on cricket and tennis. Co-ed day school.

yes they are on my look round list - Churchers has a wait list unfortunately for the classes I need. Any views on the Haslemere schools? St Ives/Haslemere Prep?

No personal experience of those schools, but they both have a good reputation. Loads of choice round here. I'm guessing you've checked out the Good Schools Guide? Good luck with your search.

hi, I did my work experience whilst studying for my NVQ3(childcare and education) at Bookham. I worked in the nursery and in R and year 1. I thought it was a really lovely school, teachers keen for the children to learn in a fun enviroment. I have also nannied for a couple of families whose children went there, children really enjoyed school and were very happy. St. Ives is equally as lovely, nannied for a family who went there too again the girls loved it and thrived!! welcome to the area and good luck.

Direction wise, will you be driving UP the A3, do I gather? If so both Barfield and Edgeborough in south Farnham would be in striking distance but most of the children there do come from the Farnham area which would be a factor for socialising - not strictly true, but mostly so.

On current standards, it's too long since mine left to give any up to date help on the schools but when I was choosing I did have in mind where I wanted them to go Afterwards and factored that in too. I picked places with a track record of getting into the senior schools I liked.

thank you all - yes we are just off the A3. I have to confess, I'm a bit clueless about senior schools. It seems so hard to predict what sort of children they might become when they are so little. As a result I don't know what kind of senior schools would suit them. At the moment my instinct is simply to say that I would like to educate them in the local vicinity.

Westwinger - do you have children at Amesbury?

Yes - but she is in the nursery ATM so can't comment in any meaningful detail on the prep school part. I want her to go to the prep school, so put her in nursery to guarantee her space. We got a good feel when we looked round - children all seemed very happy and relaxed but still polite.

Have a look at The Royal School, my DDs are at the Senior Schoolthere and are doing very well. The School now take boys as well as girls in the 'Diamond School' model, although maybe not yet Y2 boys. Have also heard good things of Amesbury and St Edmunds - all 3 are close to the A3 so you should definitely take a look round, and see what you think.