Rowan Hill Prep and Surbiton Juniors

[papalazaru]

Would love to hear from parents who have first-hand experience of the schools above. Thanks.
(Originally posted in Primary - but no replies )

Know both schools both by reputation/talk only rather than first hand experience.
Both are United Church Schools Trust so if you go to Rowan prep I suspect it is fairly easy or slightly easier to get into Surbiton or Guildford High for secondary school.

Rowan I know has great leavers destinations and of the girls I know who left they are all confident, lovely young girls and very bright. I have heard the school grounds are a bit odd- remember looking round portacabins so maybe it was just building work or something. It is much more a traditional prep school wheras SHS a junior school probably a more modern feel.

SHS has a fab head of seniors who used to teach my DDs at Guildford High. She has changed the school quite a bit and given it a new look with uniform changes (much needed!). The juniors is meant to have a great head too. It is a more urban school with less space but tbh it depends on your priorities as to what matters.

Probably academically similar but don't have that much knowledge tbh just thinking of girls I know from both schools.

Go and look around is the best way! Also think where you'd want to send her for senior school- if its SHS, SHS is fine but if it is elsewhere they are unliekly to prep you're daughter as well as Rowan as they expect them to stay on at SHS.

Thanks you Happy. Your insight is very helpful. As we live in Surbiton (and I'm all about making life easier for myself) I would love DD to go to SHS so it sounds like Rowan is a good choice. I've since found out the the junior school is full now anyway....

My daughters attended SHS Junior school from Reception until recently when we moved them to another school to complete their primary education. Although I like the one form entry for Infants and there are some lovely staff there (I can't recommend the Reception teacher/KS1 Coordinator highly enough!) I did feel very strongly as they progressed to KS2 that only if your child was one who 'fit the norm' they were catered for. Problems tended to be raised by parents and either dismissed or not supportively/effectively addressed Compared to their current school which is far more academic and accepting of all sorts of quirky personalities, interests and abilities, I found SHS increasingly 'twee' and our friends whose daughters still attend are reporting dissatisfaction with the management of the Juniors as there have been a lot of changes over the past few years.
Obviously there are many who are satisfied and no school can be 'perfect'. Unfortunately there are no guarantees with any school. I can only share my experience, which is not unique but probably also not The experience of the majority. Both my children are now happier than they have ever been and their academic improvement has also been excellent ...probably because they now LOVE going to school!
Feel free to message me if you would like to discuss any points I have raised.