Cranmore taking girls up to age 7

[netmum1]

I hear Cranmore are taking girls in to the junior school. Thinking of popping along to visit for our DD. Any thoughts?

Take a look at the threads on Cranmore on here- lots of mixed views really and it seems to very much depend on the child as to whether the school 'works' for them.
I can imagine girls will do a lot to change the atmosphere/approach in the school. I would be worried about being in the first year to have girls going through, check on the open day what adjustments they are making to cater for girls in a predominantly boys school and how they will be preparing the girls for sitting the 7+ elsewhere. Not many girls schools in that area have a particularly large intake at 7 as most start at 4 with a full intake, so I'd look into that.

Where else are you looking for your DD? Where would you be thinking of for 7+?

Are they going to do a swap with Rydes Hill at 7? (They take boys until 7 now.)
Bit of a radical change in the atmosphere of the school/schools if they do.

I looked at Cranmore for my son and half way round decided that he wouldn't be going there. I definitely wouldn't send DD as the school is entirely set up for boys and they are only accepting girls as they expanded too quickly and now have far too many spaces! I know of someone who works at Cranmore and removed their son from the school as they weren't happy with it, which was not the endorsement I had been hoping for.

Also I can't see them doing a boy/girl swap with Rydes Hill as they are phasing out boys and are hoping/planning to become an all girls school. This years intake for September has no boys at all.

Have you looked at the Guildford girls schools? There is a school to suit every personality and most, if not all, are good value for money.

I second what JammieMummy says- it is very much a boys school. And with lots of mixed opinions as a boys school. Its motivations for becoming a girls school are questionable. When you compare it to the established girls or co-ed schools I think you will see a huge difference.
In Guildford direction there is so much choice of schools all established with excellent reputations for girls so I wouldn't take the risk of Cranmore or ensure that what you see is comparable.
The other options and their 'niches' are... (Sorry if you know the area/other school options well)
Guildford High Juniors- v academic, all-girls, really good quality girls education
Tormead Juniors- also very academic but slightly more nurturing. I've found girls who suit Tormead don't suit GHS and vice versa.
Rydes Hill- outskirts of Guildford, lovely catholic girls prep, very traditional and cosy
St Cats- academic, friendly, 'buzzy', Bramley.
St Hilarys- mixed ability but very nice girls prep, gets them into excellent seniors, Godalming way
St Teresas- less academic, amazing new building and new head re-branding
Glenesk- infant school in Cranmore direction. Much more established.
Duke of Kent- much less academic, not selective but excellent pastoral care and seeing each child as an individual
Downsend- Leatherhead direction
Notre Dame- Cobham area
Danes Hill- Oxshott area
Rowan- Claygate area
Halstead- Woking
Hoe Bridge- Woking

and many many more depending where exactly you are.
Worth a look at Cranmore to see their plans but bear the other options in mind!

Thanks for all your comments; lots to think about. I've heard it's got amazing facilities and lots of space so I think I'll go to the next open day to get a feel.

I have a son at Cranmore and have been extremely happy with the school so far. Not very keen on it taking the girls up to 7 because I would have liked for it to remain a boys' school - there are not many of those in the area. However, DS is in the senior dept so this new development doesn't concern him much.