help selecting a school !!!!

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Hi everyone.. we have 2 little girls and we are moving to Surrey in September. We have just 3 days to decide on a school. The three schools that we found places for both of them are St. Theresas in effingham, Manor House and Banstead preparatory school. Any insight would be greatly appreciated as we are leaving abroad the last two years, and before that in inner London. Also thoughts/ experiences on single sex school vs. mixed... thank you in advance...

I would go with a same sex school, your children can concentrate more and they form more meaningful relationships with their peers. I think its great for prep school.

Banstead prep is a relatively new school following mergers and closures. There are also Aberdour and Chinthurst in same area.

Where would you be living? Downsend and CLFS are just north of Leatherhead too, both coed.

Thanks Liz. We thought to decide on the school first and then find a home. We looked around to some other schools as well.. some we liked a lot they didn't have places..
Thanks blueCanvas for your answer as well.. I am a bit skeptical about same sex schools. My 4 year old plays a lot with boys.. at the moment her best friends are boys, so I was wondering if she will be devastated not having the option..

Please don't choose a same-Sex school for primary! I teach 4 year olds and they mix so much and benefit from it greatly :)

Thanks for your input peterpanwendy. I come from a country with no same sex schools but I am aware that it is very common in England.

Do what ever is best for your child, if they like playing with the opposite sex then mixed but if they find them annoying and distracting then same sex is for you.

Okay. Do you definitely want private schools?
If not State schools may not have a place but Surrey County Council (assuming you move Surrey not the Greater London areas) will have to find you a school place once you get here and can make a school give you a place if they decide it's necessary even if the school is full.
In Effingham area I do think private at Primary age can be a bit of a waste.
Have you considered Cranmore which is becoming co-Ed?
St Theresa's is very rural, quite nice but very much an alternative to the most sought after girls schools. Manor House is very small, and at Secondary level has been a bit limited (the only private girls school which offered Child Care around the area).
They are both all through schools so don't prepare for other secondary schools.
I don't know Banstead at all.

I come from a country with no same sex schools but I am aware that it is very common in England.
Only for private schools - it's very rare to have single sex state primary schools.

There are increasingly fewer girls schools, especially at primary age.

I want to thank everyone once more for the inputs.. It's such a difficult decision and a lot to consider. Bekabeech, I have to double check my notes but I think Cranmore, either didn't have places or it was closed the week I was visiting the schools. We decided to start with a private school and take it from there.. St. Marys, Micklefield, Caterham, Hawthorns, Downsend and Chinthurst were some on our list too.

You are looking at a selection of schools up to half an hour apart! Where do you hope to live , small children need to be fairly local, is commuting involved and where has space for both. Do you want one which takes them through to secondary, a prep to 13, sporty, musical etc

Good points Lizs. We had a look at different schools/areas as we decided to first find the school and then find a place to live fairly local. My husband is commuting and I am a stay at home mom. Take them through secondary is not a must... Having space for both was crucial.. Our eldest (4) is a sporty little girl, very talented in arts and academically advanced for her age (for now).. , the little one(2) is too little to tell.. so we were looking for a well rounded school as a starting point.. eventually will have a better understanding of the areas, their needs, our needs, etc.

Which station is he needing to commute into?

He needs to get to Canada water

Have you considered St George’s Junior School in Weybridge. It’s co-educational, in my opinion offers a very well rounded education and is very friendly. Both my boys went there from nursery age and were very happy and did well (one very academic and one less so). Weybridge is a nice place to live and your husband could commute from Weybridge to Waterloo (30-40 mins) then switch straight on to the Jubilee Libe which would take him to Canada Water.

London Bridge would also get you straight on to Jubilee Line. Bear in mind that both SW and Southern trains are sporadically disrupted by disputes. There are also consultations ongoing about the future of direct services, which probably rules out Reigate for example.

Good to know Lizs.. thx.. will pass info to my husband and also have a look at the school Mummimoochkins. Thank you..

I have two girls at Banstead Prep. Both are really enjoying it. My youngest in reception especially loves the Forest School and yoga that are part of the curriculum. As two working parents - we really appreciate the wrap around care before and after school as well.

So glad to hear that Chris303 !!!!!! We also decided to send them at Banstead, so we might be classmates next year.. my oldest is in reception :) Thank you SO much for your message. We finalised our decision yesterday so it was such a great surprise
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Hello, it's sounds like you have made a great choice. My daughter is in reception at Banstead Prep, we have been very happy with the school so far. So pleased we moved our youngest daughter into the nursery this January and she is thriving. I'm sure you will be happy with your decision.

Thank you littlemissmorris...!!!!!!! It's so exciting now.. Our little one turns 3 in August... she started going to nursery in September and she absolutely LOVES school!!! She gets so much love and attention.. they are doing amazing work.. it's like her home away from home.. I am very anxious how she will adjust to the new nursery and it will be a big change for her (as we moved abroad after her birth) so it's very important for me to hear that your youngest is thriving...

How lovely, my youngest will be 3 at the end of June, they will both be in the same class. Look forward to meeting you and your two girls x

Excellent!!!!!! Look forward to meeting you too!!! xxx

I would ask questions about how long they have been open as a school.
Banstead Prep is new and they treated their pupils there disgracefully when they closed it as Greenacre School for Girls, very recently.
Prior to being Banstead Prep it was a girls' school. It was taken over by United Learning who then closed it be become Banstead Prep. My DD was there and one January, they took the term's fees then followed by an email stating that the school was closing! We had to search quickly for another school! All the girls were in tears and upset for a very very long time! United Learning were just interested in business and making money!
Not much time to sort the children and no offer of refunds on fees - United Learning was all about the money - be careful!