Relocating to Haslemere - advice on independent schools in the area

[betsybo]

We're in the process of relocating to Haslemere from SW London. Could anyone give me some advice on what the best co-ed independent schools are in the area? We have a boy in year 3, a girl in year 2 and a baby who will follow them in due course. We want somewhere with an emphasis on pastoral care but can support them academically without being a hot house. All thoughts greatly appreciated!

There are loads of options - St Ives is just off Haslemere High Street, Amesbury and St Edmunds in Hindhead, Brookham and Highfield and Churchers Junior in Liphook, Churchers Senior is in Petersfield. All these schools are mixed. A little further afield there’s St Hilary’s in Godalming which has begun taking boy in Year 3 this academic year. There’s also The Royal School in Hindhead which seems to be going through lots of change at the moment. Seaford near Petworth would potentially be another option from Haslemere. I have personal experience of St Hilary’s, Churchers Junior/ Senior and Brookham and Highfield and have friends with kids at the other schools (except the Royal currently). PM me if I can help. We also live in Haslemere

You will be spoiled for choice!

Children from Haslemere also go to Barrow Hills in Witley (Catholic), Frensham Heights, Bedales and King Edward's Witley.

I don't have personal experience of any of these schools as my children went to a state primary and then a girls school at 11, but I know lots of people who have, or had, children there or at some of the schools mentioned by Lara53. I would say the parents I know who are happiest with their choices had children at St Ives (girls), St Ed's (boys), Frensham Heights (both), Bedales (both) and Amesbury (both, but longer ago).

Any ideas what sort of school you would want them to go to at 11+/13+? Obviously it is a while away but what would you hope for?

Ideas on this will help inform what might be best. There is a great range of schools which aren't too tricky to get into (population of kids isn't high around here and all the schools generally have space).

For example:

If you want a more public school (often 13+) then places like Amesbury, Highfield & Brookham, Aldro (boys), Edgeborough
If you want smaller nurturing then Barrow Hills feeds King Edwards now, Royal has its own juniors, St Eds goes all the way through.
If you want RGS/GHS/St Cats then St Ive's, Amesbury ...or think about going up the A3 to Lanesborough, St Cats Prep, GHS Juniors, Churcher's prep (these will be the hardest to get into and don't generally fit your 'not a hot house' criteria)

If you want to keep options open then I would go for St Ive's, Amesbury, St Hilary's, Highfield & Brookham and possibly Barrow Hills.

I personally would avoid The Royal, Longacre and St Ed's.

PolkaPenguin can I ask why you would avoid St Ed’s and Longacre? We are deliberating on Amesbury, St Ed’s and Longacre and really liked them all 😬 No idea where we would be looking at for senior school so it’s a tough decision! Thanks

Will pm you for full detail.

St Ed's because of the senior department. It would make me worry about 11+ choices and preparation. It is also known as being much less academic and small in the senior part especially which wouldn't be my aim for a senior school, unless my child needed huge amounts of extra support.

Thanks PolkaPenguin

Interested to hear what you think of Longacre too as I think it’s the only school in the area to be in the top 100 schools. So hard to know!

I sent a great big long PM. Just wanted to check you got it ok?

Lara53 is that a PM to me?

As a Longacre parent I'd be very happy to answer any questions or respond to any concerns about Longacre?

Thanks so much ilovedaffodils- if your could message me any thoughts I would really appreciate it 😊

Would be interested as to why user above dismissed St. Ed's so readily especially as it seems the information she has on the school is both old and out-dated. Both my children are at St.Ed's and are flying high & loving every minute of it. My first child has successfully gained a scholarship to his senior school, and second child overly achieving in both her music & sport thanks to the staff. The Senior School is smaller compared to the larger institutions in the area but it fills a missing niche perfectly. It's a day school, co-Ed & offers every opportunity any other senior school offers. It is not a through school (as my number one child demonstrates) & it's last three years of GCSE results are fantastic. If I were you, I wouldn't base your important decision on biased hear say on this forum, visit the schools yourself & make up your own mind as every child, parent & school are different. Good luck!

Thanks for this info - I have to say have gone over and over it and visited a few schools at least a couple of times but we love St Edmund’s. We weren’t expecting to (no idea why?) and it totally threw our list of preferences up in the air and is now very much top of our list. Great to hear such a good review- thank you!

so glad to hear this! I love the school as do my incredibly happy children!

Have sent you a PM user1476310972

Another personal recommendation for St Eds from a current parent here. Small nurturing classes with plenty of opportunity for adventure and fun alongside a solid education. I cannot recommend it enough.

Have you had a look at Brookham and Highfield? I can't recommend it enough. My 3 are all there yr 4, yr 2 and nursery and are all extremely happy. The school has excellent facilities, stunning grounds with lots of outside learning and great pastoral care. I also love being part of the community there and always have felt very welcome.
The sport is excellent and with a new full sized astro pitch just being completed it is set to improve. Swimming is outstanding ( With a Gala every week and high level coaching, i don't think they have lost a Gala this year). Mine are all very musical and we all enjoy a lot of music events and extremely high level of music teaching.
I could continue but obviously you need to look at a few schools to decide what is the right fit for your family but we are very happy so I would definitely recommend that you put Highfield and Brookham on the list. Good luck

Hi betsybo, can I ask which school you ended up choosing? We’re in a similar position at the moment, relocating to Haslemere over this summer. The school decision is all the more harder as due to Covid, opportunities to look around schools have been limited so any first hand advice would be much appreciated! Our children are girls looking to go into first and fourth years. Thanks.

Also in a similar position but actually relocating home after 7 years in the US. Torn between Seaford college and Amesbury at the moment.... both seem great but obviously different in that one is All the way through school and other up til 13. Would appreciate any up to date thoughts on these schools. Many thanks