Cranleigh School

[JammieMummy]

Hi.
Currently looking at 13+ schools for my daughter. She is a bright girl who will give anything a go and get involved with it all. At her current prep school she is A team for netball and Cricket but B for other sports. She is in a competitive swim squad and trains 4 times a week. She sings (recently having a solo in a choir performance) and does some drama but more for her lack of confidence. She isn’t top of the class more of a very solid middle who has had a number of difficulties in life and therefore is a quiet and sensitive child.
She has mild ADHD and dyslexia which have only just been diagnosed.

We live just outside of Guildford and while the prep school think she could be capable of the selective girls School’s there I know the pressure would be too much for her. I really like the look (on paper) of Cranleigh but I don’t know anyone who currently has a child there and there are no uptodate threads on this board. Does anyone have any experience? We have an open day booked but I would like some insider info if possible.
Thank you in advance

Well I'd ask about bullying. I don't know about the girls but have heard stories about the boys but not that recently.
I don't know much about their music - the girls schools all seem to be stronger there. It has a reputation for being more sporty.
Would she be Day or Boarding?

My friends kid goes there and enjoys it, he moved from a prep where he was bullied and he has no issues there at all. He moved about two years ago. From what I understand from him he loves it.

Thank you both. We live 20 mins from the school so my heart says day girl, however I think that she would probably want to move to boarding within a few terms of starting.

I will ask about bullying and how they manage it (I don’t believe any school that says they don’t have bullying in their school)

My friends children go there , it's extortionate but she likes it .

Sounds like it might fit the bill. I would agree it sounds like the Guildford selective girls schools wouldn't be right for your DD.

Where else are you thinking of applying? Which year is she in at the moment?

St Cats may be good? St Cats is very structured and gets girls into a good routine, encourages all to have a go and often is surprisingly good for girls who need a bit of guidance and a push in the right direction. It has a house system so is great pastorally.

Charterhouse is going co-ed so may be worth a look but it seems more suited to the tougher child and weekly boarding from day one.

Have you looked at Churchers? King Edwards?

HyperHippo thank you for your response. We looke at Charterhouse but don’t want her to be one of the “test run” groups and I don’t think they are supportive or pastoral enough for DD. She is in year 4 and I was shocked to realise that even for 13+ schools we need to start the tours this year and have her name registered next year. It feels like it’s ages away!

Funnily it was the school that suggested St Cats and I have friends with girls there who say lots of good things but I am still worried about the pressure. May give it a proper look though.

Also considering Priors Field, Seaford College and have a tour booked with King Edwards I wasn’t that enamoured with it from the website but liked that it does the IB. I would welcome any recommendations.

(Christ’s Hospital was also suggested but it seems too far and perhaps not a good fit?!)

I only know of one girl that has gone there, so my knowledge is small. However she left pretty quickly, she was bright and sporty.

Have you looked at St Johns? Seems to be very popular with some bright girls that have gone there.

I agree on St John's too - it has really improved over the last few years and balances academics with pastoral well. It might be a good additional option similar to Cranleigh.

I agree re Charterhouse will have lots of work to do to appear 'pastoral' and girl-friendly IMO!

You have lots of time so don't worry. I would really consider St Cats - it is very supportive and tends to have pretty down to earth parents. The girls are really well looked after there and your DDs various sports and musical talents will be valued highly.

I'd personally avoid Priors Field based on what you said about your DD. I have a few friends who teach/taught there. I think your DD would find it lacks structure and it really isn't hugely academic. It is good if you have a child who is struggling who needs real nurture but it is quite 'free' and unless you shout and push your DD to go and get help they leave the girls to work things out for themselves and muddle along.The change in Head has led to it all slipping. It used to be brilliant for girls who needed a less academic, very supportive approach.

I'd also suggest St Catherine's, maybe the Royal? I know lots of people who have been happy with Farnborough Hill. And it's a pity if Priorsfield has changed.

Lots of food for thought. Thank you everyone.

A few questions about St Cats I thought you had to be really bright to be accepted there and that it was quite pressured? I have heard stories about having class rankings etc? DD is bright and a solid middle of the class not a top student more of a good all rounder (we are wondering if post ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis if she will pick up further or if it just means that she will learn techniques which make life easier for her).

Will look at St Johns which hasn’t been on my radar at all to date. Unfortunately Farnbrough Hill is too far for us to travel so not an option at all.

Just a quick additional question what do the kids wear to an open day? Do they wear their current school uniform or smart home clothes?

Generally private schools are finding it a little harder to recruit, especially out of London, so I would say give St Cats a shot. But your prep school head should be able to advise as it depends on your DDs cohort as to whether solid middle is St Cats level or not. Yes it is more academic but not compared to GHS or the top London girls schools.

Whichever you want for Open Day.

Cranleigh are not known for their SEN support so I would definitely ask about that. There has also been quite a drug problem there in recent years but it was mainly amongst older boys in boarding - there were exclusions. From what I understand there is a lot of weekend partying up in London (a friend's 14 year old recently got invited to one of these house parties). That said, I have a number of friends with children there who are happy with it and you will always have drug issues amongst very wealthy at boarding schools it is just important the school is on top of it. I have known a few teachers who worked there over the years who say there is a definite "entitled" attitude from a number of the kids but again you will get that at any school where the fees are £10k+ a term. The kids I know who go there generally seem (relatively) normal!

St Cat's I am surprised at some of the posts here, a number of friends and teachers I have spoken to say it is quite the pushy school these days, and there is a considerable snootiness amongst many of the mummies (one mum I recently spoke to said the mums in her daughter's class have been very unfriendly and snobby/judgemental towards her) but they are getting great results and the facilities are very good. I do know parents who have been very happy with the school so maybe go visit with an open mind?

St Johns - I know less about, Priorsfield - definitely less academic and I think has been struggling recently under poor management. St Theresa's - again less academic and going through semi-amalgamation with Cranmore so all a bit of a mess. St Edwards - I'm afraid I have heard nothing positive and the Royal school - I've heard are struggling (although this could be hearsay).

I hear very good things about Churchers and Tormead is very good if you want single sex, academic but more broad/less pushy than GHS/St Cat's, good with SEN -there are many with dyslexia and processing needs but overall facilities are limited (they use Surrey Sports Park for hockey, swimming etc) so it depends what your priorities are.

I would advise go visit lots of schools, ideally get shown around by the students and ask them what they think. You can tell a lot about a school from talking to the kids! Head teachers just give the marketing spiel.

Oh and on open days most children wear their current school uniform.

Hi Lovelyloopyluna,

Thank you so much for all the insight. I agree the issues you raise with Cranleigh are common amongst these sorts of schools. Friends with kids at similar schools all report them same issues. We want DD to have access to all the facilities that I think she would really make use of and hopefully the extra opportunities but they are concerns of mine.

Your take on St Cats is what I have heard but I will go and look. It will do no harm and we could be very pleasantly surprised.

I wouldn’t touch St Teresa’s I’m afraid. Lots of reasons it’s a no go for us and I’ve also heard that the Royal School are struggling but it’s not the right place for DD in any event. I’m not hearing much positive feedback about Priors Field and King Edwards. You are of course completely right about signing up for lots of open days and keeping an open mind. When there are so many “good schools” in the immediate area we must be able to fit at least two that would be a good fit...surely?!

I have heard mixed things about school uniform vs smart casual for the kids on open days. I understand uniform if it’s a week day but on a Saturday?! She is only coming to Cranleigh with us at the moment and that tour is on a Saturday.

It's tricky, isn't it. I know my comments are also going to contradict things said further up the post, but I guess that is why we have to go and see the schools and act on our own instinct.
I have a DC at one of the selective Guildford schools and one sitting 11+ currently. As well as my own experience I can also offer feedback from close friends who chose other local schools.
Unless something drastic has happened, St Cats was always known for being one of the more selective and pushy, trailing just behind GHS. I know reasonably bright daughters of friends who, despite being daughters of past Cats girls, were wait-listed or didn't get in. It is very much known for snobby parents (naturally not ALL will be) and I know at least four from their prep who are aiming for GHS rather than continue with the school. That said - it achieves great things, offers a traditional boarding experience and structure.

The idea that Priors Field is trailing and not academic is from times of old. No, it's not pushy selective, but compare the exam results for the last couple of years to Tormead and Farnborough Hill to see the factual picture. It is holistic and more nurturing, but I know of four very academic girls from my DC's prep who were offered St Cats or PF and took PF for the more rounded and nurturing approach. There are very bright girls there. I know these parents didn't consider GHS or Tormead because, while great schools, they are like London schools and not the 'countryside' boarding independent school experience (similar to Cranleigh) sitting in their own sports grounds and acres of fields.

I say that with a DC in one of the Guildford Schools, before I'm flamed. If you have sent your DCs to a Surrey prep 'out in the sticks' you are going to find schools like St Cats, PF and Cranleigh a more familiar set-up.
I didn't look at Cranleigh because of some of the reasons mentioned here. While two very dear friends have sent numerous children there recently, 'entitlement' is a real issue and a number of parents are the kind of parents who want to be seen sending their DC to Cranleigh, if that makes sense. However, on all accounts, a comfortable and nurturing school with strong sports - all the parents I know have been very happy.

Good luck!

Jammiemummy - why not St Teresa's? We looked round and liked it and it seems quite popular now

I second what has been said about Tormead.

IrisAnon. Thank you for your insight too. Every piece of feedback is valuable and I will bare it all in mind and then scramble my brain by visiting them all (and probably loving a lot of them). The reality is that the kids are so lucky to be able to go to any of these schools. You are right that we are looking for more of a “country feel” school. DD is a wellies and animals girl, she will give it all ago with exuberance and glee. If anything she is a bit too willing to please and would feel the pressure of certain schools more than most. I want her to enjoy her school days and get to experience as many things as possible.

Starlilly88 I’m not sure how much I should say on here about St T’s. Their new model is very concerning. It has been taken over as a business to make money and they really haven’t thought through how they are going to make their plans happen. It is in a complete state of flux at the moment and I know a number of parents who have pulled their children from there (and Cranmore the boys school that they are joining with). This combined with knowledge of the school playing favourites and an ability to buy achievements means it isn’t the place for us. DD will do whatever she is capable of and we will support her but she deserves to shine because she deserves to not because we have paid or are rubbing shoulders with the right people.

Jammiemummy - that's a shame about St T. I was really impressed with the new headmistress so maybe it might change? I'm not sure about joining the schools either though

I think unless you have a really strong feeling about a school, then most children will do well in any of these schools. Girls are lucky to have such a great choice. I've heard mixed things about St Cats - some love it and some have taken their girls out due to pressure. I'm making the school choice this year too !

Is Farnborough Hill too far? Quick train ride from Guildford and supposed to be very nurturing

Hi I’ve just seen this thread and noticed a couple of comments about King Edwards. We really liked this school on the open day, but don’t know anyone who has gone there, so I was wondering if anyone could expand a bit on their feedback please? Thanks.

I looked at st cats for my daughter, a few years ago now and it was very pressured then, and I declined to apply, and I say that as someone with a very academic daughter. I felt thr pastoral care was missing.

I also worked with a woman who was educated there and she was a royal pain in the backside. Proper Surrey princess but the stories she told me indicate that even in her time, it was highly pressurised, focused heavily on results, kids competing against each other, very cliquey and bitchy girls, and sadly also what the parents did ie did the family fit rather than could they afford it. Don't know if it is still the same.

Busily trying to find as much information as possible before making our decision between St Cats and Tormead. I have read a few worrying things about St Cats. What else should I know ?

Bullying is a great problem in this school