Non-Selective or All-through Independent Schools in Surrey

[wordlymama]

Hello, we are relocating from California to Surrey and am looking for good Independent schools for my DD and DS. They will both be starting in nursery and reception grades. Since it is too early to know their academic strengths when the time comes to sit their 11+ or 13+ exams, I am trying to find schools in the area that are either non-selective or more preferably all-through Nursery to Grade 12 schools for Boys/Girls/Co-ed.

For selective type schools, we have narrowed down to Reigate St Mary's or Chinthurst, for potential feeder school Reigate Grammer. But are also open to others.

We will be finding homes around the schools - so the school choices will determine our home areas.

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

HawleyHurst, Micklefield and Belmont are non-selective

Thank you so much Ricekrispie22. Are there any related high schools for those schools that children go through to?

Thank You so much for your help.

Is this for entry this year? If so I would make preliminary calls to find out availability, the most popular schools simply may not have spaces for both as term is about to start. Due to covid you may get lucky with kids being pulled but anecdotally I know of people scrambling to get private ed places because their online offering was so much better just in case if a second wave.

Hawleyhurst shut down by the way!

I would look at the non selective prep schools - Ripley Court, Feltonfleet, Greenfield, Cranmore (I wouldn't recommend but have a look), St Hilarys, Hoe Bridge. All through schools you are missing Cranleigh. The area has a lot of girls only through schools so you will find many of the prep schools boy heavy.

You could also look at Royal Russell (just inside Greater London) or Caterham (both all through with extensive grounds). Ewell Castle is also an option but has a reputation for being less academic. If you wanted an all around prep, Banstead Prep could be an option.

I don’t know how long you plan on staying but the international school in Cobham (as well as the Cobham area) are popular with American expats.

Oh, and Claremont Fan Court is another all through coed option with lovely grounds.

Chinthurst is a fantastic school. DC is very happy there and doing so well. Parents are very friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend the school.

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate all the advice given.

We are looking to enroll our children to start in September 2021. And they would be starting in Reception and Nursery.

I'll definitely look into those schools mentioned in the responses above. Thank you so much once again!

@catscakeandchocolate Chinthurst is actually one of the schools we were seriously considering if we were to go down the selective independent school route or non-through schools. I believe their "senior school" is Reigate Grammer and our kids may or may not need to sit exams based on their school results leading up to Year 5.

This is very helpful to know you have good experiences with this school.
Thank You!

ACS cobham and have an American education is another option.

Both Chinthurst and Reigate St Mary's are junior schools of Reigate Grammar. The majority of their children get a green light to go onto RGS without doing the entrance exam. Not so sure that the experience of being at one of those is so great if you either decide RGS isn't for you or you don't get the green light and have to prepare to go elsewhere. Nice though not to do the exam.

Other local Preps like Micklefield (Reigate) and Hawthorns (Bletchingly) also send children to RGS as well as some Guikdford schools too. They also send lots to Dunnottar too in Reigate which is a popular alternative and has a wider academic range, so suits lots including those who might not get into the Grammar. Some prefer to go to one of those schools which will prepare for a range of schools (Micklefireld mostly for Reigate schools, Hawthorns probably a broader range of secondaries geographically including boarding schools) because their child's ability isn't clear T the start and the family may still be undecided about secondary plans. But then they do have to do the exam and all won't get in....but they all find themselves somewhere in the end and most seem to find the place that is right for them. I'm not sure being too dead set in a certain secondary when a child is 4 is a great idea as who knows what they will turn out like, but I do think that if you are able to pay, there are lots of good schools and there will be somewhere right for your child that you'll probably be happy with, even if it's not the place you had in mind when they were a baby.

I'm sure the online open days are happening at all of them and there might be chances to visit in person as time goes on, so hopefully you'll get to visit. Schools do change as well. Some rise and some decline a bit. New Heads seem to make a big difference. I'd watch out for any tiny Prep schools because a lot seem to be being taken over or going bust. Covid hasn't helped.

I can unequivocally recommend St Hilary's Godalming. I've had 3 girls there from nursery to Yr 6 and it is a very warm school that the children love, and they have gone on to good senior schools. (PS I'm American too).

Meadowood
I too was a big St Hils fan but have noticed more and more girls leaving for Priors Field. Which is fine if you are OK with Priors Field but it is quite a specific type of gentle, easy-going senior girls' school and I sense girls are being pushed to go there from St Hils. It is less selective than other Surrey girls' schools and a shame the wide range of St Hils leavers' destinations have been lost.

City of London Freemen’s is a lovely school but might be selective.

I can highly recommend Tormead in Guildford. Great school that takes a broad intake and gets good results. We felt a lot of, very good, value add for our girls. They have a lovely junior school and we’re always really supportive and pastorally focused on the girls, whilst encouraging them to do their best. It’s reception through to sixth form. So might be what you’re after for your DD. Lanesborough for boys is just next door. Good luck!

I can highly recommend The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley. Both my children have thrived there! I know they send a lot of children to Reigate Grammar School, many with scholarships. RGS is a great school, but it's highly academically selective, so isn't going to be right for a lot of children and it's tricky to know at this stage how academically able your children are going to be. A key part in our decision making was that we wanted a school that would support us getting into a senior school that is right for each of our children, and there is a huge amount of support in that respect and a lot of fantastic senior schools in the area to choose from. I've also been aware of a significant number of children joining The Hawthorns from Reigate St Mary's. Good luck with your search and the big move. It's a lovely area!

@trinity0097 , @WombatChocolate , @Meadowood , @OfficialLurker , @Strandguildford , @SurreyK

Thank you so very much to everyone that responded to my question above! It is so helpful to hear all your opinions!

I completely agree that it is hard to tell from such a young age how my children will be by the time they sit their 11+ exams. I have also heard that RGS is a very academically inclined school, and I really just want to make sure we place our children in Prep schools that will nurture their strengths and prepare them for the school that is right for them. The last thing I'd want is to pressure my children to get into the wrong school and it adversely affect their learning abilities.

I will definitely reach out to the schools you have all mentioned above and request virtual tours.

Once again, I cannot thank you all enough! It is so helpful to hear your advice.

Also, lastly - we were recommended Kingswood House Prep School by a family friend living in Surrey. I heard they have recently become Co-Ed, and was wondering what any of your thoughts were on this school.

Thank you!!!

Kingswood House is certainly very non selective!

@trinity0097
Thank you for the information. Does that mean they're similar to the Hawthorn type schools?

A significant number move from Hawthorns to Caterham atm, head has sent his dc there. Although most popular destinations fluctuate between Caterham, RGS, Dunnotar , a few go to Epsom, Hurst, Ardingly, Box Hill, St Johns LH, Tonbridge etc. Hawthorns currently goes up to year 8/age 13 while at others they move to senior at end year 6/age 11. However even "non selectives" will often ask to meet dc or invite them to a taster session to see how they behave.

Stay well clear of Tormead. They do not deal with bulky issues. I’d highly recommend GHS.

@LatinSisters

Stay well clear of Tormead. They do not deal with bulky issues. I’d highly recommend GHS.

What is a bulky issue?

@LIZS Thank you so much for this information. I looked up Caterham because I noticed they had a prep-school that feed into the senior school, but it seems their entrance criteria is quite rigorous too (like some of the other selective private schools in the area). I have requested a virtual tour with the school still, to feel it out. Like other's have mentioned above, it is difficult to know a child's strengths and academic inclinations when they are so young, so I just want to make sure I am providing my kids with a well rounded school that will help them nurture their strengths whichever way they go.

Thank you once again for your advice!

@LatinSisters I had the same question as @Strandguildford - What is "Bulky Issues"

Thank you