Guildford Schools- independent

[GoldieStar]

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone can help me regarding independent schools in Guildford.

I am in the process of applying to independent schools for my son and daughter and wondered what people thought about Lanesborough for my son and GHS/ St. Catherine's for my daughter. We are coming from afar with not much knowledge of the area, but will be moving for personal reasons.

I understand both are academic and wondered exactly how academic Lanesborough, especially is. We are keen for the children to still have a 'life' and not be secretly tutored etc on the side and all the things I have heard about independent schools there. Are there any recommendations for/against the girl's school?

Lanesborough does not seem to feature in any league tables or anything so it is hard to judge where it compares with other independent boys schools in the area, but we understand it to be one of the better ones. Obviously, the fact it is run through is not ideal but then is there any good run through boys school there at all?

Lots of questions and literally any help will be appreciated. We were impressed by all the schools when we visited but want to make sure we are making the right decision. Is traffic a nightmare there in the mornings?

I have looked at previous threads on this but want the uptodate info if possible. Anything would be appreciated,

Thanks!

Just to clarify in case of confusion: despite the name Reigate Grammar is a private school, not a state grammar school.

Yes, Reigate grammar is good, and academically probably the best co-ed option in the area.

League tables are obviously only one factor to take into account when considering schools, and a controversial factor at that, but to give you a feel, in last year’s Sunday Times top independent secondary school tables, GHS was 9th, Royal Grammar Guildford 37th (much lower than it has been in the past), Reigate Grammar 48th (its best ever) and St Catherines Bramley 51st.

My family is relocating to Guildford from Switzerland and looking at the same schools. We've had some wonderful meetings with enthusiastic staff from Tormead, while GHS have been a bit less available. As we're overseas at present, we've not been able to go visit either of the schools, though perhaps with COVID neither have you!
What have your impressions of GHS and Tormead been?

Tormead staff are great, very engaged. Always enthusiastic with all their endeavours. In normal times there is always lots going on. One example is Mr Isaacs, he runs Kytos Biology, which is public domain, and Mr I explains on You Tube and Spotify. Look him up.

Tormead teachers are always very engaging and available, that’s not just for show to get you in. Such a warm, lovely place. How old are your children, which years will they be joining @vanessahe

Cranmore has a lot of mixed reviews currently, I’ve seen quite a lot on here about the merger being a bit of a mess. So I would just recommend doing a fair old bit of research into them. GHS and tormead were my favoured schools - all about which style your daughter would prefer. I have friends with boys at lanesborough and they’ve spoken really highly. It’s a small school and I think they do well to get the boys up to a good standard without pressurising.

Yikes. There is so much information to think about and you all have given so much useful info from experiences also. It seems like the schools are very over subscribed for this year so probably the same next year. Presumably a lot of people are hedging their bets because they can't view schools perhaps

@GoldieStar, having done the Lanesborough to St Cats run, I wouldn't recommend it. It commits you to getting through the Guildford one-way system at rush-hour, which can be absolutely dire.

I don't know much about the St Cats junior school, although local parents generally seem enthusiastic about it. I do have direct experience of St Cats senior school and there is much to recommend it, including facilities, results, music and high aspirations. However, we and our cohort of parents found the pastoral care to be inconsistent and sub-standard. We also had strong reservations about the leadership and I suspect that was a significant factor in the school's poor Covid response.

If I had my time again, I would definitely consider a co-ed school. The options around central Guildford are very limited, but Reigate Grammar is very possible from Dorking.

Reigate grammar definitely seems like a good option for secondary school. Its what to do before then! I do wish Tormead were in the league tables as it would be far easier to compare although its not all about that it helps eg deciding between cats and tormead (presuming boy will go to Lanesborough)- then in terms of drop offs tormead makes so much more sense but its absence on league tables makes it so much harder to gauge its academics. However, from what most people have said it seems to be quite good anyway.
I think I should take a look at Oxbridge leavers as well I suppose. I wish there were rankings for pastoral care!! 😀😀rankings make things much easier but I suppose can be very skewed and non representative really. Grrr its so difficult.

@GoldieStar, reading back upthread, I can see that your children are still in Reception. I do think it may be a bit early to worry about Oxbridge statistics. Based on our experience, there is just so much that can happen between Reception and 18, that it is almost impossible to chose a school now that will definitively suit your child all the way to uni. I think the best you can do is choose a school that feels right for your child for the current stage (y1 to y6) and offers a feasible path, should it go on being the right school.

In terms of stats, I think St Cats and Tormead are broadly equivalent at GCSE and A level, with Tormead possibly pulling ahead at A level. However, 12 years is a very, very long time in a child's life and a school's life so, as they say on the bottom of investment advertising, current performance does not give an indication of future returns!

Following with interest, my son is due to begin Lanesborough year 3 next September, although we haven't yet given notice to his current prep. @Lanesboroughmum how are you finding the new head? Have things changed much? It's my only reservation.

Well done ippydappy! Its a very nerve wracking time isn't it? My friend has hers starting year 2 next year as well and says the head so far has been very impressive as have the whole team in communication.

Also folllowing this with interest as we will be moving to the area. I wonder if local parents would be able to comment on the differences between Aldro and Lanesborough. Are they viewed on a par academically? And what kind of boys do they attract? Thanks!

Lanesborough is town, academic all-boys with 11+ exit to RGS, St. John's, reeds, freemen's, churchers etc. Does a great job with all sorts of boys, including the geeky bookaholic or less sporty boy. Got a good playing field and near to facilities like Stoke park and the spectrum.
Aldro is a country prep with 13+ exit to mainly boarding schools like charterhouse, Wellington etc, few to day schools. It is now co-Ed. Always used to be very much letting boys be boys- whether that be the sports mad boy, the quieter etc but naturally is a bit more country rough and tumble. Will probably change a bit with girls added.

Both are amazing schools IMO! Just depends what you want in the longer term.

I went to St Cats.

All I can say is I truly hope they've overhauled the pastoral care.

Very useful comments again. The comparison with Lanesborough and Aldro is so interesting and I wasn't aware of the leavers being boarders etc which would be important with regards to choice for secondary school in that respect. I like the idea of it being quite country rough and tumble as that's great for boys and girls. The site does look amazing as well. Is it difficult to access with morning and evening traffic? All I've heard recently is that Lanes is no longer considered an RGS feeder which is also important but who knows where they'll end up by then?!

Lanesborough is just as much an RGS feeder. It just no longer does 13+. It was never guaranteed or that a very high % or the absolute majority went to RGS, just that it sends more to RGS than any other prep and works closely with RGS so is a natural transition.

I sent my DS there and saw it that if RGS was right, then that was great but also if not, and a different school would've suited my DS better then Lanesborough is still excellent in its own right and I knew from there my DS would end up wherever works best for him.