Esher/Hampton Preps

[Landladymews2]

Hi

I was previously looking to move to Hampton and thinking of sending my son to Hampton to Pre-Prep and daughter to Jack&Jill followed by LEH juniors if she got in. Looking at houses in Hampton it seems like what we are after is slightly out of budget whereas we would be able to find such a house in Esher/Hinchley Wood and I like the fact that these areas are better for commuting.

From my research it seems like Millbourne Lodge and Rowan are academic prep schools in Esher but I’m not able to get a good feel for what the main destination schools are from the way they have layed them out. Millbourne just has a general list without numbers and Rowan sets out numbers of offers. I feel like sending them to Hampton/ LEH feeder schools might be better but maybe I’m not sure so i would love to hear thoughts on feeders?

I’m also open to hearing suggestions for other areas to look at for good preps (bearing in mind we want to move not too far from Chiswick and Carshalton where our parents live and our budget is 1.25 for a 4 bed house (which must have a large garden and be detached according to DH ). Ideally we would love somewhere that has a great co-ed prep and good secondary options too but as the co-ed prep options generally seem less academic I’m not so sure.

Would love any advice. Thanks!

Hello, I'm familiar with all these preps. Rowan/Claygate is on the Guidlford train line and K3 bus route, this means dd can get to both Guildford High/Tormead/Surbiton High/Kingston Grammar easily on public transport. To go to LEH seniors you need to take the school coach. Hence more dd living in Claygate tend to go to Guildford High/Tormead etc.
LEH Seniors has a massive catchment as reflected by the coach map so your dd doesn't need to go to a feeder prep to make friends for senior school.

Beware of the traffic, it's very slow to cross at Hampton Court but many ds do it for years.

Re M

Sorry posted too early.
Re Milbourne, beware the age 11 or 13 exit for ds although in a few years time this is bound to change as age 13 exit gets less popular.
The whole Esher area is full of great preps, fast trains and good primary schools. Do note at 11 most secondary private schools takes @ 50% from the state sector.

The Hampton trains are much slower as have probably seen.

@Skatingpark97 Thank you so much! I’ll look into those schools that you mentioned as I know very little about them apart from Surbiton High and Kingston Grammar which I remember from my school days were not very academic. I don’t know much about Guildford High or Tormead so will look into them. Looking at Rowan’s destinations for last year not many had offers from LEH seniors so it doesn’t seem to be a popular destination from this school.

Do you know if there are any particular schools that Millbourne boys tend to go to or does it vary a great deal?

I like the feeder school aspect with Hampton Prep and LEH Juniors but I know a lot depends on whether the children are the right fit. If we go for these schools the school runs will involve a bit of a drive from Esher until they are about 7 and ready for the bus. I think you’re right that the traffic around Hampton Court can be quite bad and this is what’s worrying me a bit. According to the school bus timetable it takes half an hour. I don’t know if I will end up regretting that and wishing I had put them in more local preps. Lots to consider!

If you move to Esher/HW put them in local preps with local friends and move them at 11 to the Hampton area schools. Milbourne feeds all over the place but for boys at age 13 the options are more limited so don't let that guide you re a house/ prep for a small child.
If you do want to go for the Esher area and drive to Hampton then move north of the Scilly Isles roundabout and also spend the next 2 days looking at the morning traffic on google maps (Hampton and LEH break up for Easter this coming wed).

@Skatingpark97 Thank you all so helpful. I think you’re right that the local prep school options might be best.

It seems like living in Claygate would be a better option for the Guildford secondary schools as they don’t seem to have their own bus network and public transport from Hinchley Wood/Esher to Guildford doesn’t seem great?

I think there is a direct train from HW to Guildford and you can drive your dd to the Tormead Esher bus stop.
But yes if you live in Claygate the Guildford secondaries are popular.
If you live near Esher station LEH and Hampton are popular too via the school bus.

Also check out Shrewsbury House Pre Prep in Esher which then feeds into their Prep school in Ditton. I would say don’t make any decisions without visiting the schools in person and meeting the teachers / seeing how they operate. My opinion very much changed on schools after visiting each several times over.
Traffic is a nightmare throughout this area in the morning. Hence I would find the right house which then drives your school choice. There are no shortage of good schools.