Looking for recommendations for independent schools in Surrey

[Identifyasknackered]

Morning all! Will be relocating to the south of England (from Scotland) but given the timescales I’m looking at private schools. I’m a total private school novice having been lucky enough to live in good state school catchments but the English system is new to me; most good state schools seem to be either oversubscribed or CoE and I don’t want our location to be dictated to by good state schools (been there and ended up living in an area we really loathed). Two DDs, eldest will be Y7 by Sep-22, the youngest Y6. House search is 10 mile radius from Reigate. I wouldn’t be looking for uber-competitive, hot-houses type schools. Just really solid schools that help the children reach their maximum potential in a positive environment. I would say both girls are healthily competitive and are upper-middle when it comes to academic achievement; classically one excels at maths whilst the other excels at the arts. Both girls sporty, musical, like drama, etc. I’d just say they are quite well-rounded. I’d be a fan of sending them to all-girls schools but they’d prefer co-ed so we’ll look at both. Any recommendations really welcome!

Oh just to add, one DD is ridiculously extrovert and confident, the other more shy but gains confidence once she warms up.

Will you apply and sit exams now as part of the main 11+ process even though you are not based here

Caterham? Don't know it well, but have heard others speak quite highly of it.

Have a look at the gdst schools - your nearest would be Wimbledon and Sutton, maybe Croydon. There’s also Dunnottar nearby.

Copthorne is extending from being just a prep school to GCSE from this year onwards so both your girls could join together. Lovely family feel, lots of great sport and drama and extra curricular options. High standards but not hot-housey.

Hi, yes was planning on going through the full application process. Timing isn’t ideal, having to make decisions before we’ve actually moved but with so many application deadlines looking I feel this is the route I have to take…?

Thanks! So that would be up to 16 years then?

Thanks, that’s on the list. I’ve also heard good things about Belmont and Hawthorns?

@Identifyasknackered

Hi, yes was planning on going through the full application process. Timing isn’t ideal, having to make decisions before we’ve actually moved but with so many application deadlines looking I feel this is the route I have to take…?

@Lockdowndramaqueen sorry forgot to go you in my reply. I’m bloody hopeless at this!

@Identifyasknackered

Thanks! So that would be up to 16 years then?

@LouisaDurrell also didn’t tag you in my reply! 🙈

@Identifyasknackered

Thanks, that’s on the list. I’ve also heard good things about Belmont and Hawthorns?

@bluedart thanks, didn’t tag you in my reply 🙄 first time user!

@1forward2back thanks very much

Hawthornes is only until 13 but has a good reputation. Depends if you want co-Ed or single sex.
Woldingham is slightly out of 10 miles but may suit both? Has boarders and day pupils.
Reigate grammar (not a grammar in traditional sense but private) has lots of opportunities but seems to be labelled as a hot house
Caterham has a mix of day and boarding pupils has a prep school which feeds through so places can be limited to new entrants.
Lingfield college, box hill, St. John's, Epsom college are all other localish schools.

Sorry woldingham may suit both dds.
You mention Dunottar - there has been good and not so good. Lots of building work going on, and also lots of rumours of bullying and families removing children.

@Bellie99 thanks very much, a few new names there for me to look into. RGS being labelled as a hot-house, would you say that’s unfair or pretty accurate? Interesting re Dunottar… I’d be a fan of single sex but as the girls are used to co-ed they’d probably disagree. How many schools do parents tend to apply to (hedging their bets)?

As with all hot houses, if your child is doing well it's fantastic but if your child is struggling not so good. They do have a prep school which they used to tell children in year 4 if they were going to be suitable for the senior school or not, but not sure if that is still the case.

People usually sit 3 entrance exams IMO, but it has been known that some sit 5 or 6. Reigate grammar and Caterham tend to be the 'top tier' although St. John's seems to be coming up on the rails. Dunottar, box hill, Lingfield seem to be back up choices.
Dunottar used to be single sex until 5 or 6 years ago (almost closed) but now is attracting a large section from the state primaries. Seems to have almost ignored girls in favour of boys and all you see on social media is boys sport, boys sport and boys sport.

@Bellie99 thanks, super helpful :) That’s Dunottar off the list 😒 Have you heard anything positive about Belmont? They certainly seem to be saying all the right things in their ethos…happy child, thriving children, etc.

@Identifyasknackered sorry not much about Belmont I'm afraid. Only know that Head has been there forever and ever and it's not the easiest school to get to!

Hi there, yes, Copthorne is going all the way to 16 in future.

@Bellie99 thanks again; lots to mull over.

@LouisaDurrell thanks

Surbiton. Isn't St John's boys only? Know lots of boys who have been. What's Frensham Heights like now?

Note Dame, Cobham; Epsom College?

@RosesAndHellebores appears to be taking girls now by the looks of their website .Thanks for those suggestions; will check them out.

Know lots of somewhat beta boys who have had very positive experiences at St John's. Know nothing of any girls at St John's.