Looking for recommendations for independent schools in Surrey

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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!

I think st John's has been taking girls for about 4 years? Not sure though.

I think St Johns is coed throughout now, since 2011.

Just to add my experience - most parents seem to do 2 or 3 schools. staying local to reigate, it's common to do RGS with Dunnotar as back up but dunnotar are obvs not happy with this and from this year are having their exam and acceptance before Christmas - before RGS have had their exams. not sure how that will work for dunnotar! If your girls are sporty note that dunnotar is lacrosse and netball while RGS is hockey and netball. Caterham is fighting to keep up the reputation of RGS and is as hard to get into.
My daughter is in year 8 at RGS and I've not got the hot house vibes - maybe they save it for later but it's been very manageable so far and always seems to be a reason to not have any - start of term, end of term etc and not had any holiday homework yet - they say they want them to rest. They had a week of revision lessons before the summer exams so she did barely anything at home. She is very happy there! Have friends who are equally happy with caterham, Woldingham and Dunnottar.

@LIZS

I think St Johns is coed throughout now, since 2011.

Wow. 10 years!!

Thanks @SurreyMum117 ; really helpful

@SurreyMum117 not that their sports would dictate but just so happens they play hockey and netball at the mo’. Which are the most successful feeders to RGS? My youngest would be year 6.

The obvious ones are Reigate St Marys or Chinthurst which are part of same group, but Micklefield , Aberdour and Hawthorns both send a number of pupils there at 11+, Aberdour and Hawthorns also at 13+.

And all also feed Caterham, St Johns , Epsom et al. RSM(not sure re. Chinthurst) pupils don't have to take 11+ exam to RGS but RGS do have a reputation for wheedling out at gcse, Reigate Sixth Form College being a popular destination.

The children come from all over, state and private. .... from what I understand Reigate st Mary's children don't have to sit the exam but are asssesed throughout the year instead (you get a few children leaving RSM in Year 5 to go to other preps for Yr 6 for exam prep for the RGS exam or other schools). I think Chinhurst is the same but not 100% sure. My daughter to Hawthorns and it's certainly looked on a good feeder by RGS.

Thanks @LIZS thanks @SurreyMum117 Hawthorns does look lovely; seems nurturing and what a location. I wonder if I’d be better to seek out prep schools that go to 13 to allow us to get the lay of the land once we are there? Rather than trying to second guess everything…

You may want to check the ratio of boys to girls in year 7 and 8 at Hawthorns. Since they withdrew from Common Entrance the number staying to 13+ has declined overall and it has traditionally been more boy heavy post 11+. It can particularly affect team sports which may be important to your dd.

Thanks for the heads up @LIZS

Hawthorns has a good reputation and a lovely site. However if you haven't been there from the start it is probably not worth starting there at 11+ for only two years when many Hawthorns pupils leave at 11+ as that is the main point of entry for other schools eg RGS and Dunottar.

I would look at RGS (if your kids are academic and confident), Dunottar, Caterham, St Teresa's and St John's Leatherhead. The people I know who have sent their children to Dunottar have been happy with it. St Teresa's is in a beautiful location.

I would also look at state school options in Surrey.

yep , that's ture - my daugthers year no girls stayed but the year above and below had good numbers - nearly half I'm sure. please bear in mind that the 13+ entry sees to be a dying breed. Dunottar scraped it altogether, RGS numbers are low, caterham has a good 13+ intake but all want them to sit exam at 11+. Try Ardingley and St Johns for more 13+ entry too. There's also Hazelwood in Oxted up to 13

@myrtilles thanks for this. I guess my issue with state schools is that I have to apply via the LA by end of October but we won’t be resident by then..

@SurreyMum117 thanks again

Slightly further afield you could look at Ardingly.

May be worth looking at Sutton High if you are after an all girls school. Schools around Reigate seem to be more co-ed

@LIZS @whatiknow2015 thanks very much ladies

Might be worth looking at Felton Fleet as an interim measure whilst you get your feet on the ground. Goes up to 13.

Thanks @RosesAndHellebores what do people think of Lingfield?

Lingfield is a mixed bag, less selective than RGS or Caterham and head a bit Marmite. I've known sportier families leave for likes of Hurst.

Thanks @LIZS