Guildford area private schools

[hotelharibo]

Starting to look at schools for our yr 5 son.

Does anyone know much about schools in the Guildford area?

Going to look at RGS, St John's Leatherhead and St George's College,

Just wondered if any poster and any insights into any of these.

Neither DH or I went to private school and if all feels a bit daunting!

To really advise we need to know where you are living (roughly), a bit more about your son and what you/he are looking for in a secondary school. Without that (especially because of the lack of boys schools) it’s hard to assist. Sorry

Is your ds at a primary school or prep and do you have a state school back up?

RGS boys are generally quite rude and a nuisance on the high street. I suspect the school teaches them entitlement like Eton or similar.

I'd choose one our excellent state schools personally, the local pupils are much more pleasant and get excellent results

My DSs went to St Georges. We were happy with it.

RGS is amazing if your son gets in. Our DS didn't at 11+ but friends' sons did and they adore the school. It gets boys, there is a place for all personalities and so much opportunity. Good support for when it is needed. Disagree RGS boys are rude - certainly not my experience on Guildford high street or from friends' children. It is a tough school to get into due to lack of boys schools in the area.

We loved St John's and it is top of DS' 13+ list. We felt it mixed tradition and close pastoral care with modern tech well. Down to earth, lovely children. It is getting more and more popular.

St George's - I hear more mixed things about but no real experience

Depending on your location I'd also consider Hampton, Reeds, Churchers, Kings Wimbledon (good train link) and the Reigate/Dorking schools such as Caterham, Whitgift and Reigate Grammar.

Thanks all that's helpful.

DS is bright, he's currently achieving greater depth in all areas. He's not sporty at all (hates it 🤣) but loves theatre and music.

We are Woking area. State schools here are good and may well go to state. But we want to explore all options.

St George's is good for music and theatre. Fantastic facilities.

Oooh @CraftyGin that's interesting to hear. I thought it was very sporty?

We are more keen on co-Ed.

I think with any senior school, you are going to get the sporty ones, and -then the non-sporty ones. Don't ever think that everyone is of one nature.

DS1 was sporty but did not like rugby, which is the main game at St George's. Nevertheless, he was on the first team as a back (less contact).

DS2 did not like sport beyond the superficial level (he did play tennis on one of the 28 courts), but otherwise it was drama for him. He did GCSE and A-level.

We chose St George's because it was basically the only school they could get to by train or bus. We did not select on any of their facilities. The religious ethos did not put us off.

While the boys were there, St George's choir won BBC Songs of Praise school choir of the year.

@hotelharibo, based on your description of your DS, I think you should definitely consider RGS. Despite the comments above, most RGS boys are not rude, and the idea that they teach “entitlement” is absurd. It’s very much a school for bright, quirky boys.

Woking is also just about in reach of some of the excellent south London schools; for example Hamptons have coaches that start in Woking.

My DS went to St John's. It's a lovely school, very caring and supportive. It's quite academic but not incredibly pushy.

@11Plus2022

Seriously, the contrast between the rude RGS boys taking over the pavements and bray-ing away and the state boys and the Guildford High girls is remarkable. I've had to phone RGS more than once about the boys behaviour in town,

I don't think the OP is going to send her DS to a Guildford state school, tbh.

[quote WaterBottle123]@11Plus2022

Seriously, the contrast between the rude RGS boys taking over the pavements and bray-ing away and the state boys and the Guildford High girls is remarkable. I've had to phone RGS more than once about the boys behaviour in town,

[/quote]
To be fair, if you try to walk around Burpham when George Abbot tips out, or the Farnham Road, when County finish, you will have the same issues. You just notice RGS boys because they are all in the centre of town.

@WaterBottle123 RGS absolutely DOES NOT teach the boys that they are entitled. The school is at pains to ensure the boys recognise their responsibility to community. Unfortunately, sometimes, there are boys with more energy than passers-by are in the mood for. The centre of Guildford has had tumbleweed rolling down the High Street during COVID, so the boys stand out more, during the week, than they would on a Saturday afternoon with packed shops

Agree that RGS boys are very far from being entitled, it's one of the more down to earth private schools, with lots of bright boys on bursaries and scholarships. Very normal and nice boys

You don't have to be sporty to go to St Georges, but there are plenty of other sports on offer if they don't like rugby. And rowing from third year.