Surrey prep schools - would love your opinions please

[Nam3]

Hi there

I would very much welcome your opinions on Surrey prep schools - we are moving and I want to make sure I am getting it right.

I have a DD who will be sitting 7+ assessment and a DS and DD in tow (who are now young but I need to consider options for them as well with the move).

My DD will be moving from an academic prep school in London and I want to make sure that I find the right school for her. I do want a school which prepares the girls well for 11+ so she can aim high (should she turn out to be academic - I think too young to tell at 6). So far she will be sitting assessments for :

1. Guildford High Junior school (if rumours are correct on competition, not sure she will get in although I am working with her on thr weekends on for at of exams
2. Rowan Prep, Claygate
3. Halstead Prep, Woking
4. Feltonfleet (visiting next week so not sure yet about this school).

We visited Milbourne Lodge and I found it to be a boys school hence have now discarded from our shortlist. Whilst I am considering both girls only and Coed to 11/13, GHS is the only one I found which is 4-18 with good academic results etc etc.

Am I missing any other great schools to consider?

Thank you so much in advance!!

We had kids at Hoe Bridge but took them out of the school. The online provision during the lockdowns was atrocious, teachers were point blank refusing to do online zoom lessons . They expected us to work from home, teach the kids, and pay thousands in fees (for nothing) it was ridiculous. Final straw was when school started up again, it was the hottest day of the year and my son forgot to take his water bottle to school. The teacher said she wasn’t allowed to give him a cup because of covid (everything that the kids used had to be their own), by the time I collected him at the end of the day he was complaining of a headache, started vomiting in the car on way home. We took him to A&E and he was diagnosed with heat stroke and dehydration. Luckily he recovered quickly. When we told the school we were moving the kids to a different school they didn’t even want to hear our reasons why. I guess they just realised how terrible they had performed during lockdown. There has been a lot of parents furious at the online provisions, but it’s hard taking a kid away from their friends :(
Also found it an extremely pushy school, was commonplace to have kids crying at pickup because they only got 19/20 in their spelling test. My eldest would often get super upset on a Sunday before the school week because the pressure from teachers there just too much. And the school day is far too long, 8am-5pm…longer than my work day Since they’ve moved schools the difference in them is astounding, they are so much calmer and happier now.

You don't need to prep for Halstead, Rowan or Felton fleet, they take everyone. LEH St Albans and GHS are much more competitive but it doesn't make them better. I'd go for Rowans every time.

@lucylwp

You don't need to prep for Halstead, Rowan or Felton fleet, they take everyone. LEH St Albans and GHS are much more competitive but it doesn't make them better. I'd go for Rowans every time.

GHS is ranked number 1 in the country for like 7 years in a row, so I'd say GHS is the best there. Followed by Seaton House School together with LEH. I'd say all 3, depending on commute times (choose the closest one!!!)

Does anyone have any up to date insight into Halstead School in Woking?

Halstead is a great school and preps extremely well for secondary schools - something like 45 scholarships last year. My DD was very happy there

@Nam3 OP, which school(s) did your children end up going to in the end?