Advice on Surrey pre-prep and prep

[Spellofmathematics]

Hello, I know the whole ‘which school is better’ has been done to death particularly in terms of the Surrey schools I am interested in but I would really welcome honest opinions on the schools I’ve visited (feel free to PM me!) as they are all so different.

• Danes Hill
• St George’s Weybridge
• Shrewsbury House pre prep
• Rowan Girls
• Milbourne Lodge
• Claremont fan court

My DC’s (boy and girl) are quite young, so no real strengths to speak of just yet, but we are moving to this area next year and would like to be more informed about the choices really. I must admit that I’ve loved all those schools and am having a hard time deciding - academics and music is important to us.

I would also welcome thoughts on a discussion I had with two pupils at one of the schools I visited. Both were lovely and appeared to be similar academically except one was heavily tutored (got a bit confused because there were so many) with no senior school offer just yet and the other revealed he had no tutoring to get in to this top school and during the discussion about tutors was just generally disinterested/ no opinion which led me to believe that what he was saying was true. Would you say that regardless of which school my DC’s attend, there will be an element of tutoring that I should consider?

Thank you!

It really depends where you move to and whether you want the dc at the same prep school. Tutoring is everywhere so I wouldn't take that into account. A particular favourite of many for girls is Rowan and if you move to Claygate the Rowan/ Milbourne/ Shrewsbury options are a popular combination. But Danes Hill and Feltonfleet are also wonderful if you move near to their sites. With Claremont and St George's you are committing until 11 at least.

This part of Surrey has many many fantastic schools which can often make a school decision based on commuting / school run rather than school ethos etc.

FYI Shrewsbury house prep for boys from age 7 has just published its latest inspection report. (Excellent)

We’re open to moving to around that area - hence asking about the specific schools. I think it would be nice to have them both at the same school, even if it is until 11 - I’m not overly concerned about them having to sit 11+. We liked SHPP and ML but they are boy heavy and it’s unlikely to change. I wonder if anyone has any girls at those schools and can share their thoughts? I haven’t considered Felton Fleet so thank you, I will look into that.

WRT tutoring, it’s pretty gutting that people pay all these fees for good schools and then tutoring on top. What’s the point of prep then? I just find it really strange. I know London is competitive so can expect this behaviour there but is Surrey like this too?

@Spellofmathematics sorry to tag you, but can I ask what you decided in the end and how your children got on?