Guildford schools

[Retrodad12]

Hi all- looking for advice to Guildford schools and I know this topic has been done before. Looking at Cats, GHS and Tormead for 2 daughters who will be trying for year 3 and year 7 next year!
Heard great things about all- attracted by the idea of possible scholarships at Year 3 for Tormead according to the website- any advice on this school or the admissions? Also seen that GHS tend to be difficult scholarship wise. My eldest daughter is a violinist and fairly academic but may not be 'scholarship' material. However she really wants to aim for one but i don't want her to be let down. Any advice on either school for Year 7 and 3 scholarships at all or entrance exams? We like the idea of Cats in the country side and are totally confused! Will be moving from another area and looking forward to living somewhere 'prettier'!
Thanks.

Done all of those this year, plus one other. Don't expect to get GHS, daughter did herself proud, but it's a tough game getting in. Tormead has been the most impressive from an admissions standpoint. Very organised, they always came across as being one step ahead, plus communications have been good. St Cats has a great countryside offering, yes, agreed. We wouldn't mind her going there at all. Results good.
Daughter is most keen on Tormead, she's quite a down to earth kid, and seems attracted to the down to earth, unpretentious feel, good results, the students and staff we have met seem happy, friendly and competent. Daughter finds it welcoming and friendly.
Basically all three are great, but there's a fit for each DD, for my DD it's probably not GHS and maybe St Cats, but mostly likely Tormead. For you that could be entirely different. Good luck.

Thanks Thats very helpful. She sounds like she has done very well- is this for Year 7 as well? I an dreading it! Sounds like you will be going with Tormead then? Did she have any experience of any of the scholarships?

Hi @Retrodad12, yes 11+ for us. Waiting for the post now, to see what offers we have to pick from, if we get Tormead, it is DDs favourite and I'm more than happy with it, so we'd likely go with it. We didn't apply for any scholarships, but my daughter's best friend did, she attended a drama assessment day and enjoyed it, apparently loads of kids there. We didnt really hear much more about it than that. I see you have two daughters? If you want them in the same school, think about their abilities and what they're into and try and find some common ground and a school to match. If not consider commute time between both. All three main Guildford schools have a prep too, so handy

I went to St Cats. I wouldn't let my children go there for love nor money. There is no pastoral care, it's a hot house of horrendous pressure and bullying from teachers.

Out of interest, why is your daughter so keen on a scholarship? You seem to be giving that particular weight. I'd think that's a nice extra, but the most important thing is to choose the best fit school.

My DD is very happy in the GHS junior school. I certainly wouldn't be influenced by year 3 scholarships. I think for most girls (certainly my daughter), they're not really fixed on what will interest them yet at that age (not all sports or instruments started yet, only just starting orchestras and sports squads) so I'd think it's better to keep their view of themselves outside boxes, so that they feel as open to exploring different interests as possible.

Have you visited the schools yet? Open days (non-virtual) seem to be running again, so if you're close enough I'd recommend visiting in person. I saw there's a virtual one too, which would be a good start if you're further away. The schools are all great, just different. Most people find that as they visit and learn more about them, they get a feel for which is a better fit for their daughter and their own family viewpoints/values.

I agree. Year 3 scholarships are a bit silly. Bursaries fair enough and much more respectable. Scholarships at 7 or 11+ tend to mean a few things: pressure to stay 'at the top' and do lots of music/sport/extra competitions or a school is desperate to get pupils from the higher end accepting offers (my DD and her friends were all offered priors field scholarships which almost put us off as parents. It was flattering but clearly a marketing ploy. Some had scholarships at priors field/tormead but no offers from GHS/St cats which told them something). I would take a GHS or st cats waitlist place over a tormead or priors field scholarship.

Yes for a few pupils scholarships are a big achievement and help with the fees a bit. But overall and given you have said your DD would not get into GHS, I really would not focus on that. You want to find somewhere which motivates your dd as well as nurtures... I got stuck in the nurturing marketing trap for my younger with dyslexia and it was mainly all talk and a lot of her being let off anything she didn't want to do. Consequently she is now doing far better somewhere else and much happier and confident.

All are fab schools and most girls apply to all or a combination and then see what offers they have. Tormead is trying very hard to get itself out there as Guildford's number 2 girls school offering something different to GHS. It's been said before on here and I agree, it would do much better as a co-Ed and potentially take some of the usual RGS /GHS pupils I imagine. It would be a real competitor and is really needed in the area.

We went with st cats ...the bullying comments are historic. For us it is exactly what we wanted in terms of academic, lots of focus on inclusive extra curricular and takes all types in but they leave confident, ambitious girls who are great fun too as the school really celebrates and gently pushes all to join in and take risks.

There are all great schools, I agree. The whole offer/waitlist thing seems to change from year to year, depending mostly on who you talk to! Last year there was an extensive thread where parents were being offered StCats and waitlisted at Priorsfield. But then that was in the midst of StCats PR disaster surrounding its dire pandemic response. But, it's just impossible to know what's going on, especially via forum. Theres also an extensive thread of current parents moaning about 'current' issues at StCats, however, like the PP, some say it is 'historic'. Again, the danger of the forum environment is that we don't really know what is gospel, what is experience based opinion or what is simply made up/exaggerated.

The only real fact to note, if you're looking for a school in Guildford for your DD, is that you have some great choices, that all perform well academically, yet offer different (but generally very good!) learning experiences. The fact is you will need to get out there and visit them for yourself to actually discover which one works for you/DD.

There is a real need for a co-ed school in Guildford, not sure any of the girl's schools will jump on it though. Until the supply of girls willing to apply starts to dry up, why bother? Looking at the inspection reports, Tormead which you mention, has actually grown over the last 3 years, and I'm sure they are still maintaining their high standards, as diluting the intelligence level of their cohorts would be counterproductive. As just one example, a friend's daughter went to Tormead's 11+ activity day and counted way over 200 kids, and assuming they didn't all go to the optional event, there is clearly still a healthy supply of interest in a girls only education in/around Guildford. Theres also another post on a facebook group I'm in for Guildford Mummies, with someone saying they're on the waitlist for Tormead Reception as its completely full, asking for alternatives - amongst the suggestions was StCats and Rydes Hill - again both good girls' schools! So another indication that the girl's schools in the area must still be attracting interest, at the younger ages too. I do feel that this appeal in a girls only education has grown massively in the last 2 years, especially with the whole drama around the me-too movement, etc. I was great believer in mixed education, but I too can see the benefits these days.

OP, I would highly suggest you go look around, take advantage of the in-person tours that are becoming available and ask some questions. Tours tend to be during the school day too, so you'll be able to see all these four great schools in operation and decide which one is the 'fit' for you.

It used to be

GHS - most academic and all round high standards. Seems scary on the outside if you don't know it but reality so laid back.
Tormead - if you want in town, don't get into GHS
St Cats - more country, part boarding, posher feel, academically not far behind GHS at all
Prior's Field - the common other school around here to apply for - much less academic, seen as nurturing, country, 'new money' compared to St Cats

This is a few years out though.

Thanks everyone. I think the younger one is thinking about it because her daughter is. I don't think they know the meaning behind things at this age. It's so difficult to make these decisions and of course visiting is important. Thanks for all the advice. A happy school is probably the most important for them really as they all seem to be reasonably good academically.

@JigJaguar think not that much has changed except perhaps , as someone else mentioned, the marketing aspect of it all.

Tormead is really pushing itself as not an alternative to GHS and GHS is speaking for itself (as always). St Cats is still the more traditional school with its boarding aspect.

All 3 of these schools have the good and bad points. It really does depend on your child. What would give her the best envionment whilst still allowing her to flourish and strive for more. And that is the question all of us parents on here wish we could answer!!

@Retrodad12 each school has its own way of determining scholarships. Some will use their exams as the determining factor others will have a separate scholarship process - always the case for sport, drama or art scholarships.

@Cyclingisfunhope your letter dropped today from Tormead - wish your DD the best of luck.

@PricePoint, yes we got an offer! Very pleased. Her best mate got one too but didn't make the scholarship. Sadly the other friend from her school got waitlisted, so although she's really chuffed, it's a tiny bit bitter sweet for her. We've has a celebratory pizza though, so all in all a good day.
How did you know about the offers, is your DD expecting too? X

@Cyclingisfun my DD got an offer from Tormead!! So congrats to you too. Chicken noodles were on our list as a reward - go figure 🤗

All three are excellent schools so try all three. My daughter is at GHS since Reception (now in Senior). In terms of scholarships, music scholarship at GHS is hard to get as due to competition. Is violin her only instrument? What grade is she? It depends on the year but for GHS scholarship girls normally need grade 6-8 on one instrument and 5-7 on the other. Definitely worth applying and going for audition (if invited). As for GHS Junior school, 7+ is a very competitive entry point as not many places.

Just joining as we are waiting offers for Guildford schools. Tormead came through, which is a nice boost for DD. She was thrilled. Hoping for GHS, St Cats or St John's but good to have Tormead in the bag.
Prep school head pushed DD to put Tormead as a back up and I am glad she did. The nerves are getting to me and it will be a perfectly good place for DD (probably just up until sixth form then we'd look again) if the other offers don't materialise.

Interesting to read the opinions on this thread. They sum up how we feel about the schools well. Cousins are at GHS and the laid back thing is true. They are also bright girls but not terrifyingly so. Very down to earth and modest. We like the tradition and opportunity at St Cat's/St John's. Tormead for us was just a second to GHS - sorry PP who said it is trying not to be now! May be becoming our first though (offers depending)!! I can see it is great for lots of girls and may be right for DD. I think it is easier to get into than St John's but we will see.

Hi PP that's a massive geographical spread you have there! Congrats on the offer, you must be very pleased. If you've been offered Tormead, I would be very, very surprised if you weren't also offered St.Johns and StCats. Traditionally, St.johns has been easier to get into, as it's less academic than both Tormead/St Cats, which, can be seein the their exam results over the past years. Normally tormead is picked as backup to GHS, most don't consider it a backup to the other two - perhaps maybe, stCats, but they haven't had the best of years in recent times!
At least you've got one offer, and I imagine you'll get at least two more shortly, fingers crossed for three more! 😀

Our prep had almost the entire year 6 class of 19 apply for GHS with Tormead as a backup, a few did Tormead then another, as they knew GHS would be competitive.. . It seems to be a standard approach then! I wonder if we're both associated with the same prep school @DiscoSplasher. A few of the girls had st.cats, st John's and Farnborough as backups too. But drop off and pick up wise they (bar stJohns) dont work for our location.
Ps. Well done on the offer, what a superb 'backup' to have! we are so very lucky to have this selection of girls' schools around us

@AlwaysIntheGarden

Our prep had almost the entire year 6 class of 19 apply for GHS with Tormead as a backup, a few did Tormead then another, as they knew GHS would be competitive.. . It seems to be a standard approach then! I wonder if we're both associated with the same prep school *@DiscoSplasher*. A few of the girls had st.cats, st John's and Farnborough as backups too. But drop off and pick up wise they (bar stJohns) dont work for our location. Ps. Well done on the offer, what a superb 'backup' to have! we are so very lucky to have this selection of girls' schools around us

I imagine we may be at the same prep or a similar one! That trend is very familiar.

With the trains around here and bus routes we found geography did not limit us too much. Depends on siblings and work patterns for many though, I know.

Have you heard of many priors field applications? It seems quiet in our circle at the moment. So hopefully good news if any DDs did apply there.

Neverenoughflowers You are right on results, but not enough to bother us. I have a son so can say this... when looking at co-ed schools for girls is well known that boys tend to bring GCSE results down as they mature later. You can even see it in the RGS results (on a different scale though). So the lower results at St J didn't worry me in terms of DD... and actually would not for a son either. It just offers something different, buzzy and all-rounded, which for us personally Tormead doesn't quite. It is a bit more standard town girls school. But that is personal opinion based on my DD/family preferences.
I also think beyond a school being massively out of sync with your child's ability, these are all pretty tip top places so they will do just fine in any of them. It is all the other stuff that interests us more. We more worry that there are less girls places at St J and it is extremely popular now - more so than Tormead despite the academics - so I think will be trickier to get into. That is what prep school head said anyway.

Good luck all!

Hi everyone,

Just jumping on here to ask about your thoughts on Priorsfield, Farnborough Hill, Sir William Perkins and Tormead. We are in shock as DD was offered a place at all 4 which is amazing. She goes to a state school and so got no help from them. We had to do it all at home.
Priorsfield and Tormead are easier to get to -we are from Woking. DD loved Priorsfield and Farnborough Hill.

She loves being challenged academically but doesn't cope well with alot of stress. She loves art, drama and science. Any thoughts on which school might suit her best? She won't know anyone else going to these schools either and can be shy. Thanks

To jump on as have been thread watching. We've been offered places for Prior's Field and Tormead. We did do GHS but not expecting an offer and not really sure it's the right environment.

DD loves PF and we think it's a nurturing environment where she will thrive and do best. She's very bright but also creative and sensitive. My Goddaughter is at Tormead and isn't that happy sadly so it may be influencing our thinking even more.

As PP have said, all the schools are great and will be an amazing experience for the right girl. Wishing everyone best of luck for further offers!!

@Neverenoughflowers i think you meant to say that to @DiscoSplasher

Although we are looking at similar schools. Like everyone else just waiting to hear from GHS and one other. I dont like the spread of all the exams and results even though i knew that from the off. Its also a little tough having differing types of exams.... after all they are only 10 or 11 years old !

@Babymamaroon

To jump on as have been thread watching. We've been offered places for Prior's Field and Tormead. We did do GHS but not expecting an offer and not really sure it's the right environment.

DD loves PF and we think it's a nurturing environment where she will thrive and do best. She's very bright but also creative and sensitive. My Goddaughter is at Tormead and isn't that happy sadly so it may be influencing our thinking even more.

As PP have said, all the schools are great and will be an amazing experience for the right girl. Wishing everyone best of luck for further offers!!

Well done to your DD!

Out of interest why is your goddaughter unhappy at tormead?

Friends with DC at PF say it is great as long as your DD is motivated. Friends DD is lazy and is allowed to get away with a lot. It is nurturing but extremely laid back. Lovely setting and ethos though.

@DiscoSplasher that's a good point you raise re PF and fortunately DD is very motivated so I'm hoping it will suit her.

Re my GD, there's been a few issues with friendship groups and her parents don't feel it's been dealt with well. So it's nothing major but means she's doesn't love it.

Also watching with interest (!) as we have a few options too.
Can I ask about Tormeads central location - are they at a disadvantage due to lack of space on their campus for activities and sport?
St Cats has had a lot of negative press recently? Does anyone know if it is deserved and what are current opinions?
Does anyone have experience of St Teresa’s?

It is noted that a lot of these schools have further open days which may be very helpful. It is a big decision and looking to learn a bit more about all of these schools! Thank you.