Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Guildford schools

118 replies

Retrodad12 · 17/01/2022 22:37

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.

OP posts:
TooManyChildren3010 · 31/01/2022 19:17

Did you have a good experience contacting ghs ?

Surreydad12 · 31/01/2022 20:13

I couldn't get through! Seems like they had quite a few people calling them. Had to leave a message for them to call me back! Are you also experiencing wait list?

StarfishDiver · 31/01/2022 21:34

We have a Tormead offer. Others are waitlist so far and still waiting on some. Really not sure what we will do yet. Any feedback from current tormead parents? Honest pros and cons would be good! DD is from a co ed school and so any thoughts on going to all girls too. She is quite ambivalent to it all. I read tormead is science and tech heavy on here, Dd is more artsy at the moment.
We are at state primary so feel a bit overwhelmed as they are all great opportunities (if we get more offers in!!) but want our fees worth!

Neverenoughflowers · 01/02/2022 02:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cyclingisfun · 01/02/2022 02:15

We chose tormead because it simply fitted our DD. She's a smart kid, but learns at her own pace, she needs encouragement and inspiration, otherwise she just falters.
We looked at GHS, which with amazing facilities and super girls blew our minds, but our daughter isn't like that, she's incredibly smart, but wouldn't thrive there. So we looked at St Cats, a lovely looking school and great students, but a bit traditional and logistically we simply weren't after a country destination. We also tried priors field, given it has a reputation for being academically inclusive and warm. We actually visited twice and although I wanted to like it, I couldn't see past the tired old buildings and facilities, it also seemed like the place my DD would actually regress academically but progress socially/creatively, which isn't what we were after. It did have a strong art focus, but for us that was simply because it had a pretty low core subject success rate. My dd also loves art and although she didn't get the art scholarships she applied for at tormead, I think there will be.enough to keep her busy.

Ps. St John's is great if you're after co-ed!

southchinasea · 01/02/2022 11:06

We were really happy with Tormead (just finished sixth form) and felt it was a nurturing and warm environment with a wide variety of things to get involved with, whatever their interests. DD joined from a state primary and settled quickly. Would describe her as bright, quietly sociable, tendency to be a little anxious and perhaps put pressure on herself. She thrived at Tormead and I don't know if she would have done elsewhere. There was plenty of academic stretch and challenge for her and great teachers with lots of individual attention. She had a really lovely, supportive friendship group. Would highly recommend.

TooManyChildren3010 · 01/02/2022 18:34

Hi @Surreydad12.
Not managed to get through either so left a message. Such a stressful time.

Coffeefandom · 02/02/2022 09:32

My daughter is also on the waiting list at GHS. What I heard from last year parents - GHS will come back to you after the 3rd March and will be able to provide more insight into where your daughter is on the waiting list.
Last year two girls from our school were in the first 10. The girls that was in the first 3 got an offer in August. Hope it helps.

StarfishDiver · 02/02/2022 20:08

DDs friend and her sister both got waitlist GHS places fairly near to the deadline so it certainly isn't a no. Hold hope!

We are looking at Claremont and Notre Dame again to have more of a think. I like tormead except the cramped site.. but maybe I will get over that.

Firenze12 · 02/02/2022 20:31

Notre Dame and Claremont are not in the same league academically as Tormead, so it depends on what you want for your 'fees worth'. Every child is different though and it is about the right fit. Having another look is always a good idea.

pico1234 · 02/02/2022 22:15

Agree with PP, it really does depend on what you want for your fees. If you're looking to pay for fields, space and nice looking grass/buildings then it is entirely your prerogative to do so. However, it is important to not loose sight of the other reasons for a private education, one of which includes the results/extras; ergo, the life chances you will be affording your DD.

A superb example is that a friend of mine, with a very, very intelligent DD (I posted right back at the start of this thread) was torn, recently, between Tormead and Priors field. The reason was the warm, friendly and 'happy' vibes being given off by the priors field marketing department. Now, PF might be all those things, and they're clearly pushing it as their USP, but nothing detracts from the fact that you can get a happy, well balanced education at Tormead, with stunning results to boot. She soon snapped out of it and realised her DD could cope with Tormead, have fun, enjoy school and get the results her intellect will afford her.

My advise, think about what you actually want from your money, think hard, look past all the marketing and then decide.

PricePoint · 03/02/2022 12:07

@pico1234 your last paragraph is exactly what people needs to look at. The landscape may all change in 5 years time. For example, the current issues that are on going with the GDST schools and their pension scheme, etc.

Its tough but you need to ignore the league tables for the past 2 years as they seem to be very skewed and much changed due to covid. Also, its very important to try and see what your daughter would enjoy and what would make her thrive. It is very tough and it is a difficult choice. But thats why we "chose" this route .... to try and make the best choice for DD. Perhaps one day we may look back at the process and understand why we did it and perhaps it will work out for the best.

villagegirlatheart · 03/02/2022 14:07

Hi. Have been watching this thread with interest. Could I ask whether anyone on the waitlist for Tormead has been given any indication of where their daughter is on the list? I enquired on Monday but haven't received a reply at all to date. Is it usual to not receive a response even if just to say "we've been inundated with enquiries and will be in touch in due course"?

PricePoint · 03/02/2022 15:40

@villagegirlatheartam guessing alot of people will make a decision shortly or at least after tonights offer holders event at Tormead. Most will hold on to decide when they have all their offers in hand and some will know straight away but hold on until fairly late - not what a lot of people on the wait lists want to hear but thats the reality of it.

villagegirlatheart · 03/02/2022 15:48

Many thanks @PricePoint I'm sure you are right.

ReallyDontHaveAClue · 03/02/2022 20:01

We have just released our Tormead offer and we cancelled attending the offer holders event earlier today. I felt quite sad as it's clearly a great school, but DD has chosen another offer. I hope waitlists will start to move sooner rather than later for those waiting to hear.

Cyclingisfun · 03/02/2022 20:33

@villagegirlatheart, if I was you I would just give Tormead a call. I've emailed a few times and always got a reply the same day, it's likely something has gone astray. If I can reassure, at my prep, it's common chatter that the tormead Admissions process has been really professional and slick. I've just finished their offer holders evening, perhaps you did too? It has certainly reaffirmed our choice and reminded us, as someone else above mentioned, that you can get honesty in a process, not just the marketing! They strike just the right balance of kind, caring and supportive whilst encouraging great success academically.
Ghs was another choice of ours, plus others. Don't forget that all the schools will over offer. Tormea with a prep school of nearly 40-50 per year 6, nly needs to fill 50 spaces to make a full year group at year 7 I would guess. My fingers are crossed for you, but do give them a ring.

villagegirlatheart · 04/02/2022 15:00

Thank you for all the replies. Oops - didn't realise we could go to the offer holders evening if we were on the waitlist so didn't go! All good though - our preferred school have offered and daughter has decided to accept. Good luck to those still waiting. Hopefully all will hear soon.

Cyclingisfun · 04/02/2022 17:33

@villagegirlatheart Good point, penny didn't drop, maybe waitlist weren't going. Well that's good to hear, there's a school for everyone! Congrats to your daughter. Star

Surreydad12 · 04/02/2022 19:32

Hello! With talk of thr Tormead offers evening, I wondered if anyone knows whether GHS had one soon? Thanks.

ReallyDontHaveAClue · 04/02/2022 21:53

@Surreydad12

Hello! With talk of thr Tormead offers evening, I wondered if anyone knows whether GHS had one soon? Thanks.
I don't believe there is a GHS offer holders evening. If you want to have another visit admissions will do a short tour by arrangement.
Surreydad12 · 05/02/2022 00:51

Thank you!

PricePoint · 05/02/2022 11:27

So what i have been told from the Tormead evening was that the planning for the sports field / area has been rejected by the council.... thats a huge loss for the school. Also, they are reducing their languages provision from 3 to 2 languages.

Not sure if this helps anyone or if in fact it is correct. However, if either or both are correct then it does add info to your decision making.

Firenze12 · 05/02/2022 11:55

Do you mean they are just doing French and Spanish? Presumably they are still doing Latin and Ancient Greek too?

villagegirlatheart · 05/02/2022 12:26

@PricePoint

So what i have been told from the Tormead evening was that the planning for the sports field / area has been rejected by the council.... thats a huge loss for the school. Also, they are reducing their languages provision from 3 to 2 languages.

Not sure if this helps anyone or if in fact it is correct. However, if either or both are correct then it does add info to your decision making.

Is that the Urn Field site? I live in Guildford and yes, sadly, rejected. Will try and post a link if I can...

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/bid-guildford-sports-ground-thrown-22346033?fbclid=IwAR28017dsZbsZoXWbsULdOD1p2GL6B0XKSStd4NP7I218oAys7svyqr8g

Swipe left for the next trending thread