Prep schools in Surrey

[dolly1]

We are currently living in London but planning to move to Surrey by time ds is two (he's due in Spring). Not sure where yet - prob Esher or Guildford or Weybrigde - net is very wide at the mo.
But I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of good prep schools in those areas please?
Happy to put name down at birth for four or five along with deposit and then confirm nearer the time when we have actually moved.
Just don't want to to miss the boat and find that by the time we get there they are full up. Not bothered about losing deposits.

Any suggestions? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Know all the schools in our area but no point putting name down with them.

We are thinking of Charterhouse for when he is older but that's a long way off yet.

Thanks in advance.

ps any nursery suggestions would be great too!

I think it depends on the area. We didn't really notice for schools outside your area particular feeder preps for North London, Habs where our daughters went except the junior schools of those and at 11+ most children are from state primary, many applicants per place but to learn my sister's children something like 23 children from their prep 100% got into their very academic first choice next school - all of those into the same one at 7 just really surprised me. And lots of connections between the schools, visits in advance to view the children etc not like the kind of no names exam paper no bias you get for traditional 11+ private schools.

But some schools will not prepare for an entrance test at 7 or 11 and others will and to that extent wherever you are it probably pays to be in one which does and has a good track record of getting children into schools you might want to go to.

Will keep the feeder school thing in mind and look into it. thanks again for all the advice ladies.
Whichwitch feel free to highjack! Not a problem at all. It is very hard moving to a new area and I think you are quite right to try and extend your circle. Is there an nct in the area? Being very new to this parenting game I don't know if you can join when you have older children but I'm sure if you spoke to the committee they'd welcome you along and possibly tell you about other mums groups and ways to meet people. What about at school? PTA? Do they still have those?! As I said I'm not too clued up on life with kids yet!
Also there is a 'meet up' section on mumsnet. Have a look on the home page I think it's there. Sure there will be a group in your area.
Good luck!

i am in the village barrow hills is located in

We are Ex Barrow Hills also - Kindy to year 2. Has a new head since we were there (the old head has moved to Cranmore).

my sister has had children there for ooh 8 yrs?

Rokeby just outside Kingston might be worth looking at if you're heading Esher-way. DH went, albeit many years ago!

There are very good schools in the area.
Daneshill (very big), Lanesborough (Guildford), Cranmore , Parkside(Cobham) Millbourne Lodge, St Andrew's (Woking), Hoe Bridge (Woking)
Feltonfleet is possibly a bit less academic.
St Georges wouldn't be my choice as prepares for secondary school, would have to transfer and then do Common Entrance (and might not want to).
None of these schools is selective into the nursery, so if your son isn't academic or has some problems, nothing lost.
Have a look at the insepection reports online, read the Good school Guide and then, go to see the schools and put name down at all that appeal to you.
I think the important thing is to choose a school that prepares for Common Entrance and gets their able pupils into selective secondary schools, if that's what you want.
Also, safest is to choose a boy's only school or school that used to be boy's only,and the more boy's go to Charterhouse the better contact there will be between headmaster from both schools.
Aldro's don't have the pre-prep, your son would need to go somewhere else , for example St Hillary's (girl's school)

Just read the whole tread- interesting.I just moved from Woking to Weybridge.
Woking is best for commuting.
Horsell is lovely and St Andrew's is really a lovely school and very good- would get your son into Cartehouse if able.
Weybridge is a nice place to live bit I choose to keep my children in Woking at school, haven't found a school that I like as much, by 2nd son will start in 2010 St Andrew's as well.It takes me 15-20 min. to drive them there.

Esher is great for commuting, from Claygate station the trains are very fast. Just by the A3 so very fast into London/Putney etc. driving. Great shopping in Kingston. But all depends on your budget, nothing much for £1m.

Have you thought of trying Homefield School for boys in Sutton? My friend's children love it; great academic results (also Art, Music and Sport) but without the London schools' "hot housing"; minibuses from Wimbledon area.
Great inspection report too.
Forgot, it has a nursery attached to it ( from 2 and a half).
Good luck!

St Andrews is excellent, my friends children went there and did very well.

Woking area secondary - I would wholehartedl recommend Gordon's School.

Christchurch School (primary) in Virginia Water and Charters (Secondary) which is just over the border in Sunningdale

I thoroughly recommend the advice given by the Independent Schools Council, free advice on independent schools. The number I think is 0845SCHOOLS, and website is www.isc.co.uk. The really helped a friend of mine find schools in London, but I know they have schools all over the country.

If you can afford to live in Esher, Cobham or Oxshot you will get a sophisticated urban style social life (great restaurants, bars, train into London) plus a very good choices of prep schools (Shrewsbury House, Danes Hill, FeltonFleet and Millfield all do common entrance and feed into the best boarding schools and (outer) London day schools.

Going slightly off the op - personally I think it makes sense to put a child into a great pre-prep (infants school) and then sit them for a 7 plus entrance test. Judging your childs ability and character at age 3 can back-fire. In my experience a good pre-prep will guide you as to the best prep school for your child.

I did supply last year in Charters. I recognise that it is the best of the bunch among state schools, but it falls far short of neighbouring independent schools. It is way too overcrowded, IMO.

I did supply last year in Charters. I recognise that it is the best of the bunch among state schools, but it falls far short of neighbouring independent schools. It is way too overcrowded, IMO.

Aldro is a Charterhouse feeder but that is south of Guildford. Otherwise in Claygate/Esher Milborne Lodge is an academic hot house and sends kids to Eton, Winchester, Tonbridge etc

Nobody has mentioned Parkside in Cobham- seems a lovely school, less pressure then some others.

About Woking : ideal for commuting by train.The town-centre is so-so, but very much loved by kids.
There's lots for kids in Woking, in fact mums from Weybridge/ Guildford will come to Woking for clubs, parties etc.
Woking has very nice green area's: Hook Heath, Hockering ( within walking distance from statiom, every few minutes a train to Waterloo in only 20 minutes), St John's, Woodham, Chobham, Worplesdon etc.
It is very close to Guildford for shopping.
Kingston takes longer now that the traffic has increased.
The south-side of Guildford is more countryside, very pretty but for any shopping you would need to drive.
It depends on how you want to live.

Can I just mention that Lanesborough is no longer a certain feeder for RGS.
My son is at RGS and in his year the school took a substantial intake from lanesborough. This year the situation has changed completely with fewer boys getting in from there. The intake for this year is spread much much wider. We have a new head and he has changed the criteria a bit.
lanesbourough is a nice school though ( DD goes to Tormead next door which is just heaven).
But I'm saying chose the prep you love - don't assume any school will aid getting entry to RGS because it won't anymore.
( RGS is absoloutely brilliant btw . DS has never been happier)

CLFS in Ashtead is a lovely school with just fabulous facilities but better for girls than boy IMO. St Christophers in Epsom is a really nice little prep.
I live in the centre of Guildford and love it BTW. DH walks to the station and DS is now old enough to use the trains to visit friends.

Have you seen www.find-a-school.co.uk ?
search for schools by county or by home postcode.
They offer a free service to arrange prospectuses to be sent to you from as many schools as you wish.

St Georges Junior school in Weybridge is a fabulous school, the whole ethos of the school is very family orientated. There is more emphasis on academic abilities now, but that is to prepare children for the senior school. The children receive a very balanced education compared to state schools, lots of sports, music and more specialist language and art teachers. My son is now in his sixth year at the school and I feel he would not be the same person if he were in a state school with 30 kids, limited resources and with teachers more concerned with SAT results that developing a child to their full potential.

Daff, my boys are at the College and it is a wonderful school. They were at Bishopsgate before.

Daff, my boys are at the College and it is a wonderful school. They were at Bishopsgate before.

Does anyone know which school is best Cranmore or Parkside in Cobham? thanks!

Bumping

Which part of Surrey are you interested in, FT?