Secondary schools in Surbiton

[X6hfyib4ms]

I am looking to move to Surbiton in the near future and would be grateful for some local knowledge on secondary schools. A lot are dingle sex which I don't mind.

Which are the most sought after? Area looking in would be in the Catchment of Tolworth girls, Hollyfield, Southborough, Richard Challoner?

Have 3 kids, one I think would be smart enough to have a chance at Tiffin but not all.

Can't afford private (kids privately educated currently but going through a divorce, with that and all the other changes in the sector rules it out for us).

Thanks for your help!

Hello, I am going through similar to you in terms of divorce and its ramifications. Are you tied to Surbiton ? Otherwise Richmond has good secondaries and access to Tiffin.

Hi @Daylight7777 thanks for your response. Yes basically I've settled on Surbiton for various reasons, to do with family / custody etc. Richmond would take me too far in to London unfortunately and less affordable.

Good luck with your divorce, it's v tough.

Richard Challoner- Boys only, good but are you Catholic?
Southborough - Less good reputation, boys only.
Tolworth Girls- Girls only obvs, good reputation.
Hollyfield - Mixed, good reputation.

Hinchley Wood has a much better reputation than any of these schools and you'll be in the catchment on one side of Surbiton.

Thank you ! Yes it’s very tough - sympathies. My ex refuses to pay school fees going forward so hsvd had to reevaluate schooling going forward…
i think Challoner is supposed to be good - boys Catholic school? Have you looked at locrating website at all?

Thanks @GeorgeSpeaks appreciate it, I'll look at Hinchley Wood.

We are Catholic but not practicing.

@Daylight7777 thank you, similar position. My kids are in single sex private so in a way I think the transition to a state single sex might feel less of a shock. But would also consider mixed, especially if the reputation was better.

@X6hfyib4ms fortunately I only have one dc so am targeting preps (he’s at a pre prep now) which are cheap-ish and that offer scholarships/bursaries as well as looking to live in good state schools area. Good luck!

read the admissions criteria for Richard Challoner carefully with regard to feeder schools!

Also Hinchley Wood has feeder schools and no one gets in if they aren't in one (as well as within the catchment area) so worth bearing in mind if you are moving to the area.

Thanks both @Trickleg and @GolfForBrains for pointing out the admissions criteria and feeder schools. Bit of a nightmare if you're moving in to the area but I'll have to look at availability for the primaries as well then.

Golf, do you mean for Hinchley Wood it is feeder school AND catchment, is distance to the school relevant?

Surrey covers HW (as opposed to Kingston for Hollyfield, Tolworth etc) and their figures are here for 2023 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/arrangements-and-outcomes/previous-years#a23.

For Hinchley Wood, spaces in practice don't go outside the in a feeder school and also in catchment category but within that allocated in distance order. This year it went out 1.75km but it varies. Not all in that category therefore get in depending on their home address but depending on the year group of your children, the birth rate is going down.