Danes Hill School

[gymandfever]

Hi. We have recently moved to Esher and considering new school for September as currently travelling back to previous area. Had decided on DH as a good fit, but concerned over sudden change of head. Should we be concerned? Thanks.

Or any other suggestions of similar schools?

Do you mean the current head who came from St Paul's junior school in Barnes? She is regarded as the best prep head going and once it was announced she was joining DH the school filled up its places.
You can easily google what happened with then previous head. Is the current head leaving?

The nearest similar school is Feltonfleet.

Thanks will have a look. No there is a new head as of this week but no news as such so just had a concern as she had only been there a year or two.

Sorry to hear, there must be a valid reason because of what happened before. The daughter of the head of Epsom (who passed) was enrolled there too so the school has been through a lot out of its control.

We are in a similar position. Had a visit about 6 weeks ago and met with headteacher who talked enthusiastically about new term. The fact that there is no mention of her leaving on school social media makes me question if maybe they have had a bad IS inspection. Will meet new head and decide from there.

Oh my goodness, really surprised to hear that Maxine Shaw has left! Surely parents must have been told why?

I've found her post on LinkedIn, definitely sounds like it wasn't a move by her choosing. Lots of local heads sending her support on the post.

It’s interesting that not many people have commented on this post. Reading the messages on LinkedIn it looks like Mrs Shaw leaving happened pretty quickly. Perhaps a disagreement of some kind - speculation of course without any parents leaving any hints.

i know recently they put their fees up now as expensive or more so than some of the best London day schools. How do existing parents feel about it? Are many children being pulled out. It was going to be a choice for my DC’s but now having second thoughts.

Oh that’s so disappointing which makes me think this was a very sudden departure.

I've had a look at her Linked In and yes definitely not a planned move and no new job to go to. D Hill also seem to have removed most of the social media posts that she was in. Maybe I am overthinking. I'm sure the official line will be left for personal reasons so we may never know.