Surrey Private schools for anxious child

[ambitiousgoose]

Hello,
we live in Surrey. My DD is due to start Reception next year. She’s on the ASD pathway, very bright, outgoing and friendly. Speaks well with adults but struggles with peers her own age and experiences anxiety & situational mutism when overwhelmed.

does anyone know of any good prep schools that are nurturing whilst still academic? I want her to be pushed but also whilst caring for her nervous system. She’s got so much potential but I feel it will need to be the right environment.

thanks so much!

Surrey is huge. Can you be a bit more specific?

if near Farnham definitely avoid Frensham Heights.

Amesbury in Hindhead. It’s absolutely what you’re looking for. Nurturing school that also wants children to succeed and helps them to achieve academically too. Really recommend looking around.

Definitely Frensham heights.

Op you need to be more specific. Surrey covers 650 miles.

Sorry! We are near Farnham! @Rufusisturnedonmay Inask why to avoid FRensham Heights? That was one I was considering

Barfields?

Aldro! Amazing pastoral team, in house counsellor who does general wellbeing sessions with whole classes as well as 1:1’s as needed.
We know families who have had children with anxiety and even one with complete school avoidance which the school fully supported and it is my understanding that the child is now thriving. One of my children has SEND (ADHD) and I’ve been so impressed with the SEND department and new-ish (gosh I think it must be over a year now - time flies) head of SEND.
It is such a happy school and the perception of it being hugely academic is just not true. They stretch the kids who want stretching and they nurture the kids that don’t. I have 2 children there - one academic, one not and they genuinely have such a different experience at Aldro to one another, which in my mind shows that they have the balance right. Also, they have a huge extra curricular and enrichment programme too, which a lot of them are included in the fees which makes husband very happy!!!

P.S. I should have said that the rumour mill has it that Aldro are opening pre-prep in Sept 2027 so don’t be put off by it being prep only at the moment.

If south Surrey Amesbury in Hindhead, Highfield in Liphook very strong on Send but gets v pricey beyond pre prep. Check the ownership structure, accounts from last year and pupil numbers in the last ISI inspection reports, the market hasn't bottomed out yet sadly.

Sorry for late reply.
I know more than one family have a terrible experience with Frensham. Not so much in junior years but in the senior section. Very very poor safeguarding for vulnerable teens who can appear to most as not vulnerable.

they come across super cool
and accommodating with their approach but the foundations of care beneath are weak.

I wouldn’t even send my child there for a summer holiday club.