Esher/Elmbridge primary schools ind and state, dish the dirt please

[eshermummy]

Inspired by the Reigate/Berkhamstead threads are there any mnetters with knowledge of the following schools:
Esher Church School
Claygate Primary
Rowan School
Claremont (pre-prep and prep part)
or others in vicinity ?

DD1 is due to start reception this coming Sept. We have applied to ECS as first choice but are not religious so not sure of our chances on proximity only.....sooooooo, if we get offered Claygate or Hinchley Wood Primaries should we go for these over the local ind options? We have visited Rowan and I loved it but DH not sure it's worth paying for private when the state options here are so good. (We moved out of central Lon 18 mths ago partly to escape dire state options and the need to go private.)

I know all of these schools are rated "good/outstanding" so not really "worried" about DD being at any of them. Would just love some inside info as to each school's "personality" - attitudes of head & teachers and parents.

Have heard ECS criticised as being too SATS focussed/ hot-housey. True ?

Am not exactly a "regular" but have namechanged as worried combination of details in previous posts and location makes me a bit too recognisable.

TIA

I used to wonder about those 4x4s myself, but of course they were absolutely vital in last month's snow and I will never criticise them again .

Eshermummy, there are some smaller prepreps than Rowan, Weston Green and Emberhurst. Both little, both nice and not pricey.

Eshermami

Looks like you have a daughter who attends Rowan and a son attending Shrewsbury (have I guessed right) - any reason why you chose not to have both at shrewsbury. I have a daughter and dilemma is where I send her...I loved shrewsbury over rowan but am torn because of the number of girls versus boys there !

Any guidance/thoughts appreciated on this?

nIKU

I have had 3 children go through Esher church School and can only say great things about the school. It is not a pushy, hot housing school at all. It is very caring and supportive, and they do get good results because of excellent teaching and because parents are very supportive of their childrens learning - children come out with confidence, respect for others and nutured. All the local state schools at primary and secondary level are excellent locally and there really isn't any reason to attend and independent school if you can't really afford it.

Elmbridge in particular is going through difficulties with school places both at primary and secondary level but these are being resolved with certain schools being expanded. Esher Church school has always been a popular school, in previous years you could get in without being a church goer, but it is getting harder to get in as there are more church attendees from the local parishes who want to send their child to a church school. Claygate primary is a very good school and you should def consider it.

Hope that helps

I agree with Whistler there are not enough secondary places in Elmbridge and unless we have another secondary school or expand the others where will the dcs go.Given the choas of two years ago I hope Surrey LEA is sorting something out!

To my very big surprise, we have just been offered a place for DS at Esher Church School for reception in Sep - do you have any insights into the development in the recent years? Still a caring school?
We only moved to Esher about 12 months ago, and DS now is so settled at Shrewsbury Lodge (which I had chosen as a pre-school option for the caring environment and the big playground :) ), that I am really worried about making the right options. DS2 is due in 1 months, so having a good state primary would help now doubt. If you go to ECS, from which age do you tutor? Sorry, very confused

ECS and Claygate are both brilliant primary schools. Both have facilities to die for, with Claygate having the edge being set in a little dip backing onto the park with its own nature reserve and pond, outdoor swimming pool, music centre, etc. Esher church has a stunning swimming pool too and grounds.
ECS is more academic; Claygate is more arty and creative.
Both are blessed with great catchments, so have a high percentage of children from stable, wealthy, motivated families. Claygate has a higher proportion of poorer children because they aren't selective (for Christian at ECS read middle class) and accept children from Chessington (who are perfectly lovely) and from the nearby traveller's camp (ditto lovely children.)

Friends with children at ECS despair of the endless print out homework and the lack of extra curricular stuff on the menu. (One friend said he was sad his daughter's school never did anything musical.) One year Claygate put on a trad Christian nativity but ECS didn't because they were preparing for Ofsted. The positive side of ECS is that they do challenge and encourage bright children. In my experience of Claygate, they didn't.

Claygate primary is like a non-stop party - outings and festivals, and endless excuses to cook, garden. dance, paint. They leave the academic consolidation up to parents. The children are very happy, very creative and expressive. But you are the one who must teach them to read, write, and learn their tables. It doesn't get done methodically or systematically there. Or didn't. It may have changed recently.

A high number of parents from both schools call in tutors to help their children into selective schools later on. The children from both schools do well. Lots get into Tiffin and local academic indies.

The schools are so different, and each a slightly extreme version - ECS more pushy academic and formal; Claygate exuberant and casual. As long as you add what the school is weak on, in either school you are likely to get very good results. Unless your child has SEN. Not heard great things about SEN at either school. Better off at Cranmere which is expanding soon.

HTH

cheers - very helpful. coming from a brainy - read boring and non musical - i will ask lots of questions around arty and music stuff as my son loves music, painting, singing, and i cannot really provide... (actually managed to get a tour of ECS tomorrow). Tiffin would be great!! Claygate not an option for us as too far away (sounds great though)

Hi,

I am currently in the process of relocating to Esher from Nottinghamshire and was hoping for some advice on schools in the area.

Our offer was only accepted last week and hopefully we are due to exchange in the next 2 - 3 weeks.

My son is 5 and is currently in reception class - I contacted Esher C of E last week as I ideally wanted to be able to walk him to school and was told they have no places available and that it is unlikely one will become available by September and so I am wondering where is best to try next. Location was really important to me as I currently drive him 10 miles to school each day and I find this has had a negative effect for playdates and socials etc. He is an only child and ideally I would really like him to go to school in the area where he lives but when I have looked there isn't another state option within walking distance.

I do not have any knowledge of the area and so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do know that most of the schools are of a very high standard but after that I am a bit lost...

Apologies for rambling mail...

You should be phoning Surrey and asking them where there are spaces rather than trawl round the schools yourself! I think most Esher/ claygate schools have good reps so you shouldn't need worry where you end up!

I doubt you'll have much choice, more where there is space. Phone the LA and see what your options are.