Does anybody live in/know Reigate, Surrey?

[OzzieinLondon]

Would be interested to hear current thoughts on good primary schools in and around this area.
(+ places to live and places to avoid?)

Have seen a few old one's here but would love to know more.

Thanks,

Arse!
Think things may be changing a bit as they are changing the 'day boarder' status to 'flexi boarding' from next September. Will be keeping an eye out as quite like the idea of DD2 and DS2 going there. Are just applying for a place for DD2 at our 'local' school in MB for next Sept as thinking of returning to UK permanently then but quite like the idea of a few more years abroad and then DC3 and 4 to RAAS when we get back.
Might have to send boarding due to shrinking catchment

Mumoverseas - have just seen this thread, and wondered if I could ask your opinions about RAA, as you obviously have first-hand experience of your daughter being there?

DH & I went to their open day on Saturday, with a view to it being an option for DS1, who is currently in Year 6 elsewhere.

On paper/ DVD (!) it looks a fab school, but after our tour etc we came away distinctly 'underwhelmed' which I was quite surprised/ disappointed by, as I REALLY REALLY wanted it to be the right option for DS.

RAA just seemed rather bland really. There didn't seem to be much 'celebrating success' - the walls were blank and empty - hardly any work on display. The two 5th formers who showed us around (think they were a 'couple'!) were rather lack lustre. Talked about how they 'watched TV' between 4.30 - 6 pm (?) and 'couldn't be bothered' to turn up for after school activities.

I've seen the Head, and found him very inspirational, so I'm just wondering if we were unlucky?

The only person we know there is a girl who left her last school because she was terribly bullied, and seemed to have particular social issues (perhaps autistic?).

We live in north Reigate, less than a mile away, and it is our only real state option - the other school we would likely be allocated has just come out of special measures and still has considerable problems.

But DS is really rather academic, and I just worry that at RAA he would 'coast' get lazy...

I'd really appreciate your experience..

Hi Reigatemum, have replied to your private message (I hope)

For anyone else reading I must say you shouldn't think about RAA at all, it is rubbish! Only joking, just a bit worried about how popular it has become (in particular since the glowing report in the Times last week) and am worried about the shrinking catchment area as want to get DD2 and DS2 in there in a few years

oh, and DD loves the after school activities and they DON'T just sit and watch tv, certainly not in my DD's boarding house. They would get their arses kicked for not turning up for activities

Got your PM MumO - many thanks

What was the article in the Times - I missed that - do you have a link?

I lied, it was the Telegraph

www.raa-school.co.uk/article11Sep2010

Thanks - will have a look at that!

Hi, I am thinking of moving into this area with family and would like to know the current information about schools and good places to rent initially. My husband would be travelling south of Gatwick so I believe it shouldn't be a long travel journey.