Schools in Surrey hills

[charmag]

We are looking to move into the area and need to make some decisions on schools. Unfortunately I think it is going to be difficult to get all the kids into preferred state schools 'in year' so also looking at private. Can anyone give any insight into Belmont, longacre and duke of Kent and any good primaries we might pursue?
TiA

I've visited 2 out of 3 of these schools recently. It depends what you want and what your children are like. Longacre is a very successful prep school getting children into all the best schools at 11+. There will be s new head starting in Jan next year I think. It did seem to be a bit of an exam factory. Belmont the head is impressive but I've had friends remove their children from the school, it's very small and not as academic as most in the area but not that nurturing either. Duke of Kent v small school, often don't have places, found register quite frosty! Doesn't prepare for 11+ as goes through to 16. Other schools to consider are Cranmore, Hoe Bridge, Lanesborough, Tormead, St catz and GHS. A lot of the village schools are really suffering from decrease in state funding, would be surprised they don't have spaces as many have not been full in reception for the last few years.

What year will they be entering in September?

Thanks for your responses. We will need a year 1 and 2 place in sept 2018. We visited Belmont and I really liked it but the more research I do the more I find about it not being very academic. Does anyone have any insider knowledge on this? Actually, come to think of it, how does one assess the academic performance of a private prep school? I will have a look at some of the others you mentioned quirkygoose, thank you.

loads of prep schools in the area depends what you want single sex/sporty/academic etc... I would be surprised if the state schools are full those years though.

There may be spots in the village infant schools but I don't want them to change again in a year or two. We went to see wonersh and shamley green and they said very unlikely to get the places we need. We are looking for a school where the children's happiness comes first but obviously want them to do well academically too. Hoping there is somewhere that offers both! Co-Ed would be better but I would also consider all boys (we have 2 boys and a girl). Is longacre considered more academic than Belmont? How do people actually judge it???

Actually, Belmont is a very supportive and nurturing school. Everyone who sits Common Entrance passes. It's a lot smaller than Longacre. They don't sell themselves as highly academic, yet their children do well, and really enjoy their time there, and a lot of the children get scholarships to their chosen secondary schools (which are chosen based on the child, and not because the school feeds into a school. They are not a feeder school to any school, but send children to the most appropriate school for the child and the family). They also have children with additional needs, such as dyslexia, and provide one on one support.

Seeing the children in exam week (the whole of the school from Yr 3 up sits exams in common entrance week) is amazing. They are all so calm and together. Noone is stressing, because they've been taught how to sit exams from yr 3 onwards, so that when it matters, it isn't a big deal and can be approached in a calm manner.

I know nothing about this but drove past Aldro the other day and oh my God Stunning! Lucky kids. Didn't know that was down the road from me!!