Chinthurst School

[muminneed85]

Would love to hear any feedback, both positive and negative, on Chinthurst School. We have been given a place for Year 3 in September for my daughter. We would be moving her out of a state school in Redhill that we love, but feel it would give a better chance of her getting into Reigate Grammar School (it is now officially a feeder school so if bright enough automatic place in Year 5 with no 11+). My son would start Reception in September 2023. We have the offer and need make a final decision in the next week or so as another 2 or 3 children on the waiting list. Thanks!

Hi. I don’t have any experience of Chinthurst school to help you but was wondering if you mind me asking you if you consider Reigate St Mary’s and if so why you have chosen Chinthurst over it if so? I’m asking as looking at these schools myself.
Thanks

We did look at both. We'd looked at Reigate St Mary's back in 2018 when originally deciding between private and state school. We found we didn't like it enough to choose it over the excellent state school we went on to pick. It felt very much that if you weren't in the 80% that goes on to Reigate Grammar then you were a bit overlooked. We had no idea how academic our daughter would be and our son was a newborn so even less of an idea. Due to a few promotions at work we feel we can entertain the idea of private primary again. We would have looked at Reigate St Mary's (simply as approaching point where they select for RGS - as that's our ultimate goal, hence not looking at other Private Schools) but they didn't have room, they suggested Chinthurst which was a blessing in disguise as we much preferred the feel to it. Chinthurst only joined the group in 2018 hence not being aware of it before. They are expanding from 1 to 2 form, hence the space being available. The pastoral care is excellent and as not every child goes onto RGS as it's still a new connection and that bit further to travel (it's currently around 60-70% RGS and a mix of state grammars and other selective independents) it doesn't seem so RGS or bust if they don't make the cut. They also prepare for the 11+ if you don't choose RGS and want somewhere else. I'd suggest visiting both. We live in Merstham so equidistant to RSM and Chinthurst. More of a pain when one child in RGS and one in Chinthurst but with a bus service to RGS from practically outside our door it hopefully shouldn't be too bad! If you are on Facebook it's worth posting on the We Love Reigate page for more opinions. You have the option of posting anonymously too. Good luck with the decision. Wonderful to have the choice of private as well as state but does make decisions more tricky! Would love to know what you pick in the end.

Hello. @muminneed85 - Just seen this old post and wondered if you ended up sending your children to Chinthurst? My little boy is currently in a state school, reception and not having the best experience so just looking at other options.
Thanks

Yes we did and do not regret the decision one bit! They've been amazing with my daughter, now in Year 4, and my son is now in Reception and loving it too. The Reception classes are both at 18 each so might be full, but you can always see. Some people move out of the area and they do slowly increase class sizes until they reach the max of 22 in Year 3. If you are keen on RGS and if Chinthurst is now full, you could also look at Micklefield. It's just joined the RGS family too. If they do as we've been promised as parents and still keep sending 60-80% of kids from both RSM and Chinthurst to RGS as well as similar numbers from Micklefield, it's going to be even harder to get into RGS if you don't go to one of those schools. So if RGS is your goal then I'd focus on those schools. Another thing to consider is if Labour get in school fees might go up by up to 20% due to adding on VAT. Something to factor in your decision. Starting at RSM, Chinthurst or Micklefield at Year 3 could be another option if fees are tight and you want RGS as secondary. My daughter is still playing catch up though so might not get the early offer so it is a gamble. That's mostly COVID learning and the fact she wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until she went to Chinthurst (her state school said she was 'too bright' to have SEN issues...). Fingers crossed she'll get there and still get the early offer. Sorry to hear your child is struggling in their current school. I'm biased but do think both this Reception Year and current Year 4 (COVID Reception class) were particularly hit education wise. I've been hearing a lot of stories of really shocking behaviour and lack of potty training in the current Reception all due to lockdowns. Doesn't seem too bad in my son's class thankfully, but parents from my daughter's old school were saying how much this year's reception kids were affected. Good luck and keen to hear what you go for in the end!

Thank you SO much for the response and fantastic to hear both your children are enjoying the school and doing well. Academically, my son is doing well in reception and eventually, if possible I would like him to go to RGS. However, the main reason I am looking elsewhere now is the pastoral care at his current school is shocking. There are too many children and they simply cannot keep and eye on them all - he's coming home with cuts and bruises most days. He is a summer baby so I know that will not be helping but I need to move him somewhere smaller. Thanks for the insight into Micklefield - that's great to know and I will investigate. I will keep you posted.

Sounds awful 😔 Micklefield definitely one to add to the list I think if Chinthurst is full, also might suit you if closer? If you aren't worried about senior school routes I've heard good things about Hawthorns. But we did discount as weren't keen on a school that went to 13 and no direct link to a senior school. Good luck with wherever you choose!

I need to share a warning for parents considering Reigate St Mary’s. The school knows very early on which children they think will get into Reigate Grammar. Those they believe will thrive get all the attention, while others are sidelined. After years of trust and fees, we were left in the dark until it was too late. This system is unfair and emotionally damaging. Ask direct questions early, because it’s not a level playing field.

I've replied on another thread. Sorry about your experience. Fortunately for us Chinthurst is honest and open about grades from Year 1 onwards when first assessments are ready and will help get all children school places regardless of in the RGS group or not. Your experience sounds familiar to what I've heard from other RSM parents where they don't tell grades and say a vague tracking or not tracking. Chinthurst Will tell parents the scores as well as what is needed to get into RGS, Surrey Hills and a long list of state grammar and selective independents. We've been hugely happy there and the SEN care is amazing. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with RSM. I can't comment on RSM or Micklefield. But I've been so happy with Chinthurst.