Primary v private Guildford

[Pearcie]

We are currently considering where to send our DD (3 years with an August birthday) for primary school next year. Our closest primary is Pewley Down of which we hear very good reports and liked when we went to the open day. Our next closest are St Nicholas and Sandfield. What we can't judge is how they compare to the private schools. We have her down for GHS and Tormead and whilst i appreciate the culture of these schools are different it would be great to hear from people who have experience of any of the schools.

No experience of the state schools, but GHS is excellent. It was in the top 10 in UK for results when I was there 12 years ago and still is IIRC. I loved it. Tormead also good, a bit more snobby in my experience though. No reason why you shouldn't try state first then move across to private if you're unhappy or just wait and move her across for senior school.

Lots of kids go on from PD and Holy Trinity to private schools. GHS used to list it as a feeder, so does RGS (and I know several girls at Tormead too).

The schools are all very very different in character and ethos, so I would think it would be simple to look at them and decide which approach you would like most.

I agree that all the schools are very very different - although of course Tormead and GHS get to choose if they want your daughter so you can just try it and see.

Where do you think your daughter would fit best? My children would not fit in well at Pewley Down in my opinion.

How easily can you afford the school fees? Do you have/plan to have any other children and can afford to send them all privately. it is quite an undertaking to think you have to pay 4 to 18.

How close are you to the state primary schools are you very likely to get into your chosen school.

My SIL has sent their 3 boys and 1 girl to Hoebridge. They seem to love it but I don't much about it. The eldest has now gone onto RGS this year and loves it.

If we could afford private school, I think I would always go private if it was a nice school.

Fiddledee why do you say your children wouldn't fit into Pewley Down? Am pretty sure we would get in as it would only be a few minutes walk. Our daughter is quite shy and i worry she might get completely lost in a large class.

Good to know Pewley Down and Holy Trinity are viewed as feeders.

Pewley Down just not structured enough for my kids we felt. If she is shy Tormead may be the better fit, if my DD was very shy I would not be putting in for the GHS assessments to be honest.

Thanks Fiddledee. That is my worry - we have just received the letter for the assessment from GHS and i am not sure she would be happy staying in a room of people she didn't know. Tormead seem to package the assessment day in a slightly more 3 year old friendly way.
Re Pewley, i have heard the same from someone else and this is what has given us a worry. We didn't necessarily get that impression on the open day but you can only tell so much in a visit. However, as this is our eldest child we don't really know what is the norm in how structured reception classes are.

If you are considering Pewley Down you should try and go to visit Holy Trinity Junior(they now operate [http://www.htpd.surrey.sch.uk/ as one]
I have visited HT in a professional capacity and it is an exceptional place if the ethos is right for your family.

oh for goodness sake!!

I have a friend thats dd has just completed reception year at Tormead. It was very un-pushy indeed in terms of progress made. I was quite surprised. I've not yet asked if things changed in yr1 - I'm guessing they do. The dd was very happy having been very shy at nursery and teachers had alot of time to spare for parents, keeping them informed. I would have been a bit frustrated by the very slow approach to beginning reading - but that might suit others.

GHS they get taken into 3/4 different rooms with 3/4 different teachers. I am only "subjecting" my daughter to this as she is a very confident and articulate girl. She will think its fun and enjoy it, she won't want to leave (i will be a gibbering wreck in a coffee shop!)

I agree Tormead and St Catz (I presume you haven't applied) is a more fun assessment but still a small class of strange girls and strange teachers.

If you don't like large class sizes there are lots of other private schools around guildford that are non-selective entry.

You have to look at your child and the school and assess the fit.

Also remember all these private girls school have another form entry at 7+ and you may have a better idea what your daughter needs from a school so going state and seeing how it works out and then possibly shifting at 7 may be a good idea.

Maybe completely irrelevant but have you considered the logistics of getting to separate schools if you have another child and it's a boy?

I only ask because I have a good friend who fell in love with a school for her DDs, started her DD1 there but then had a 3rd who was a DS! The nearest boys school was 10miles in the other direction so she had a nightmare of a school run.

Btw, is it GHS that do the 5 children around a table with 4 toys at the 4+? I'm sure that's one of the Guildford schools.

I just love Longacre in Shamley Green. I fell in love with it when I saw it - particularly the Kindergarten year - mentioning non selective schools made me think of it. I know plenty of people that send onto academic schools from it but its not selective.

Can anyone tell us any more about Pewley Down?

My DC all went to PD. I loved it. Go and ask to see it on a normal school day (not this week but maybe after half-term).
It is a wonderful school, but if you are going to be freaked by the eccentric approach don't apply. My youngest was there when they did the Great Fire of London which ended with burning Pudding Lane (made out of cardboard) with the fire brigade in attendance.
The head of RGS (and his predecessors) speak very highly of Pewley and HT. I know ex-pupils at RGS, Reeds, various prep-schools, Frensham, Cranleigh, GHS, Tormead, St Catz, St Thereseas, Manor House and a few others. So academincally they get there its just another route, and no conventional. It is also a Christian school (not anti-evolution but God is mentioned a lot, although there are Jemwish, Muslim, Hindu, and Atheist background children). PD will actually officially close on 1st April, and then reopen as a C of E school the next day.

I totally love the school, but I can understand people who don't. You really have to visit and talk to the staff and see if it is right for you. (I love the Deputy head of PD btw. and think she is an amazing Infant school teacher.)

BTW Pewley and HT are not responsible for my typing skills (or lack of them) :)

I know this may be too late (GHS entrance exams today!) but about guildford high and shyness-
two of my three daughters were incredibly shy- one I would be shocked if she uttered a word aged 3 when she went for her assesment, to anyone at all!(this was about 10 years ago shes now in seniors!) but she was the right ability and got a place (a bit of a suprise as she went in crying with teddy!), i don't know what the new GHS head is like for the juniors and what the assesment is like these days so things may be different.

I would say seniors certainly has had excellent pastoral care and my daughter certainly isn't the extremely shy girl who began in reception 10+ years ago!
It's academic but also very caring and a lot of support and encouragement.

Did your daughter do the assesment today? How did she get on?