Moving from South Africa...choosing school and place to live??? Nightmare

[gailbee]

We're moving in the summer '11 from Johannesburg to UK. Advice and on the ground intelligence would be sooo great.

I have two sons (8 and 10) going into year 4 and year 6, and I've been surfing the net to look at private schools in the Surrey area - only private because I don't have an address and it seems to get into the good state schools you are not guarenteed a place.

I've narrowed down my search so far) to Ewell Castle School, Danes Hill, Parkside but I just don't know how these schools really are 'on the groun' and also to find a good school then to buy a house in a good area close by.....but I also need to commute into London for work and woulod ideally only want a 30 minute journey.

Any suggestions, advice/help etc. would be great!!!

Dozer,Ewell is quite mixed up to about year 2, but then tends to get more boy centric. That said, the girls all seem to get on fine, all the sport is mixed, they do netball for half a term and then rugby etc! The year groups are quite small, so they all get on together. I did not want a boys only school for my youngest, which is one of the reasons I went for ECS

There is a school in Claygate that the girl sisters of the boys in KWH used but I cant for the life of me recall the name. also one in Banstead and one in ashstead from memory.. Didnt ever get to search for them but didnt hear bad things about them

Thanks v much minestrone.

The one in ashstead is clfs.

Hi Minestrone and Dozer, all
So been to visit, just got back yesterday....... had a great time 500 miles later in a hired car. Saw a many number of schools and houses in the epsom, epsom downs, leatherhead, cobham areas - even looked at a school in Redhill (but that just seems to be too far out and away from the areas I know).

I do like epsom, ashtead, cobham and leatherhead and narrowed down schools - at the moment 1) Downsend (saw a great house in south leatherhead which we ar ekeen to gek) 2) Kingswood House 3) ewell castle......at the moment I am tending to downsend ;
downsend have good swimming all the way through & a lovely headmaster with a friendly feel to the school - if anyone knows of any current parents I could chat to about the school I would MOST appreciate it!!

kingswood house would also be fab just for the fact that they don't have strong swimming?? it's a tough one to decide on as I did realy like it!!

ewell castle does seem a lot more traditional but sweet - they are a little shourt on proper facilitoes i.e. the library doubles up as a classroom as they are running out of space but the head teacher seems lovely, she seesm to have all things at her fingertips

Decisions, decisions.

I am not sure what you mean about Kingswood house not having strong swimming when mine where there they swam several times a week in the summer (they have their own outdoor pool) in the summer we brought swimming costumes in Monday morning and got handed them back on the days they had been used with the expectation they where back the next day. (I am sure you have a valid concern I just cant claim I am understanding it do you mean they dont swm in winter?)

I can ask about friends for Downsend it is not a school I would have considered as we lived just down the road from their Lodge (in Epsom) and the school was not very helpful with the local residents hence we never looked at it as an option for our children. But as I still have friends in Epsom with school age kids it is not out of chance that one of them knows someone whom will come here. (I can put a message on facebook if you would like me to?)

If you move to Epsom get close enough to Glyn school that if your circumstances change you can get your sons in there. You never know what might change.

Hi Lonnie, thanks for the feedback re swimming at Kingswood House - yes it does seem swimming stops in winter and I was led to believe that the older year groups (my dd1 is going into year 6 and he swims competitively) do less swimming than the younger years (my dd2 who is going into year 4)? I will re-check though!!!!!!!

Any further feedback on Downsend (via FB) would be so much appreciated !!! as we have not yet committed to anything. Thank you.

ljb11 - Good to hear that you rate Glyn School this is valuable feedback and will consider this should we move into Epsom!

Glynn is a good school yes I would 2nd that comment.

I have put a comment up on my fb lets see if any we know comes forward

I dont know what they do for older years but I do know most schools will encourage any sports activity that a child is good in perhaps email and ask ?

Thanks Lonnie, I look forward to any further feedback.

Just another general question to all......Leatherhead and surrounds VS Redhill and surrounds as areas to live in?; this will then also helps us define the schools i.e. The Hawthorns vs Downsend??

Personally I would go for Redhill it is a nicer area and more things to do with kids. but then I have always had a weakness for that area. More specifically Reigate laughs..

Thanks Lonnie...I didn't drive around enough in that area, went to the Nutfiel Priary Hotel for a business meeting and that was just so gorgeous, and also popped into Redhill for a quick look and didn't look at any properties (should have!!), but other than that it seemed quite rural (which is probably what my DH would love...he says he wants to be away from people??!!)

To be honest I was so taken with the Hawthorns School and having come back, on reflection, although the area is that bit further away from friends etc. (Kingtson, Surbiton, Worcester Park) I need to gather more info; the houses seem to be good value for money?...it is only 35 mins on the train though to London - thinking aloud.......

Hi Gailbee,

I know this thread was started 9 years ago and you may have been done with schooling now. We're looking to choose a school in Surrey and would really like to know your experience of the schools and which one you chose. Thanks

Hi Bailbee

In the same boat!