Help needed - State Primary Schools for West Clandon - any advice??

[jasminder1]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can help, we are thinking of moving to West Clandon, (currently live in Cobham) and wanted to know what our options would be for primary schools (state) in this area - can you go to Merrow CofE or Burpham Junior or is it too far, any help greatly appreciated especially from anyone who lives in village and sends their DS or DD to primary school??, I know there is Clandon school in the village but it doesn't look great however if anyone sends their DS/DD there I would also love to hear their views on it.

I don't live in the area but have friends that do. I understand Merrow has a pretty tight catchment although some changes to the Ofsted scores in recent years has led to parents changing their first choice of primary school - can't remember which way round (basically the formerly outstanding graded school is now good and vice versa). Also, there was some upset regarding 'feeder' status for the Merrow infants / junior school, think the LA was considering changing the feeder status but backed down in the face of parental opposition. Think there is a state infant school in the Clandon area (with a swimming pool if that gives you a clue - don't know the name) where nearly all the children progress to the independent sector, which may cause problems if you then need to look for a state junior school.

I live near there and would think that you would also have options of Ripley primary (which was an infant school, but is adding a class each year to take it through to year 6) and the Raleigh in West Horsley, which has children from Clandon in some years. Both have good reputations locally and probably just as easy to get to as Guildford schools. Sorry but I don't know Clandon infant school itself.

Hi, thanks for your replies both have been very helpful, I think I will ring Merrow school and see what they say, I hadn't even thought about Ripley primary so will also give them a call.

My ds is at Clandon School and we are very happy with it. Excellent teaching, small classes of about 15 per year, and a happy atmosphere. There is a small swimming pool on site, and after half term in the summer term, all the children will go swimming every afternoon.

We think it is like a private school (apart from lack of playing fields) but you don't have to pay for it.

The only problem with the school, and the reason they don't get more applications, is that there is no one school they all go on to. It is not true that they mostly go private - for example in the current year 2, only one child is going private.

TuttiFrutti thankyou very much for the info on Clandon school - from the way you decsribe it it sounds lovely, I spoke to the school today and they seem really friendly and were very positive. We are in Clandon today looking at a house so I will also go to the school and have a look. They did tell me that applications for the school were on the rise - this year they have had the most ever. Fingers crossed we like the house and the school!

Clandon school is R-2 as is Merrow. If you are C of E, depending on where you live you could apply to go on to Bushy Hill (but I think its getting harder to get in there) or St Bede's in Send. It is years 3-6 which are much tricker. I am also not sure which senior school you would get into, is there preference for George Abbot?

Clandon children normally get into George Abbot for secondary as it is their neearest school.

nearest......