Surrey - Independent/Private Girls' Schools

[Kato34]

Just moving to Dorking, and have picked up a flier in the local cinema for an open day in early March at a private girls school called St Teresa's... does anyone know this school, what it's like... review in Good Schools Guide is good and looking at the GCSE and A Level results they are pretty good also... I liked the fact that it seems a friendly school and not narrowly academically focussed, but seemingly enough to get decent results... my two daughters I would like them to get a balanced well-rounded education, but preferably not co-ed as I'd like them to focus purely on their work/hobbies/friendships etc... other schools I knew more about before moving like Manor House, Guildford High, Tormead... seem either very academic or not to go up to 18, I wanted my daghters really to go to one school from prep to secondary, not possible with us moving now but can cope with that...

Anyone any advice on St Teresa's and other schools in the Dorking, Leatherhead, and Guildford areas... I will go to as many open days as I can... but local knowledge would be great...

I grew up in Surrey and went to Guildford High - it was fantastic but yes very academically focussed. Tormead a bit less so. Manor House is a lovely lovely school in an amazing setting which will genuinely get the best out of a girl, especially if she's not the type who would thrive in a big brain factory!

COI: very close relative was employed there for a very long time - but then that's why I know the school is lovely. And the girls often like the opportunity to go somewhere different for sixth form to prepare them more for outside live (and co-ed if wanted)

I know less about St T's as it was boarding but think it has an ok reputation and again lovely grounds but sort of in the middle of nowhere so it depends on your priorities really.

HTH

You need to go and visit. Lots of girls do move on at 16 anyway, as they want a more mixed environment, to do different courses, or just a change. St Theresa's is fine, I know girls there. The best thing I can say is they have some sensible teachers who got them to wear PE bottoms when they went to "The Life of Christ" at Wintershall; I was furious that my DCs school wanted them to wear normal school uniform skirts (not suitable imho for sitting on grass outside all day).
Manor House is not an exam factory btw. Tormead and GHS both produce quite well rounded girls (although GHS's reputation isn't so much that, it does do very well with the girls it has).
There is also St John's in Leatherhead, from 13. Lots of girls I know consider that at least for sixth form.