Ripley Court vs Rydes Hill Prep Guildford (Or any others suggestions you might have)

[JammieMummy]

Hello All

I have signed on here to get some personal (or third hand) information about either of these schools. We are looking to send our daughter to a school which will provide her with a well rounded education including activities and subjects that other schools don't necessarily cover. I don't think any of the very academic schools would be right for her at this stage for a variety of reasons (so GHS, Tormead etc are out). DD is very bright but is quiet and rather egar to please so we worry that in the wrong environment she will either become a wall flower or a yes man and we want her to have time to form her personality a bit more before considering some of the more pressured environments.

If you have any information about either of these schools or good recommendations then please let me know. We live in Guildford but travel to work via M25 so both of these schools are good for us distance and travel wise.

Thank you again.

Manor House in Effingham (very good reports), St Teresa's (very mixed reports not best place for a very bright girl IMO), Glenesk (pre-prep only), Hoe Bridge (mixed reports). All fine to get onto the M25, St Teresa's a bit of pain up a hill but offer alot of school buses from everywhere.

You hear so many conflicting views of the schools - just go and visit them all and see where your daughter would fit best.

Because of all the girl schools the few co-ed schools are quite boy heavy.

Thank you for your suggestions Chestnut. We have already discounted most of those and are still on the fence a bit on Manor House (DH is not so keen) and it is not a "prep" school but a feeder to its own secondary school which we dont believe will give her the same options at 11.

Co-ed is not important but wanted more of a relaxed environment for now, to let her come into her own a bit. May move her on at 7 or wait until she is 11 depending on how she is getting on.

Does anyone have children or know anyone who has children at either of theses schools or a school that would meet these sorts of requirements? We may just be being too picky!! Two schools above are so different but also seem to have strengths which would really suit her.

I had two at Ripley and DD at Rydes Hill, out of the two I prefered Rydes Hill and my DD loved it. Not keen on the head at Ripley but of course that may change.
My DD then went on to Farnborough Hill and travelled by train right from the start.

Thank you NCIS. Do you mind me asking why you preferred Rydes Hill? I understand concerns re: head at Ripley, but the children seemed really relaxed and like they enjoyed school. It is good to have the opinion of someone who had children at the schools.

I think my DS's were happy at Ripley but I wasn't, or at least towards the end. It doesn't have the happy,family atmosphere that Rydes Hill had. My DD pops back into Rydes Hill from time to time and is always made welcome even though she's at uni now.
I can't imagine that happening at Ripley, it seems more like a conveyor belt and my sons have never expressed a a wish to go back although that may be just boys.
My DD is still friends with the girls she was at Rydes Hill with even those who went on to other schools and I think that this says something good about the school.

Thank you very much for that insight NCIS, it sounds like your daughter really enjoyed her time at Rydes Hill and that is the most important thing to us. I have to say my husband and I really appreciate your thoughts and experiences. We were very impressed with Rydes Hill. But find the decision as to which school to send DD to the hardest I think we have ever had to make.

Thank you again. JM x

It is very hard, I think Rydes Hill is a very family orientated school where each child treated as an individual and really cherished. Each of the girls seem to be known to all the teachers and when we meet teachers even now they always recognise my DD and ask how she's getting on, they seem genuinely interested.
Ripley always seemed more of a business once the present head took over although I will say he is a good salesman.

Hi JammieMummy I have two children, DD and DS at Ripley Court presently and it is the best decision we have ever made. They are very happy children and are doing well academically and socially. We have found it to be very friendly and the new Deputy Head is a fantastic addition to the team.
As a family we attend lots of school events run by the staff and the great Parents Association who are very inclusive of all.
Good luck!

We are planning on moving out of London to Surrey next Summer, need to be near A3 for commute to work and looking at Ripley, Ockham and Guildford. We have two daughers, one starts school next Sept and another in 2015. Can anyone give advice on best schools in this area? We have looked at Ripley, Hoe Bridge (too far), Guildford High School, Felton Fleet and are on the list for most of these but not sure which is best...any advice gratefully received

Just came across this and had to tell you about RH. I transferred my daughter there in Sept 2013 and within days they "got" her and she is absolutely soaring. She was not unhappy at her previous school (Frensham Heights) but the bar was too low there - in every way. They have discovered her gifts and talents and are nurturing them beautifully. She is so much happier it is barely believable. The head at RH is a wonderful woman who sets a brilliant top down example. A RH education is a priceless gift.