Nightmare - School closing down from September Woking area

[Krisis]

We got a letter yesterday to say that my daughter's school is closing as of September. She goes to a very small private school outside Woking, and we now have to try and find her a place elsewhere.

The real added nightmare is that we moved her from a state school as she was so unhappy, and she has absolutely loved where she currently is.

We went and looked at Ripley Court, but it is so hard to choose a school with no pupils in.

A lot of the other local private schools have no spaces, so we are looking at Ripley Court, St Georges in Weybridge or possibly Notre Dame.

Anyone have any advise, or know anything about these schools.

My daughters old school was so small and nurturing, I'm just worried she will be lost in these bigger schools.

I don't know the Woking area, but in my area there are plenty of very small village infant and primary state schools. They are usually part of a cluster and share resources with other schools.

So maybe you can find something similarly small and nurturing in the state sector?

A friend always speaks very highly of Hailstead? Or if you are more Guildford Side, what about Rydes Hill. In your situation I would phone all the schools you are interested in, there will be staff in at sometime over the summer. I would also contact the LA and apply for a place in state schools.
I also know someone who teaches at Notre Dame and speaks very highly of it.

Not all state schools are the same. A bit like private schools really!

Do phone your LEA to see what state have spaces for your dd's year and at least think about them, there's no harm in checking.

So sorry to hear this. What year will your daughter be in September and what is it about her current school that she/you like so much versus her old school?
I know someone who used to teach at Ripley Court until recently who absolutely loved its ethos, teaching methods and nurturing environment.

I would also second looking at both private and state schools - I have friends that moved a very unhappy daughter from private to state with 100% improvement, so this really can cut both ways.

What's the name of her school that is closing down?

Thanks everyone for you responses. I have contacted the LEA as well, and will apply through the state system as well, I have also had a break down of where there are spaces, and unfortunately there is nothing close enough to us.

My son is actually at the state school where my daughter was unhappy, and I do really believe that some schools work for some and some work for others.

I have appointments at about 4 schools, but sadly I only found out about the school closing on Friday at 2, so could only phone around some. More phone calls on Monday, I think!

The school she was at was very very small and is Oakfield.

That is such a shame. I am currently looking at schools for my DD and on paper the school looks lovely. I wonder why they are closing. Financial difficulties?

sorry - I should have said I'm looking at schools in the Woking/Guildford area.

There are schools which have been taken over by the parents, so it may be something worth looking into. Sadly, a lot of small schools are suffering because parents just can't afford the fees and they have such tight budgets that they can't survive without the income. It sounds so stressful for you.

Krisis, if you tell us what year DD will be going into in September and roughly where you live there may be parents/teachers on here who know of movement within local schools near you. Some parents do not tell the school they are leaving right up until the last day of term in the summer and I doubt this is factored into the SCC admissions data yet.

Thanks to everyone that has replied. Oakfield basically has gone into administration, unlike many private schools it was actually run as a company rather than a charity.

We wive in West Byfleet, so thanks springrain any local information would be very useful.

Does anyone know anything about Cobham Free School? (should I start a separate thread for that one? Sorry new to Mumsnet!)

Krisis - have pm'd you

just remembered you are new to mumsnet - I have sent you a private message, if you are logged in you can scroll up to the top of the page and you will see an in box next to the log in......

Cobham free (primary) opens to reception year only this September. Long waiting list! The proposed secondary never got off the ground.

Sorry to hear about your school closure.

When this happens, other independent schools are often very keen to to pick up pupils and so will have special open days and assessment days. They often waive the registration fee, so you can try for several schools at one time. It is unlucky to happen during the holidays. Keep looking at school websites to see of they have any messages for parents from your school.

I have heard good things about St Andrews and Feltonfleet, although I have no idea if they take girls.

Have you thought of Ripley school, the state one? It goes through to 11 now. Or have you considered Manor house? Although that might be awkward for you.

I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter's school is closing and can empathise with you. I worked at Rowan Preparatory School in Claygate for five years until I left to look after my baby. I can highly recommend it, it is a little hidden gem of a school, small and nurturing with under 300 girls and not far from Weybridge. It is such a bright and happy place and I may sound biased but I have registered my daughter to attend there. I highly recommend a visit and am happy to contact the Headteacher to arrange this for you and your daughter if you wish, let me know.
Stella

Hi Gabsid. My children are at Hurst Lodge in Ascot, and we love it. It is very similar to Oakfield and they take boys and girls from 3 years to 18. The class sizes are small and the teachers are great. There's a video prospectus on their website - www.hurstlodge.co.uk
Hope you get something sorted out soon. x

Hi - I'm sure you're already aware of this but just in case I thought I'd let you know that Halstead school are putting on a special open day for former Oakfield pupils tomorrow morning at 10am.

Krisis,

if you are close enough to Cobham - Notre Dame is worth a look. I know two girls who moved there from state schools where they'd been bullied and they are so happy there. Seems like a very nurturing school.

Rowan and Notre Dame both cuddly schools.

Shocked to hear about oakfield! Might be worth a look at some of the other local state schools; if you are in wb and unhappy with them then maybe look at byfleet primary or st marys. They don't have such good ofsted reports but I think think are possibly more nurturing (DD1 only starting in Sept so don't have first hand experience yet).

Sorry just re read and seen there aren't state spaces locally. In that case i agree about notre dame, have heard good things.