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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Chinthurst School - Tadworth

39 replies

Streets1 · 03/12/2013 10:01

Hi all - I am looking to move my children into the private sector - I have two boys, one currently in Y1 and one due to start school Sept 2014.

Since I am doing this quite late, Chinthurst School in Tadworth is the only school in the area that currently have vacancies for both - the only other route is to move one into a private school and sit patiently for a place for the other (most waiting list for my 3 year old are huge).

I am booked to look at Chinthurst in the new year but wanted some first hand opinions about the school. In addition the one thing that concerned me was why did it have so many vacancies? If anyone can help it would be much appreciated

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Anneka123 · 11/12/2013 00:02

I have had 3 boys go through Chinthurst. All very different boys but school was very good for them. Be careful as nowadays many private schools are run by big companies - Chinthurst run by Charitable Trust, so all the money goes into Children's education and not coffers of shareholders. Reason they have places is because Chinthurst school is growing due to popularity - doesn't have big class sizes, so spaces as adding more classes so can keep the teacher pupil ratios low (if it was run by 'big business' it would be reducing class numbers and increasing pupil per class count as another well known school run by a large education business is doing in the area). To be honest have your children have a taster day at Chinthurst and let them/ you decide - nothing to lose.

TwoBoysItsNoisey · 11/12/2013 16:01

Thank you - very helpful. I am going to look round in the new year but very useful explaination

chattyone · 14/12/2013 19:12

I suggest you go to the school website and find the Chronicles. This week the Head of Pre-Prep has left and so has Jon Albert - who was the Senior Master (that was a post he took up in September). Also, worth noting the Head said farewell to "all the pupils who are leaving" at the end of the Chronicle.

KazBee · 05/01/2014 20:38

It is so easy to start rumours of untruth and innuendo, it is true Chinthurst's head pre prep has moved onto a promotion, as have the majority of Chinthurst staff, as Chinthurst builds and promote outstanding teachers which is why they can do this and support them in their aspirations. Each has moved forward in their careers for them and their families. Can anyone blame them for that! to replace them they have a teacher that is respected across the teaching profession as one of the best in Surrey, and a whole body of sporting professionals for their new sporting academy .
I will not use names a do not feel that is appropriate for this forum, my sons class is now full, and what a superb class it is, I have so many complements on my sons behaviour and manners and well as doing very well I remain to be a proud parent of Chinthurst School.
Oh and not wishing our leavers...as 'Our Seniors' farewell and good luck for their new school and future , wouldn't that be unforgivable!

NK5c9065dX1230eaffdff · 05/01/2014 20:51

Hi
I have two children at the school who are both exceptionally happy, and I can highly recommend it, particularly if you want a school where the emphasis is on the individual development of each child with a family ethos. There is certainly not a 'bums on seats' ethos at Chinthurst.

Chattyone is right in that there has been a recent change of headmaster and that the Sports Director has left, but he has been at the school for 11 years, and has accepted a promotion at a much larger Prep school, so there's nothing unusual about that.

There are lower numbers of pupils in the higher end of the school but this does not affect either of my children's year groups at all. The pre-prep is buzzing and now has 2 classes in Reception and 2 classes in Year 1! I read somewhere that it was the fastest growing prep school in Surrey, and I think it is almost at capacity for reception in 2014.

My advice is that you need to go and look for yourself, and make a decision based on your own children. I would ask the school yourself about any concerns you might have regarding pupil numbers. I also know of only 3 pupils who left in December, and 2 of them belong to the Director of Sport who is taking them with him to his new school!

I'd go and have a look yourself and make a decision then.

TwoBoysItsNoisey · 06/01/2014 16:06

Thank you for your comments - I am looking at the school in Jan and I have to say that I m very much looking forward to it - in the most part down to the wonderful comments from parents made on this site. I am after a school that can give individual attention to my both of my sons education and by the sounds of it Chinthurst may be the one. I am of course looking at other schools too - but your comments have helped put my mind at rest about any concerns I had about Chinthurst - so thank you

KazBee · 06/01/2014 18:38

TowBoysItsNoisey, I can't agree more I would look at surrounding schools as they are all have something excellent to offer, it is such a personal thing choosing a school and it should be something that feels right to you as a family.
Happy New Year and enjoy your journey to whats right for you:)

TwoBoysItsNoisey · 30/01/2014 11:18

In case anyone reads this in the future I just wanted to say that I have now visited Chinthurst and hope for my boys to start there in September. It is a lovely school and not at all a "school in trouble" like someone on this thread suggested. Yes it has had its down times but they are firmly behind them and it is now a thriving beautiful school at which I am sure that my boys will be very happy. Thank you to everyone that took the time to answer my posts and I look forward to becoming part of the Chinthurst family very soon

sarah00001234 · 01/03/2014 15:53

Hi,
Can anyone help? My son is due to start at Chinthurst School, Tadworth in September and I have just heard at a birthday party that the main site has been sold to a developer. I've checked on land registry and it was sold in December. I am furious about this as I was very worried about sending him there looking at their accounts but was assured that because they own their buildings they have no financial problems. I feel tricked. I'll obviously call them first thing Monday and get my deposit back but just wondering if anyone knows what is going on?

TwoBoysItsNoisey · 03/03/2014 13:20

I have contacted the school and also a governor of the school about this issue. There is no question of the school closing down. In addition it has not been sold to a developer. They have entered a lease agreement like many other school and business. I am getting more information about this but wanted to reply ASAP to squash any rumors. My husband work in large corportate property finance and this is not unusual - nor is it a sign that a company/school is in financial trouble. Anyone that has any concerns should call the school - they are more than happy to answer question on this. (sarah 00001234 I have tried to message you direct but for some reason mumsnet is not letting me).

Concorde1 · 03/03/2014 15:14

Chinthurst is a wonderful school and is definitely NOT closing. I've lost count how many times over the years I have heard from mis-infomed, biddy bodies that schools I am planning to send my children to are closing or are in financial trouble. I do wish they would get their facts straight. I would highly recommend Chints. My son is in Yr 7 and cannot wait to get to school every day. He will be bereft when he leaves next year - and so will my husband and I.

whattodoforthebest2 · 03/03/2014 15:17

My DSs went to Chinthurst and it was a wonderful school. I know there have been a number of staff changes but the ethos was excellent and they loved it there.

KJRS · 03/03/2014 16:53

I don't use this site but felt compelled to register and give feedback. Chinthirst is a fantastic school. The two members of staff that left, one of whom was there for 11 years have been replaced with fantastic staff. My children are so happy and cant wait to get to school. They have huge respect for their teachers and although id like to take the credit, the school has taught them fantastic morals and impeccable manners. A visit to the school for so that you may see for yourself and let your children/child see for themselves rather than be persuaded by silly comments.

KJRS · 03/03/2014 16:57

So annoying my phone always changes Chinthurst to Chinthirst!

chattyone · 03/03/2014 17:15

To quell the qualms and misinformation - the UK Land Registry (Title Number: SY99128) as of today shows the proprietor of Chinthurst School, 52 Tadworth Street, Tadworth, KT20 5QZ as being J H Lorimer Ltd (which in turn is owned by Paam Investments Limited). The property was acquired by sale on 2nd December 2013 for a price which I do not intend to list here - but it was a significant sum of money. That sale is listed as Title Absolute dated as 6th January 2014 on the registry.

The charges register lists a lease agreement between Chinthurst Educational Trust Limited and JH Lorimer Limited with a registry entry of 14th January 2014.

It may interest some on here to be informed that Paam Investments Limited also own various other businesses including Just Another Property Limited.

So, according to the official UK Land Registry Chinthurst School now no longer owns its own land but leases it and the new freeholder is an organisation which does include property development interests.

That is, of course, assuming the UK Land Registry has the facts correct.

chattyone · 03/03/2014 17:36

DSs - I assume that is daughters. Weird. Because Chinthurst was a boys only school for the last 50 years until girls were allowed back to the school in 2012 according to the Local Guardian.

whattodoforthebest2 · 03/03/2014 17:41

No, Chatty, 2 sons

lillies0000 · 03/03/2014 17:45

Chattyone you are coming over as malicious now...this is all detail that really doesn't take away from the school wanting to invest in the exactly the same way others have down so, why are you so interested in running this line of enquiry?

What do you have to gain?

chattyone · 03/03/2014 17:48

Not sure how 2DSs becomes two sons but there you go.

chattyone · 03/03/2014 17:49

Not malicious but people deserve the facts and not to be misinformed if they are planning to spend thousands a year on their child's education. What, you have to ask, do people have to gain by covering up the truth???

whattodoforthebest2 · 03/03/2014 17:53

AFAIAA DS stands for Darling Son - am I wrong? What else is DSs?

TwoBoysItsNoisey · 03/03/2014 17:59

Chattyone - if people deserve the fact then I suggest you get your facts straight too. Chinthurst have done a sale and leaseback - perfectly ok and does not suggest financial trouble. Ask anyone in the finance sector or property sector (my husband works in property finance so I am well informed). In addition I think you will find that this is just for half the site.

I suggest you find something to post about and leave Chinthurst alone. I fr one will still be sending my children there and I think that anyone that looks at this in the future will just see how malicious you are been

luckyone123 · 03/03/2014 18:06

chattyone you know what they say about assume...make an ass out of u and me lol

I for one have visited the school and it is superb, if anyone has toddlers go along to the toddler group on a Thursday morning and get a feel for it yourself. The pupils are always so polite and courteous, lovely school, staff and pupils.

NK5c9065dX1230eaffdff · 03/03/2014 18:14

I find it exceptionally surprising that a growing school with 5 large independent secondary schools visiting one evening next week for a parents evening is hardly a school on the brink of closure!! The secretarial post is also fixed term contract to take on some additional work, so again, nothing to worry about it. I find it staggering that people without children at the school (or no longer at the school) continue to stir up gossip at a birthday party........The governors have sent a reassuring letter today to parents in relation to this 'gossip', "quelling all the qualms and misinformation"!

whattodoforthebest2 · 03/03/2014 18:15

I didn't realise Jon Albert had left - he was an excellent sports coach - in fact DS2 (who's 19 now) bumped into him on the tube last week, tapped him on the shoulder to say "Hi" - DS is 6'2", JA is about 5'10" - he was quite surprised when he realised who it was.

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