MOVING FROM LONDON TO SURREY

[ElleBon]

Hi everyone
just joined mumsnet as have found various blogs and views very helpful. decided to join to get some to the point feedback on the issues that im unsure about.
moving from London to surrey-Virginia water area to live and one of the two independent schools for our 4year old boy (the little one just turning two this week). Cant decide between Lambrook school in winkfield row and Hall Grove near bagshot/sunningdale. have visited both but would really appreciate if anyone had first hand experience with either. have to confirm by end of week with the chosen school.
Also, house wise (renting to start off) -Virginia water SO expensive so have thought of maidenhead but the nice areas are too far from the station -DH has to commute to central London.
Please let mw know your thoughts
thanks

How come all of this has come to a head so late Elle? Have you only just decided to move?

We didn't know we were moving until April as DH got a new job, but luckily prep school education comes as part of the package so we didn't have to worry about that. I'd has DS's name down at Lambrook since he was 2!

No school will be prefect and no school as big as Lambrook will suit everybody. There are unhappy parents at EVERY school. It seems a shame to be rushing the decision though. Where would your DS be going if you didn't move?

we were in THE most beautiful, THE most adorable country in the world-the US of A (as my DH calls it). moved back and it is obviously too late for schools as obviously its done since birth for the best schools. so as exciting as I find this school hunting, unfortunately time doesn't allow for excitement!!!!!!!! we would be staying in London where we are had it not been for the competition! and the state schools in London-lets not even mention it! joke-is an understatement!!!!!

Ah, that explains things. Where were you in the USA?

One way or another it is dog eat dog for good school places in the South East.

I am glad to be going to a less pressured part of the world!

yeah, it is very much like that. we were down in Georgia, so down south-amazing climate and perfect prices-as in 'perfect' doesn't really describe it as its better than that!
anyway, started to worry re not having paid attention to hall grove and just concentrating on lambrook. did the calculation of the fee difference today-unbelievable!!!! absolutely unreal-now I see how lambrook is full of Chelsea footballers!

ElleBon - did you go to Lambrook in the end? We're looking to move out of NWLondon and are keen to send our two DD to Hall Grove. It seems such a big move and they're very happy at their current school, but thought it would be good to move them and then for them to stay until their 13yrs old. Can anyone advise me on whether it's suitable for girls to stay until 13yrs? Or very hard to move then?