Can anyone tell me about private primary schools in East Surrey (Redhill/ Reigate)?

[RepatNikki]

After being expats in various parts of the world for the last 12 years we're finally coming back to the UK at the end of summer. We've known and planned we'd be coming back to this area for quite a while, and I've had DD (7) and DS (3) registered for all the private schools ( I know, but I knew we wouldn't be able to get a state school place before we moved back, and it was just the safest option, until we got back)

We've visited them all in the past, and to be honest they seem rather similar, but what I don't have is a 'feel' for what the different cultures/ styles/ strengths & weaknesses etc might be? I've heard a few 'off the cuff' remarks too, (some less positive than others!). Can any Mums from this area give me their candid opinions please on the following:

• Hawthorns
• Micklefield
• Reigate St.Mary's

We need to decide in the next few weeks, and I simply don't know how to make that decision. We're not going to be able to visit the UK again before we come back.

Any Surrey Mums back from the school run yet?

(to see if I can get some of the people from the Surrey schools thread over here.....)

only the lowly non 4 by 4 owners back from the school run and extra curricular activities by 9pm!

Hi , dont live that way so can't comment on those schools.

I suppsoe you have ahad a look at the OFSTED reports etc . Do you know how popular the schools are , i.e how many applications they have had in previous years in relation to spaces, Surrey CC will be able to ive you that info.

Sorry can't help in any other way about the schools.

You could try the yahoo group surrey_mums and see what they say on there.

Thanks Themis

Unfortunately some of them (e.g. RStM) haven't had an ofsted for quite a while, and I know things have been changing since then.

Nikki
I know people with children at all of these schools, and I think they all have their +/-.

Some top-line thoughts would be:

• Hawthorns: Good academics/ great facilities/ sport. Supposedly has a bit of a 'celebrity' parent following.

• Micklefield - used to be a girls only school, and still has a bit of a reputation for being artsy/ 'soft' & feminine.

• St. Mary's - used to be an all boys school. Seems to be 'up & coming' after some issues several years ago. Presumably you know it is now the Junior school of Reigate Grammar - a very sought-after school at secondary level!

Hi Nikki

I don't have any info to help you but just to say that we have just moved to Reigate and are looking at both state and private primaries so I will be interested in hearing about anything you discover!

Good luck with the move.

Hello

We have moved, actually are still in the process of moving from nr Coulsdon to Reigate so know the area a bit. I am really looking forward to living within walking distance of a good high st again as that is what we really missed when we left London originally. Great to know there are some MNers in the area - I am sure I will be calling on you for more local information, thanks!

My ds goes to a Nursery in Caterham on the Hill 2 days a week which we really like. We are hoping to keep him there and drive over in the mornings and then get the train to London from Coulsdon South - do you think this is do-able? We go up the turning near the Indian restaurant just after Merstham off the A23 so hopefully would not get stuck in too much traffic before then?

Can't really help as I live in Dorking. My friend has decided to send her ds to Micklefield in September - he'll be going in to Yr3. Her dd will be going into the Kindergarten there too. They might be quite busy as New Lodge (prep school in Dorking) is closing so everyone scrambling for new schools.
I was about to say Reigate St. Marys feeds into Reigate Grammar which is very poplular ... just realised that's already been said.
My dh is a peri at Reigate St. Marys & Reigate Grammar - thinks they seem great schools. We'll never have the money to put our 4 through private school though .. not with a musician for a dh We're very impressed with state schools in Dorking though - have no clue what they're like in Reigate/Redhill.

Don't know about the private schools, but I do know St. John's and Earlswood are both meant to be excellent state primarys. St. Johns is quite a small school so it might have small classes.

There was a school leagues table with all of these schools in the Times which I posted on another link yesterday if you do a search for it.

If you do move to the area and interested in meeting other MNers, there is a West Sussex/Surrey meet-up thread... There are a couple of the mums who meet fairly regularly, but I have only made it to one evening meet-up so far...

Yes - we have been a bit crap with the Surrey meet-ups.... it all stopped happening when Essbee moved away

Anyone up for one? Shall we start a threda in the meet-ups board?

On the West Sussex/Surrey thread, we're in the process of organising an evening meet-up in Redhill on 22nd March if you're interested...

BTW, I remember reading (I think on the Reigate Grammar website) that they were liaising with the State schools regarding their entrance exams, so I don't think attending the Junior school is a pre-requisite for entry to RG - hope not anyway!!

Thanks MumpBump - can't make 22nd unfortunately Have fun & report back!