Walton Prep Schools

[Purplelemon7]

Hi

Does anyone know anything about the prep schools near Walton eg Danesfield, Westward, Feltonfleet, St George’s etc. Are any of these schools very academic with good numbers of students getting into selective schools like Hampton/LEH, Tiffin etc. Thanks

@Whichschoolinsurrey thank you so much! do you know if historically there has been much competition for entry into pre prep ?

No it’s not been hugely competitive historically, in part because most people know what they’re signing up to. Milbourne do a day where they assess the children but they cap the numbers by waiting list (at least in the past) meaning they don’t have to turn too many away, they might have FOR EXAMPLE 40 children attending and 32 spaces. Best thing is to register early, it’s not a big deposit until you get offered a place the year before you join. I don’t think Rowan and SHPP have a competitive assessment, they’re based on when you sign up but there’s always a chat about expectations and whether it would be suitable for you. It has to work for the child first and foremost.

Your biggest problem is that most people sign up to two or three schools so it’s a bit tough to tell what will actually happen until the year before when places are offered and you have to put your full deposit down. Like I say, I don’t know what Covid will mean for places.

@Whichschoolinsurrey Good to know! I’m trying to figure out where the best place would be to buy a property at the moment but maybe I’m overthinking it and I just buy something in Claygate/HW/Esher/Thames Dutton/Hampton and hope that my children get places in one of the nearby prep schools!

How old are your DC and are they boys or girls?

I have a son who is 2 and a daughter who is 1 so there’s still time but we want to move into our forever home sooner rather than later

Plenty of time then, that’s good. Most people are signed up to prepreps by age 2 - 3, so don’t leave it too late.

The one thing I will say is that if you’re set on this being your “forever home” you’ll need to have a sense of what you want for secondary, even though it seems years away. There is a compromise on secondary schools here, with no obvious choice. Either you have to compromise on academics to stay local (eg Claremont, Notre Dame - which btw is a v lovely girls school) or you have to compromise on distance / convenience to get academics (Hampton, LEH, Guildford). Reeds is an exception, that’s a good boys secondary in Cobham. But most of the kids round here will either board, or take the bus / train to school. If that’s not for you in the long term you should rethink. Obv you can always move again.

I’d look at the Guildford areas as well if I were you with a view to Guildford High / RGS but they are VERY competitive. The main draw of Walton (your original question) is cheaper house prices, other than that, it doesn’t seem to have what you’re looking for.

Do look at Felton fleet as well. I have friends who are happy with their offering. They arent as academic as Rowan, Milbourne etc but have greatly improved in recent years by destination schools and less overwhelming to DH as smaller in size /more professional families rather than celeb bling factor. Some people around Esher / Oxshott / cobham also go to Downsend (same trust as a Milbourne) & Ripley Court (recently acquired by Reeds) but they are a bit further out.
Like I said before, I think you just need to get out and see the schools operate in person before you decide. It’s the only way to know which one is the right fit for you. I started off thinking certain schools would be right based on what I’d read on forums and were completely taken aback when I visited the schools.
I would also say don’t come under pressure to make your choice too soon, last year all had parents signing up at the eleventh hour as they couldn’t make their minds up or had changed their minds re school choice. Whilst I’ve also heard more people moving / switching private, also hearing of parents pulling out due to affordability. Just don’t panic as I’ve never not heard of snyine not get a place at their choice at reception entry. Milbourne done an assessment past few years May/June a academic year ahead, eg June 21 for entry Sept 22. Not sure if doing this year due to Covid. However I know of lots of parents who only finalised choice a month before so it’s a bit of a marketing ploy for you to sign up early thinking they’re exclusive. I also don’t know any child who has failed their assessment but understand they get more selective age 7+ as do Shrewsbury & Rowan.

Thank you both.
I’m going to try to visit the schools this summer and register for the ones we like.
I think for secondary taking a bus or train is fine, both DH and I did it. It’s really for pre-prep/prep that we need to be nearby because we are both working, they will both likely be at different schools and when they’re little I think long journeys will be harder. I really don’t want to move again so that’s why I want to get this decision right. Guildford is a little far from my parents, I’d like to stay near to them so it seems like it’s really a choice between Hampton and Esher and surrounding areas.