Primary school in Knaphill & Woking

[MamaTara]

I moved into the Knaphill area with my family at the start of lockdown. Our daughter will be starting school in September 2022 and we're quite confused about what schools to go for. From our research, we've narrowed down our choice of schools to 1) St. Dunstan's 2) St Hugh of Lincoln 3) Knaphill School
We are Catholic and our daughter is baptised, but live about 3miles from St Dunstan's so perhaps its a pipe dream and we're better off focusing on the other schools.
If your kids go to these schools, please could you advise on what they're like, pros and cons? My daughter is bright and bubbly so it's important she's in a stimulating environment. Thank you!

@MamaTara which school did you ended up choosing? I am in a similar position.

We ended up going to St Dunstan’s. It has its challenges - wraparound care is very limited and they are quite demanding with reading and home learning but very happy there! Reception teachers were amazing with settling in the kids and very supportive. My daughter has made lots of friends and is happy there.
I would recommend it but be sure you have childcare sorted out. Good luck!

@MamaTara oh thanks for the message, what do you mean by wraparound care being limited? Are they not very nurturing the pupils? Also in what sense the childcare needs to be in place? Do they not have after school clubs?

Wraparound care is paid-for breakfast/after school clubs, for parents who need childcare beyond the length of the school day. If you're able to drop off and pick up at the normal school start and finish times, it may not be an issue. However if you are working until 5pm, then if there is no wraparound care you would need to find a childminder who would pick your child up from school.

There are two sorts of after-school clubs - the wrap-around care ones where you can book your child in to stay until you are able to collect them after work, and the adhoc hobby ones whose primary purpose is the activity, not the childcare - sometimes places are limited on these, or they don't run every week, so they're not something you can rely on for childcare.

There are only 24 breakfast and after school club spaces covering Reception and Yr 1, run by the nursery attached to the school. School-run clubs aren’t open to Reception.
The staff are very nurturing. By demanding, I mean in Reception, children bring home 3 books a week to read, every Fri teachers give a summary of what they’ve covered on the week so you can revise over the weekend. Every 2-3 weeks, there is an assignment to submit in the form of photos or videos …

@MamaTara thank you so much for this useful explanation...i had no idea...in fact I am still researching so much around schools and we have not yet even oved out of London...what do you think of Knaphill area? I found two houses potentially of interest one is in between Knaphill and Brookwood and the second in Sheerwater? Do you know the areas at all? How is it for families? I am looking for a village or a community..

Altjough Sheerwarer has better transport links (Woking station), I think Knaphill and Brookwood are quieter and have a more villagey feel. They are good for families and I find people quite friendly. Btw Knaphill is apparently up and coming with property flying off the shelves the fastest in Surrey so something to consider.