Surbiton High Boys Prep?

[taj0112]

Does anyone know anything about it? I must admit I didn’t even know it existed until now but I’m looking at schools as we’re moving a bit locally and would be super handy location wise!

I know the school well but am not a parent. The sites are small and the sports grounds are in Hinchley Wood but this is the same for the whole of Surbiton High school. The prep ends at age 11 so the focus is on day schools and the grammars.
It would be helpful if you have an idea of your secondary school direction and if you want a traditional prep school up to age 13 look at Shrewsbury House in long Ditton.

Thankyou! I think we’ve chatted about LEH maybe? We’ve moving that way (Thames Ditton) so Hampton Prep would be ideal but need to some other options too! Yeah just the standard local secondaries I would imagine so Hampton, RGS, Reeds etc…..

From Thames Ditton you have lots of options including Milbourne Lodge, Shrewsbury house, Hampton prep & surbiton prep. Danes Hill in Oxshott is getting the St. Paul's junior school head in Sept as their new head.
If your focus is to move your ds at age 11 then Hampton prep & surbiton boys are the best options (and the sports grounds in HW make life even easier)!

Thanks so much! I was worried as I hadn’t heard about it maybe it wasn’t very good? Not particularly keen on Milbourne Lodge or Shrewsbury) which is a shame!

Sorry for more questions - what’s the school like? I loved the vibe of Hampton Prep in terms of the great attitude, emphasis on being happy but also the academics and good facilities but you can’t put all your eggs in one basket!

It's a good prep school but you have to visit because the sites are split and the pre-prep part in particular is in part of the main school. The boys prep part is a separate building. The head is good, she came from Newland House but she just runs the boys part, she reports to someone who reports to the Principal etc.

Thankyou, I really appreciate that. Will definitely visit - it’s funny how your views can totally change once you have!

The head of surbiton boys prep is ex Newland house Pre-prep head. Very good and very hands on, and pastoral. She genuinely is interested in the kids and knows how to handle SW London parents too. Hampton prep also very good but don’t pick it based solely on itbeing a feeder for Hampton secondary. Only 40% of the prep boys are offered an automatic place at the secondary and the rest have to sit the entrance exam with all the other external boys - they don’t give preference to a child that’s been through the prep .

Thanks to you both - I’m not sure why I didn’t see your reply @Scaffoldhell. Is surbiton boys prep quite popular? It never seems to be suggested as an option for people living in the area which made me worry!

It’s a perfectly good prep for boys , but I guess there are other more established boys schools around which are more popular.

Thankyou! I’m assuming Hampton prep, milbourne lodge and shrewsbury? I’m not to keen on the latter two for various reasons so I guess we’re left with those!

@taj0112 Surbiton Boys Prep has been around a long time - I think over 30 years. The pre prep is in its own building next to the senior school and the prep is in another building just round the corner.

The teachers and staff really get to know each boy and their 11+ prep and pastoral care has been amazing. My son has been really happy there. He loves the sport and buddy time with the Reception boys.

The head reports straight into the Principal but I think she’s left to her own decisions to run the school - with her experience I doubt she needs much guidance!

That sounds totally lovely - thankyou @Surburbanmumof3 for taking the time to reply. I’ll have to book a visit! Where do most boys go at 11?

A real mix of local day schools generally - Kings, Kingston Grammar, RGS, Claremont, Reeds, St Johns, Hampton, Tiffin, St Pauls. There's probably a list of schools on their website if you want a proper list!

Hello, hoping to join this thread as we’re also looking at SHS for our son (year 3). I particularly wanted to find out if the children are all quite local, as we’d be coming from further afield. Is there any interaction with the girls school? I also wanted to please know if the school adequately prepares for 11plus, or if there is quite a bit of tutoring needed on top of what the school does . We loved the pastoral aspect and felt our son would be well supported there.