Dorking Primary Schools

[Surreymama123]

Does anyone have any experience of St Martins vs St Pauls Primary schools in Dorking? I've read that St Paul's tends to be more academic but what exactly does that mean? I see that St Pauls was rated Outstanding, where as St Martins was rated Good but the last review for St Pauls was close to 10 years ago so I'm not sure it's that relevant.

Do any parents have any Pros or Cons on either school? I'm ideally looking for a school that is more academic as my DD is less athletic and more studious.

Also any thoughts on any more academic prep schools? My husband and I are keeping all options open. We're still trying to decide if it's worth paying the additional fees or not as Prep school fees doesn't come cheap.

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Where do you plan to live? Not sure there are any prep schools in Dorking itself, so you would face a 20 minute drive to one.

@LIZS We plan to be in Dorking near the High street. I understand there aren't any Prep schools in Dorking but just wanted to get a sense of the various options as we are planning to move this year from SW London.

In Year 1 I cannot see a difference between state school and prep school academic attainment, but there is a difference in breadth of experience. However Dorking is well suitated to allow for extra activities. If you are planning to be there for a while, then the secondary school (Ashcombe) doesn't currently have very high exam results, but this will obviously change over time.
If you are not already set on Dorking I would look at either Ashtead or Leatherhead (wider range of schools to consider and there are good prep schools, plus a good link to London). Epsom is also a good place to consider.

Pennthorpe in Rudgwick is only 20 mins away. Lovely prep school.

Hi there, I'm Following too as in similar position. I'm moving children away from private school as had awful experience with bullying parents. We've now whittled down to North Downs Primary and St Paul's, Cof E Dorking.

I love the idea aof ND as DD (Yr 1) has done art/ music theatre club and got on well, but my DS will be starting reception in Sept 2024- worried they'd be on different sites...how do parents manage the multisite drop off? Is parking OK?

Any recent views on North Downs Vs St Paul's? I've looked around both and leaning towards ND for experience and community, but St pauls for academic and potential to walk to school (as can't find a house in Betchworth/ Brockham area). Anyone live in Dorking and commute to ND schools?

I'm sorry that you are in this situation and hope that the kids are OK.

ND it does appear to depend on where you live whether they go to different sites. If you are towards Betchworth then it will be Betchworth for reception (parking is OK towards the shop but it is a little walk) and then Y1/2 in Leigh which is a little harder to park at. I think most parents do the drop at Leigh and then go to Betchworth, but the teachers do know the situation and you won't be the only one. Brockham (either Y3+ or from reception) can be tricky to park at but there is a road that runs to both Leigh and Betchworth so you don't have to go back onto the A25. Breakfast club/afterschool care is difficult to get into and is only run at Brockham. I have no experience of St Pauls.

Thank you. It's been very distressing and I've been highly stressed for about a year now, the children are luckily largely unaware of the isolation, visible contempt and exclusion, but my eldest is picking up on it when not invited to class birthday parties or parents don't want playdates and their children mixing.

Yes we're in the process of finding a house and discussing whether to base in Betchworth so we also have access to reigate schools/ redhill Station. Or Dorking for a more town friendly vibe and less school pressure if they attend more academically 'average' schools as children will thrive and do well if it comes from within and they're not as stressed, we're also very fond of Dorking. I really feel a lot of pressure to get the move right so we can all move on with our lives and meet some normal, friendly families. I love Brockham too. The education from the school we're at currently is good, albeit a tad pushy and lots of homework but I'm trying to weigh up whether the environment is more important or learning- my husbands priority is just that they're happy and I should stop overthinking things!! Doesn't help me choose between the two schools however!

Dorking is lovely. And you are right, kids do better when they are not stressed. Plus there are lots of extra clubs and activities that they can take part in within Dorking. Betchworth and Brockham have a thriving community and there are seasonal activities run by volunteers that are great fun. I don't know whether you would be able to access Reigate as easily from Brockham/Betchworth but nothing is that far away.

Can you go into both schools and see which one you prefer? Maybe join the facebook groups and see what sort of chat there is. It is also Christmas Fayre Season so that might be an opportunity to see how the current pupils interact with your children.

If you choose St Paul`s school your kids stress level would hit the roof, especially when they are in the last year - Y6 or in Y2, when they do SATs, this school does everything to achieve the best results for themself, not necessary for kids. The school has changed a lot in the recent years and there are a lot of kids with anxieties here because of the very stressful school environment, leadership team and teachers sadly