Moving to Guilford area

[twinwin]

Hi,
I have twin girls who will be starting school in 2025. We are looking to move and considering Guildford or nearby areas. We would like to try GHS for 4+ entry or LEH for 7+ entry. Very confused on how to prepare the girls, and looking for good nurseries or prep schools which will help. I am seeing mixed opinion about Draton House in Guilford. Please do you have any advise or suggestions? Any direction would be very helpful.

Hello, I am fairly new here to this group. I am wondering if my message is not visible? Can someone please reply with a "can see it"? Maybe you dont have any tips, but that is alright. Just wanted to confirm I am posting it right : ) thank you very much

Hi, I can see it

People tend to only check the boards they’re interested in, the education boards get a big flurry of activity when people are applying to schools but there’s less interest apart from that

You could try asking Mumsnet to change your thread title. People browsing the education boards may not click on a thread that sounds like it’s about moving house. Off the top of my head I would suggest something more like “Do you know any prep schools near Guildford?”

I know girls at GHS and also St Caths. GHS girls were 7+ entry a few years ago so Covid times but prep was apparently basics - English, Maths, Spelling; however the parent also really focused on the child being confident and articulate when speaking to adults - getting them to order when at a cafe or restaurant directly from server - that type of thing. 4+ not sure though, in other schools it’s play based and writing your name etc. St Caths no idea on entrance exams but is a v good school and potentially worth a look.

You wouldn't want to live in Guildford and go to LEH, it's far to far to travel. LEH obviously has many more places at 7 but you would need to move to twickenham / Kingston etc. There are so many prep or all through schools in the area you are spoilt for choice:
Feltonfleet
St George's Weybridge
St Hilary's
Aldro / Charterhouse
Notre Dame
Surbiton High
Etc

@twinwin our DD started GHS (4+) last year. She went to Halstead pre-prep (which since became HSA) nursery in Woking. I only have compliments for their nursery - DD was really well prepared for reception.

@Mum1923 I am so confused...where is a good area to live to be able to attend schools in Guildford? For 800k budget I don't seem to find a thing that is pretty ..

Guildford is expensive, 809k won’t get you much if you are after a pretty property…. Similar for Woking.

@Crimp1982 , what age are your dc? You could look further out and use the train network to Guildford when they are older, no good when they are 4.

You could try moving to Walton or Sunbury upon Thames and aiming for LEH at age 7 instead. (Slower trains to London than Guildford)

800k is quite an average house in Guildford

Thank you very much!

Thanks very much. I am also looking at St Caths. We are two very different girls, one more confident than the other. But we want them in the same school for our own sanity. We have also realised that house prices close to GHS is quite high, so we might have to move a bit away if we want a larger place.