Private Schools in Woking, Guildford (Surrey) -Please share your advice and guidance

[NewsieMammaBear]

Hi mums, I have short listed the following independent schools for my little boy. I'm really keen to understand your experiences;

1. Halstead St Andrews in Woking
2. Rydes Hill Prep and Nursery in Guildford (Does this school feed in the Royal Grammar School in Guildford?)
3. Green Field School in Old Woking

I'm really keen to understand your experiences. I have read so many threads on here and I'm really nervous. My family and I are new to the area (Woking) and we want a safe and caring environment for our little boy.

Thank you so much 🤗

Pupils at RGS come from a range of schools , not least its own prep. It is also highly selective. Do these schools not publish leavers' destinations?

Thankyou so much. During the Rhydes Hill Prep Tour we were advised that most of the boys feed into RGS Prey from Year 3. Thank you for your message.

Hi, I have two girls at Rydes Hill, feel free to PM me.

I think I would choose Halstead St Andrews above Greenfield school. There's Hoe Bridge school too. I thought St Andrew's had a lovely, caring atmosphere when I visited a few years ago and I've heard positive things from local families.

Heard Rydes Hill is in financial difficulties at the moment, a parent friend of ours has recently begun the process of moving to where we currently are for her DD.

I don't like to post blind, so a quick scan of their accounts shows they've lost money for at least the last 5 years in a row, using their dwindling reserves to cover day-to-day expenses.

Only bit that seems to make money is the nursery.

Just do your due diligence before you pick any Prep (only) school, especially Rydes Hill it seems...

Rydes Hill is definitely a nursery with a prep school attached. Are you looking for nursery (in which case it has a good rep) or for Prep (in which case it seems to be quite small)?

Most girls (not sure about boys as they're aren't that many and most friends are DDs) do leave various year groups for other Guildford through schools at various points, especially for reception.

Our children are at Greenfield across different year groups and we feel it’s a wonderful school with a lovely atmosphere and excellent teachers. Our kids are thriving and happy. There is change afoot with a new head coming on board in September, he seems like a good fit for the school (he’s coming from his current post as Assistant Head at City of London Freemans) Happy to answer any questions, just PM me

Have a friend whose kids are in Hoe Bridge and very happy with the school

We are moving from Wimbledon and have chose Halstead St Andrews for our two boys (5 and 8).

The school is across two sites but was impressed with the nurturing environment and wonderful Head for the junior (pre-prep) school. All the children run up to her! My 5-year old was nervous but seems to have thrived on the taster day and contributed from the start. For the older children (from Y4) they do homework at school which means a longer day but will be a huge relief from the current impact this has on our evenings.

All the Best
Deborah

Try to avoid Halstead St Andrew’s if possible. We had great experience in Halstead before the merge. However, after the merge, we have to move to the st’ Andrew’s site. I found the teaching quality and pastoral support are nothing comparable with Halstead. My dd complaints about the teaching progress is very slow and boring. Her classmates from Halstead also said same thing. The parents are not happy with the management as well. Picking up and changing room are messy! I heard no one from Y6 will remain in HSA which tells the story. So, please avoid this school if possible. It is not just my own opinion.

Halstead had a mass exedous last year, a large number went to Tormead (I think 20+). They are all very happy there now and likely most of them would've ended up there for secondary anyway, so made sense to jump early to stick with a good girls education. Not sure what the new set up is like, I'm sure it will find it's own way going forward and be good at that, but for now it's nothing like the individual schools of old were, if that's what you're looking for.

Recent ex parent.

If you would like a safe and caring environment for your little boy, then I wouldn't recommend Rydes Hill, especially as he'll not be able to stay on beyond Year 2 or 3.

I’m an early years teacher originally - I looked at about a million local schools in the area you mention and my thoughts…

Hoe bridge is truly excellent - lovely big site + brilliant staff. I have three DC and a nephew across the pre prep and prep. Some bold and sporty and one quite dyslexic and anxious. They’ve been wonderful with all of them. Can’t say enough good things about it.

Rydes Hill is predominantly a girls school still in its weighting. I opted against it for that reason

Halstead St Andrews still in a bit of flux after the merger

Greenfield has really mixed reviews - it’s lovely for the right children. New head recently.

If you’re set on RGS for secondary then it’s worth looking at RGS prep - it’s a lovely lovely little school despite its more ‘urban’ setting than the others. Godson and neighbours children go there. The head is great.

Go through these posts about Greenfield

1. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/4539727-greenfield-or-hoebridge-in-woking
2. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/primary/5001195-greenfield-woking?reply=136475151

And make an informed decision for your child.