Haslemere, Surrey primary schools, catchment areas and where to buy

[Hatrestan91]

Hi, we are looking to move to Haslemere, Surrey this year and have a daughter who will start school next September. I just wanted to ask about primary schools - Camelsdale, St Bart’s, Grayswood/Shottermill)- are they very dependent on catchment area for where you live? Are they oversubscribed? or are you generally able to look round them and choose. I'm conscious of looking to buy a house now and thinking about which school it would be near. I know they all look lovely, but am still interested to know if there is a choice. Thanks!

I believe that the primary school offer day is this week, so if you move later this year, you will be looking for an in year place and that will depend upon which school has spaces in Reception. Early years is required to have no more than 30 children per class.

Unless of course, you mean September 2027 as the start date.

Sorry, yes, I mean 2027!

by next September - I mean 2027

Honestly you are spoiled for choice for schools in Haslemere, they are all very highly regarded locally. We’ve just been through the process and awaiting outcomes and I came to the conclusion there were no bad choices so simply for Shottermill because it’s within easy walking distance. I did also love Camelsdale. We didn’t visit St Bart’s as we’re not religious so it would always be bottom of the list.

The ones on the Surrey side of Haslemere - Shottermill, St Bart’s, Beacon Hill - I think don’t have a formal catchment but simply go on the basis of who is closest to the school as the crow flies moving outwards until they’ve reached capacity (this is after they’ve filled the priority places, eg cared for children etc). Camelsdale is over the border in West Sussex.

From what I understand there is the ability to choose to an extent - the schools are largely not over subscribed so it isn’t a total battle for places. We live very close to Shottermill but I think would have also been had a good chance if we had put St Bart’s or Beacon Hill as first choice.

I don’t know what your house budget is but Lion Lane, which Shottermill is on, is a lovely family friendly, community spirited road to live on - the town green, a playground and M&S are at one end and walking access to AONB Devils Punchbowl at the other end. Surrounding roads, Cherry Tree Avenue, the Avenue, Weysprings Road etc also very nice. If you’ve a very big budget then the fancy houses on Farnham Lane would mean you could pick between Shottermill and St Bart’s fairly easily I would have thought.

Many infants/primaries in SW Surrey are undersubscribed or heading that way - there’s already been a couple that have had to close. You can check the PANs and furthest distance offered here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/arrangements-and-outcomes/previous-years

Beacon Hill, St Bart’s and Shottermill are all undersubscribed, and Grayswood furthest offer was over 6km.

Basically, you’ll have your pick regardless of where you live - just make sure you pick one that isn’t too much at risk of closure.

Grayswood and Camelsdale are held in the highest regard, quite possibly because of their catchment areas.
Thanks to the falling birth rate it’s easier than ever before to actually choose a school in Haslemere, rather than merely accepting the one allocated by SCC.
Be aware that a huge number of families in Haslemere use the independent sector, so you might find that friends at music/sports clubs all attend Amesbury/St Eds/Churchers/Seaford.

Thank you so much for your replies. So helpful and also really encouraging to know. We will definitely look at those roads you mentioned!