Dunottar School and Micklefield School, Reigate

[sykes]

Does anyone have any thoughts/views etc on either/both of them? Would REALLY appreciate any thoughts.

Can you tell me where yours were/are at for primary? I think I've seen somewhere on previous threads but cant remember who was where. You've given me advice on reigate-related threads before. Do you know anything about the third private primary that isn't in Reigate but nearby beginning with H? Going for tour next week. Why am I doing all this cloak and dagger stuff! Does it matter!

mine are at the other one ! Think Ghosty may have some info there too. Do they have spaces for next year still though ? Quite a few come over from the Reigate area.

Do you mean they are at H or RSM? Both still have a place for next september Reception or equivalent but need to reserve like now as about to go to waiting lists.

Do you mean they are at H or RSM? Both still have a place for next september Reception or equivalent but need to reserve like now as about to go to waiting lists.

sorry laptop slipped!

first one !

I started the thread and have friends at both H and RSM. \I think they are both v good schools but don't have children there. So not v helpful. If private I understand that RSM is v good for boys but am prepared to be corrected.

Thanks Sykes, that's good to hear. TBH, ds1 is pretty outgoing and sociable, so I am told (as well as observe), so I think he would be quite happy and fit well in most places? He is so "well-balanced" or whatever the appropriate word is for a 3 year old at the moment that I think that is why, like you, I am worried about screwing it up and ruining this by sending him to an inappropriate school, either by choice or what is forced upon us. I already feel guilty as I couldn't get him a pre-school place in Reigate so he is just in the pre-school room a couple of days a week at the day nursery where he has been since a baby, and he is already bored there with a year to go ....

Sorry to hijack your thread, any more info/opinions on Reigate schools would be great!

LIZS, can I ask why you didn't like the head at Dunottar - senior school? I thought she had a pretty good reputation - better than the last head etc. Thanks.

She may well do . It wasn't really anything tangible tbh and she sounded as if she knew the school and its pupils well, just that the ethos in comparison to others wasn't as appealing to us. She didn't manage to convince us why a single sex education(vs co ed schools also present) was important for example, and the stance on SEN didn't seem particularly strong. Maybe it just reminded me too much of my secondary education !

(Have dredged up a REALLY old namechange for this, as I suspect several of my local friends etc use MN).

It's always a very difficult time - choosing a school for your DC, and WHATEVER decision you make, you may end up in anguish over it at some point... so don't worry, it's completely normal.

FWIW, and because you asked (OP - and MBF) here's my views of the schools you mention. (Based on 3 kids, and having lived in Reigate for 15 years, and met their friends from different schools/ talked to parents/ listened to gossip (yes - I know I shouldn't... ) etc:

Micklefield: Was ex-girls school until about 10 years ago I think. Old head was a bit of a stickler, but the new head seems to be getting good approval from parents. Initially (as an ex-girls school) was seen as a bit 'cosy' and fluffy (arts/ music etc) but that has really changed in the last few years with the introduction of a very dynamic (male) Deputy Head. Now is doing really well at boys sports (Football/ Rugby/ Cricket) and matching RSM and H.
Maximum class size = 18.
I don't know why people get hung up so much on 'lack of' sports facilities - there is a huge sports field around the corner and a well-equipped hall/ gym. They offer all the usual range of sports and a few extras at after-school like bastketball/ fencing (I think).
The academic record is fantastic, with a record number going to Reigate Grammar and Caterham Schools in the last couple of years.
In fact, I don't hear very much bad about it!

Dunottar: Also really well regarded (but for girls only - so not relevant to MBF!).
New Head seems to be doing good things. Fantastic facilites (pool, tennis courts). Advantage of education follow-through from 4 - 18 (if you like that kind of thing, personally we weren't so sure, as we're more in favour of co-ed). All our friends with children there seem very happy. Academic results are excellent.

Hawthorns: Also fantastic facilities/ lovely grounds. Seems like quite a 'traditional' prep/public school. Has a reputation for being a bit more 'celebrity Mums' (Davina McCall/ Dame Judi Dench can be seen around!).
Many people choose it for co-ed + sporting facilities (e.g. have a friend whose daughter is a promising swimmer).
Academically sound I think (but think M & D have the edge)
Downsides: draws upon a wide catchment area 5-10 miles N/S/E/W, so some of my friends complain about having to drive their kids all over the place for playdates/ parties etc. Not necessarily v. convenient depending on where you live - morning traffic can be bad (although they do have a drive thru/ drop child off service!)

ReigateSt.Mary's - Widely regarded as an 'up and coming' school since it was acquired by the Reigate Grammar a few years back. However I know parents and teachers there, and I think they would agree it's 'not there yet' (give it 3 -5 years?). Opened great new sports hall/ classrooms last year, which brought it up to the standard expected for a private prep.
Think quality of teaching is still mixed. A couple of years back the current headmaster took over and started weeding out the weaker teachers, who had no/poor lesson planning/ teaching skills, but there are still many 'old-style' teachers still there from what I hear.
The school seems popular with ex-pat families (probably 'cos it was the only one which had short-notice places available) which can make it seem quite transitary/ high turnover of friends/pupils. It is totally non-selective, so academic standards are mixed. Have heard that some pupils who 'don't work out' at other prep schools end up at RsTM! The school has upset parents by raising maximum class size to 20. Was a former boys school which went co-ed a while back. Still higher boy ratio in upper school, tho I think new intakes are almost 50.50.

Holmesdale: Lovely state school with wonderful Outstanding Ofsted. New Head as of 2 years ago was former Deputy and is continuing to run the school well. Does brilliantly given high number of pupils and relatively small school. PTA are pushy and active and raise loads of extra cash. Some reports that the school is unable to stretch mroe able pupils due to 30 class size, but good support for SNs. Awful access/ parking though!

Wray Common - don't know so much about it. All sorts of problems in past resulting in severe stress (suicide?) of previous Head (I think). Draws on a broad catchment into Redhill and has a very high percentage of non-native English speaking children which creates many teaching challenges.

Reigate Parish : Rather like Holmesdale on the other side of Reigate. Hard to get into if you are not religious (practicising) or don't live outside the school.

If I was choosing now, and had a boy I'd choose:
State: 1) Holmesdale 2) RP
Prep:1) Micklefield 2) Hawthorns

If I was choosing now, and had a girl I'd choose:
State: 1) Holmesdale 2) RP
Prep:1) Micklefield / Dunottar (if prefer single sex)

Hope this helps (and no doubt someone will come on here an argue the case now for all the schools I'm not so keen on!)

Bunions thank you thank you - this is exactky the kind of honesty and candour I need - we have only been in Reigate a while, so it really is the other parental views I was lacking and need.

I hear what you are saying about gossip but in this case, I do think "other parents opinions" are worthwhile alongside league tables, school tours etc - especially for people such as myself who are new to the whole school thing.

To be quite honest with you, I know exactly which school would fit our familly ethos perfectly, where my ds would fit in really well and be extremely happy, where would tick all the practicality boxes and where I would be quite happy to let him and the teachers get on with it and feel he was getting a great educational start. That school is Holmesdale, with Reigate Parish a close second. The problem is that, since we moved to our house, they changed the admission criteria relating to distance (the only one ds1 could benefit from i.e no SN or sibs) from "distance using made up roads and pathways" to "as the crow flies" so he no longer gets the point for Holmesdale being "childs nearest school" as he would before, and our nearest state primary, by 140m, is now O [shudder].We are 0.8m from both but O is 140m closer as the crow flies so the LEA won't give him the point for H and so he has v little chance of getting in, even though it really is our closest school that you can actually walk to (he didn't get into pre-school). Similarly, as we are not church-goers he is extremely unlikely to get one of the 30 foundation places at RP.

It is very, very unfortunate and annoying and makes me feel like crying every time I see the little children skiiping off with their mums on their bikes etc to one of the central Reigate school like H (not like me as I am quite strong, normally). I feel like my little boy is being denied a chance at a decent (and free) education like everyone else is due to a quirk of geography and a ludicrous, blanket measuring system. Hence we are being "forced" to look at private where we had planned not to (why moved to Reigate). Luckily, this is something we are in a position to consider at least(for now, but as both work in finance who knows!!!) but it is not an easy choice.

Anyway, enough boo hoo poor me, I'm in danger of boring people about this! On a more cheerful note, if there are so many Reigatonians out there why are there no MN meet-ups? Are you all too wise and experienced now (or too busy more likely!). I realise you can probably work out exactly where we live from this thread and info on others but, not to worry, I have nothing to hide!

Thanks again for your time on this, it is appreciated. Anymore welcome.

MBF
I'm so sorry you are going through this anguish! I know there were huge ructions about school places a couple of years agao, and they opened another classroom at H, but they always said it was a 'one-off', and anyway this is a different issue.

My only possible suggestion is that you find a private school you like and secure a place, then apply for H & RP anyway and sit tight. There is always a huge amount of shuffling goes on in the last weeks/ month and even days before school starts while people find out what's ACTUALLY on offer, and make their decisions. People move, people change their minds. There will be people applying to 3-4 private and 2 state schools - and they can only go to one in the end!
I have known people be offered places at H on the day before the first day at school. I have also known people switch in the first week of term. It's highly stressful, but it MAY be the answer. Alternatively, think about private just for Reception - Year 2. If you live where I think you do, then you would certainly get into Reigate Priory at 11? I also know people who live in the Cockshot Hill area and have done that.

Does your DS have close friends who are going to H? It may be worth talking to the Head to find out where you are on the waiting list. I know someone who was 13th, but got offered a place in August (weeks before new term).

If you can let me have an e-mail for you, I'll happily chat further about this. I'm not available thorough CAT I'm afraid - need to pay my fees!!

Hi
I will add my 2 pennies worth but know much more of the state system than private, that said the only one of DS1's contemporaries who went private was at RSM for 2 years before moving to St John's as he was not happy there at all.
For state we are more on the redhill side, DS1 and DD are at St Joseph's and DS2 will go there next year. Our second choice was Wray Common and it has an increasingly good reputation. Its intake is mixed but the parents we know with children there are very happy with it, it has also been a lot more difficult to get into in the last 2 years which would suggest increasing popularity.
As others have said Homesdale and the parish are good but having seen the stress that friends have gone through in the last year over transfer to middle school I am very pleased to be at a 4-11. I know some friends wished that they had considered this more when making their initial choices.

MatBack - yes feel free to e-mail me!

I'd actually agree with a lot of what Bunion has said. Also would agree with GeogTeach about RStM - I know a couple of people who have gone there and been less than impressed. We looked at it for our children and felt that it was old-fashioned, dirty and 'tired' with only a few motivating and inspirational teachers. I wasn't impressed by the quality of the work I saw, or the teaching methods described, and I actually found the head to be rather irritating and smug.
I know they now have the new buildings, but the rest of the school is unchanged really.
I think they are definitely riding on the fact that they are now 'the junior school' of Reigate Grammar, but the fact is that they can't guarantee a place through from RSM to the Grammar, since all children have to sit the entrance exam. Last year there was a bit of an upset with parents of Year 6 children as not many got places at the Grammar (more from Micklefield and Hawthorns!)
Someone I know who coaches sport told me that the RSM boys are the most 'rude, unruly and agressive' .
I think you'll find that their fees are also higher than the other prep schools.

You guys are so on the ball! yYs I am telling myself that it is not such an issue because, you are right, by far our nearest school is the be very happy with I think and, considering I could practicaly open the window and throw him there as the bloody crows fly I refuse to believe he won't get in there at 7 should we go that route (or 11 I guess if went to WC?). If not then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with the system. Strangely, I think we are actually in a very good position for middle school state in that sense - it's just that we seemingly can't get him into a feeder primary for the Priory which seems bizarre to me.

For H waiting list do you mean for pre-school? I have been down there numerous time to try and get it out of them - he is still on the waiting list for pre-school which started in Sept and all they will say is that he is not in the top 12 and is "unlikely to ever get there". This is decided purely by distance from the school however. Because he is therefore still at a day nursery over near where we used to live (nearer Hawthorns). tbh, we don't really know anyone with school-age children in Reigate - which is why I need the opinions of you lovely ladies!

Funnily enough, I am meeting with the Councillor who was heavily involved with the Holmesdale 4th class hoo haa a couple of years ago this week to see if he can offer me any advice but, tbh, as the LEA say all I can really do is apply, fail to get in, appeal, which in itself is pretty hopeless unless there are lots of parents in the same position like the extra class thing. So as you say, I am going to put H, RP, WC on the state form and secure a place at either RSM or Hawth. for if (when, lets face it) he doesn't get any of the 3 and gets, say O or DG. (I really didn't like Mickle. for some reason, hard to say why).

I can't believe how much I have learnt about schools in the last few months. Everyone told me it would be like this but I can't believe what a crazy, crazy thing it is just trying to do the best for your child.

thanks RM will do

is The Priory!

and Sykes sorry for continued hijacking tell me to butt out if you want your thread back!

for what it is worth, I went to the open day at RstM the other week. I have a child at another reigate private school and wanted to do a comparison.

The new facilities in RstM are great, and very impressive upon entering, but they have lost a lot of their grounds because of this. The transition year (reception) has two classes but every other year has one (not sure how this would work as it was made clear that they would move to one class in yr1 but based on numbers this would make the class size 27?)

The Headmaster came across as slightly arrogant, and the bursar was awful and very rude (imo).

Sold itself very much as the junior school of Reigate Grammar, but when questioned they admitted that they still had to sit entrance exam and it was not guaranteed. Interesting to see your point Reigatemum! Also agree that the fees are higher!

Dunottar Head has been there a couple of years now, and seems to be doing well. Very small school in comparison to others but some class sizes are up to 24. Result went up this year from last year.

Hawthornes seems to be very celebrity mum. At the open day last week, Jordan and Peter Andre, Davina etc were all about and the kids took great pride at pointing this out. The sports facilities are brilliant - wonderful swimming pool and dance studios etc. Still seems to be more boy oriented. Most girls seem to leave year6/7 and the classes for year 8 are 90% boys (sporting driven??)

Mickelfield is the only one that I don't really know!

Oh, no - do feel free. Despite lots of great advice and support I'm still wavering which is pathetic. My elder dd just isn't settled since the move and i know it's ridiculously early and everyone goes through this but I feel so guilty. She says it just feels strange, is hardly sleeping and is very tearful. Conversely, my younger dd is swanning around as if she's Queen Bee and tells me EVERYONE wants to be her best friend.

ha that's funny! one of those slebs children are actually in my dc's rooms at Nursery! Would be funny if they all ended up there (at least my poor little boy would know someone sniff! sniff!)

sykes it is not pathetic - it's heartbreaking!! I hope they appreciate the agonies when they are older! My mother and MIL are bemused by it all. In their day you just sent the kids to the local villag school (DP) or the only english-speaking school in the area (me).

A lot of boys used to leave Micklefield after year 2 to go to H for year 3 upwards but that seems to have stopped following the new head and her male deputy - v strict but nice and now more sporting options. Boys have to shine their shoes for inspection and have decent hair cuts ... actually, girls supposed to shine shoes too. Mine never did ....

Bellie - oh yes - the Bursar at Rstm (shared with Grammar I think?) is TERRIBLE! He was so snide and rude when I asked a question about payment of deposits - it was along the lines of 'we're so fantastic that we can charge whatever we like...'. That alone was enough to put me off - I couldn't bear the thought of him getting his sweaty paws on my fee cheque every term .

Re the one class per year thing at RstM - that's reminded me about another thing my friend with a child there said - it means that they can't effectively stream/group the children by ability, as there simply aren't enough.

I think at the other schools (state and private) the children begin to be streamed from Year 2 for Maths etc. I know streaming can be contentious, but personally I think it's a good idea, and works for both the least/most able children.