Surrey private schools, all through or secondary only

[lavieenwhisperingangel]

I am looking for recommendations for independent schools in Surrey that have a softer entrance process for Y7. When looking at admissions, virtually all have some form of 11+, either written or online tests. Are there schools for the average academically (I worry on maths especially)? (We are based overseas presently, and so it’s hard to gauge the level needed).

TIA

ACS Cobham.

International - your DC can follow the IB.

Thanks, actually my kids follow Cambridge curriculum so happy with the same British system, just maths is “just about” average at the moment. Hence the 11+ papers would be a disaster. I prefer not to tutor to death though, but would be happy with a school where they have different set abilities for example, and not a difficult entrance process that is all about academics.

Will take a note of ACS nevertheless, and thank you ☺️

Maybe Claremont in Cobham?
The Hall in Wimbledon (not Surrey, but good train links)

Claremont Fan is increasingly selective, and Milbourne Lodge is a no no.

Thanks.

I will look at Claremont. Are their entrance exams on the softer side?

Girl or Boy? Priorsfield if girl has always had a rep for not being massively academic. Farlington is just over border in West Sussex and is all through. Not massively academic either

A girl, very much happy with co-ed

I should add so not to do a disservice to my dd, maths is the weakness (but improving all the time), but everything else, she always does so well in, and loves sports arts, and very imaginative in her stories. Loves extra curriculars.

Surely the schools don't just look at maths results??

Have a look at Kingswood House in Epsom. They do a little test of ability in maths and English, but it's not overly demanding. They are quite a nurturing sort of school, so they don't insist that everyone is an academic high-flier.

Edited to add that they do a lot of sports!

Thanks

I’ve heard good things about King Edward school in Witley. Very nurturing and soft approach.

Duke of Kent school in Ewhurst could be worth considering

How old is dc now? Several have dropped formal 11+ for their prep school pupils. So if you joined year5/6 you may a bye to secondary.

Thanks she is turning 10; would do that but we are overseas and stuck until Y7 now.

Which part of Surrey are you looking at? Ewell Castle is coed as are Box Hill and Frensham Heights, Priors Field and Manor House girls.

Thank you. Fetcham/Cobham way.

The academic expectations vary pretty wildly. I'd suggest that if you identify schools you like, you then contact them to get a sense of what standard would be expected to get through the tests. If you were at private school for primary locally, your primary school would offer you some guidance on this but obviously that's hard.

Ewell Castle in Epsom/Ewell does have entrance exams but I don't believe they're hugely onerous. Kingswood doesn't go all the way to A Levels I don't think so while it is easier academically, it might be too little for her as she's bright overall. St John's is difficult to get into but a lovely school. Box Hill is a bit marmite and has lots of weird extra admission criteria (I know a few children who were rejected for weird reasons or who chose to leave as they weren't loving it). Reigate Grammar is very academic so might be tricky if not excellent at both English and Maths but you should check. There's also London Freeman's which has tests but again, I don't know how onerous. And Downsend - but I'm not sure if Downsend is all the way to A Level either.

Thank you, that’s a really useful breakdown.

I don’t mind if we need to switch for A levels, but having a 6th form is of course a bonus, so don’t have to switch if it isn’t wanted or needed at the time.

Would love to know the stats on how many applicants vs spaces in any of these!

PS: with St John’s, is it difficult entry due to the academics, or number of applicants (or both?) Thank you ☺️

Woldingham Girls has a fairly gentle approach. We went to an open day and were pretty impressed. It used to be strongly catholic but now welcomes "all faiths and none".

I think St John's is just so popular there's a lot of competition. So the academics have to be high and there's an interview as well I believe. And a child that also has a strong interest in and/or competancy in art/drama/sport/music has a better chance.

We'd love to send DD there but we can't cover the costs unfortunately and while she has both music and dance as extras which I think would help her application, it's very unlikely we could get anywhere near the financial assistance needed to send her. But if you can afford it, and you like it, you should definitely look into it and get a sense of what the academic level for entrance is. For example, I don't know if it would need the children to be good at BOTH English and Maths or if one would be enough - I haven't done that level of research. And even if htey do how good is "good"?

If you're based near Cobham, then you probably should at least take a look at Notre Dame. All girls, with small 6th form. Very strong in sports and drama and art. Yes, your DD will need to do the 11+ papers but it's not as academic as say Reeds/St John's/St George's/Epsom in the local area. It is getting more popular these days though (like Claremont, it's not the back up option that it used to be). Another option would be St Teresa's in Effingham.

You should look at Hoe Bridge in Woking. My friends DS is there and the 11+ process whilst still an exam was definitely on the softer side. They look for a more well rounded pupil not just academic ability we will definitely look at it for DD when the time comes

Thanks everyone!

It looks like a few of these schools do the ISEB exam, over traditional 11+ papers now.

I wonder if that could be helpful.

The ISEB covers English, maths, verbal reasoning and non verbal reasoning - so maths would still be a factor.