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

Many thanks.

Having looked further into ISEB it seems the "official" practice/familiarity is via the Century platform which she has anyway.

Will just need to keep practicing and then take a view of dd's levels by end of Y5.

If you go for the ISEB testing schools - get your DD on Atom for the next few months - good prep for the exam and she'll master technique for how to approach questions.

Tormead and also St Catherine Bramley (sporty) depending on your location. The buses travel for miles so it could work.
Tormead close to the train station too.

Ad hoc boarding at St cats

Halstead St Andrews and Hoebridge are new senior schools so it depends on your view to that / no results to promote tends to be for people living close to Woking

St Teresa's is a lovely all girls school in Effingham - very gentle with great pastoral care. Sixth form is going co - Ed next year.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Most of these schools look good in their own individual ways, I guess it’s just trying to gauge which schools we would have a realistic chance of getting into if of ‘average’ ability. There is no point if competition is fierce, as it could be a soul crushing process if there’s no hope getting in.

With respect to ACS Cobham, it looks also appealing, but I am concerned there are no GCSEs here and I don’t think there is an equivalent program. IB is great as an alternative to A levels, but I thought that was supposed to be quite tough (academic) and I would worry it’s all eggs in one basket without GCSEs at least. Maybe I am overthinking that though?

Can't you contact the school and ask them for a past paper or some worksheets that would help you gauge your child's ability in reference to the school? Sure, they don't usually have to do this, but that's only because the private primary schools basically do it for them.

@lavieenwhisperingangel , you are overthinking this, there is not the level of competition you are anticipating. Every private school has some level of assessment so they can ensure they can meet the needs of your dc. Find an 11plus tutor online who can assess your dc and prepare them for the exams.
Schools that are less competitive are: Notre Dame Cobham, St Teresa's Effingham, Manor House Bookham, Ewell Castle, Sutton High, SWPS in Chertsey, St Catherine's in Twickenham, Radnor House Twickenham and LVS Ascot.
If your tutor thinks your dc is doing well then you can move up a notch to Claremont Fan Court, Tormead and St George's Weybridge.
As you can see there is loads of choice for girls and everyone gets a place. If you live in somewhere like Esher you can reach all the schools listed apart from LVS Ascot which you can reach if you live in Twickenham.

@lavieenwhisperingangel also to add ACS Cobham for non US expat dc is not academic and attracts dc who can not thrive in the schools listed and offers an alternative level of education. It's also very expensive.

Thank you to all of your replies. Much appreciated.

Some good pointers and suggestions. I think a realistic assessment first, and also where we get to by summer too with progress will help narrow it down.

Agree to an extent, though I’d swap SWPS and Claremont FC. SWPS is significantly stronger academically.

@durness , they are pretty similar now with SWPS getting better gcse results and Claremont slightly better A level results. SWPS is going coed from 2026 whilst Claremont Fan is a very popular mixed option for many families.

Go look at Manor House - you can go all way through as A-Levels at St Tereseas

I hear the Effingham Trust was on the brink of meltdown at the moment - so not sure the Manor House -> StTeresas is a great idea.

Brink of meltdown in what sense?

As strange but true would have it, I only just posted on another thread for a close friend of mine. How funny that we have joined in theme!

Anyway, he's moving the family from the NE to Horsley for work, just in process of house purchase now. They're naturally looking at StTs for DD due convenience factor.

He's just discovered that CEO aparently 'retiring', and the move to having boys join the StTs sixth form from Cranmore went bad, so now offering heavy discounts or free places to boys from Cranmore side and Howard Of Effingham state school to encourage boys into co-ed sixth form project.

Looks like no discount for girls, so parents unsure if they are 'subsidising boys', also, aparently new buildings and sixth form centre promised but not axed due to funds?

No accounts since 2023, but debt has grown from £5m at time of merger to nearly £11m as of 2023 year end.

He has heard from a parent he knows at Howard Of Effigham that parents at StTs are concerned that he is disembarking before the ship starts taking on water, but they (HoE parents) are more than happy with freebie sixth form places for their boys.

Seems messy.

The much liked CEO is retiring after 22 years, I'm sure the Trust will appoint another excellent CEO to continue. As a current parent at St T's, I've not heard any of the drama. It's useful to compare gossip with real life experiences.
With 1000+ pupils in the Trust, I'm not worried about closure, to be honest the numbers make me relieved. I have extremely happy DC at St Ts and they are on course for excellent GCSEs.
Lots of girls have scholarships which is important in this VAT financial climate. I've never considered that we're "subsidising" anyone. To see the school community support and grow is fantastic.
All schools do open days so it's best to visit and ask questions to the Head, staff and pupils to get a better picture.
For what it's worth, definitely recommend St T's for what it offers our family.

Downsend School will shortly be opening a sixth form making it a good co-ed through school option - not sure of entry requirements these days (my kids were there years ago) but worth a look

Another mum told me today that Farlington will close by September because another local large boarding school is attracting a number of their students. Has anyone else heard this? With children at the school this is a real worry and I don’t know what to do.