Surrey reception entry (Elmbridge)

[Stripeytigergrr]

Hello, my DD will start reception in 2026 and I’m looking for some advice on what the impact of school fees rises are having on schools like Danes Hill, Rowan, Claremont Fan Court and Milbourne Lodge. specifically children joining the school in reception so appreciate that may be a teacher may be able to share more intel! We’re looking at co-ed (in case of future children).

We’ve done a few open days and I really like Danes Hill but the cost per term is slightly throwing me off - it seems to have gone up quite a lot when we first considered it as an option. Does anyone have any recent experience on whether that has impacted the number of children entering reception? I’m wondering whether reception numbers will be really low but also whether it is worth it now if education has remained the same but fees have gone up? I’m weighing this up with local state options.

Thank you!

A teacher working in those schools is unlikely to tell you if numbers are down, what have the schools said re numbers? Fees usually go up most years & this was before VAT, can you afford it easily?

Danes Hill has been hit by the change of head(s) issue but it attracts wealthy parents who can bear the cost increase. When Maxine Shaw was announced as head it attracted a full reception intake but that obviously didn't work out and I don't know how it's impacted reception numbers for Sept 25. Across the Elmbridge area the birth rate is low and all schools - private and state have trouble filling EYFS/KS1 classes to capacity - it's the same in Twickenham / Richmond.
I don't think anyone knows the impact of fees increase on Sept 25 entry levels esp because no private schools have set the Sept 25 fees yet but yes Danes Hill parents will probably bear the increase more than the other schools you mention.