Any recent experience of Prior’s Field School, Godalming?

[MiaAlice13]

We’re considering Prior’s Field School for our daughter & would welcome hearing from any current parents. After the unexpected closure of The Royal School last year, we’re mindful of ensuring any school we choose to is on a stable footing (financially/ leadership/ academically/ staffing/ pastoral care/ governance etc)

Any input, especially around the following, would be very helpful:

• Have there been any significant staff changes (aside from new Head) or leadership turnover over the last couple of years?
• Has the appointment of the new Head been received positively from parents/ students?
• How well-run is the school (financially, operationally)?
• How do you find the school from both a pastoral and academic perspective - are students appropriately stretched and supported?
• Do you think the school is moving forward positively and investing in its future?

Thank you!

Watching this thread as we are looking there too.

It is a concern of mine but Priors’ Field is a very different school to the Royal. My daughter’s prep sends a lot of children there (they didn’t recommend anyone to the Royal). The Royal was owned by United Learning (who owns GHS).

I live close to the school and they have started renting the facilities out at the weekends to local sports clubs. I assume to improve revenue.

I have friends whose children are there and they are very happy with it. Children even academic ones, seem to be stretched. I haven’t asked about financials as not appropriate but it’s never been raised in any discussions. The new Head seems to be raising standards across the board and is also looking at upping the numbers via different means. They’ve been partnering with netball and hockey clubs to attract more girls - look at the website as my daughter isn’t sporty so I didn’t look. I don’t think they will be making any big investments in building but I think that would be unwise as they would need to utilise debt.

Just my thoughts and hopefully we will hear from some other parents!

My daughter is at PF at the moment. We love the school. The new head coming in did bring some changes (mostly tightening up on the school rules) but we think this has been great for the girls. My daughter is not too sporty either the arts at PF are fantastic they really inspire the girls to follow their passions I think it’s great the sport are catching up with the arts!! This is the first I am hearing this financial stuff but not too worried as it is a fantastic school and my daughter is so happy here

happy to answer any more questions you have, what year is your daughter?

I'm also interested in this thread as it's one of our options for next school year.

I read their financial report for last year and I didn't see any red flags. As @AndreaKnowsBest says, they had a ~£300k drop in one year. However, I'm more interesting in why they had the drop. Perhaps they had a major building renovation? Who knows. A year-to-year drop doesn't tell you much.

If you look at the net debt and cash in hand, they have more cash than the previous year and a much better debt situation.

It seems like such a lovely school and we have been impressed with how personable the students have been on our visits as well as their GCSE results - they must be doing something right!

I would love to hear more opinions from people who have daughters already there!

Priors’ Field is where we are sending our DD.
It’s a great school and we are very happy our DD will thrive. I’m very cautious of what is said on Mumsnet re schools. Go to the school and speak with Ms Ireland. There was a loss last year but it was a year of change. The school when you visit, doesn’t look like it’s about to close. It’s becoming quite tiresome on here and a very negative campaign against the school. Lots of very happy parents and children there.

Our daughter is at Prior’s Field and we are very happy with the school. The Head is excellent, as are the teaching staff. From our experience, girls are genuinely seen and nurtured, encouraged to grow in confidence and comfortably stretched to fulfil their potential. There is an abundance of opportunities across sport, drama, art and music. It is a lovely school and we are very happy with the education, support and environment it provides our daughter.

HI @MiaAlice13 just wanted to say thank you (so much!) for updating this thread. A lot of times people don't come back to say the choice they ended up making so appreciate you sharing. I'm also looking at it for both my DDs.

Ps. Data from Novemeber 2025 shows numbers now at 336. Capacity 450.

https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/125322?searchQueryString=SelectedTab%3DEstablishments%26SearchType%3DLocation%26SearchType%3DLocation%26LocationSearchModel.Text%3DGU7%2B2RH%26LocationSearchModel.AutoSuggestValue%3D51.2068452%252c-0.640655%26b%3D1%26b%3D4