St Theresa's Effingham year 7 2026

[PanicStationsEveryone]

Looking to join St Ts. We liked the school, but it wasn't our first choice with regards to the school itself, but logistics for us would be SO much easier with DD here.

However heard from a parent at the prep school that low numbers are actually staying on and lots are going to other indepdent schools, this particular friend did some maths and says the numbers for this year's year 7 must be in the 30s.

Im going to email the school, but does anyone know any more, and would this be an issue? I assume a normal stTs year woukd be 70 or so?

I know its a tough year for independent schools this year now all the labour policies have kicked in and cost of living, but that seems a little low to be viable - that and the Effingham Trust has been a bit of a jumble over the past few years working itself out, something we thought we could overlook for logistics sake, but maybe this is a bridge too far of confirmed.

Interesting..... not sure anyone will be able to help here though. Maybe email or call to ask.

Yes best to ask them about numbers, girls join in Years 9 too. I wouldn't rely on a parent trying to calculate as they won't know who is joining.
It's a quietly impressive school with outstanding pastoral care. The teachers are easy to contact and run clinics for extra help. DC are always busy and working very hard.
It's part of Effingham Trust, the head of St George's is taking over in September and the sixth form has Cranmore boys now. Manor House girls are joining in September so all year groups will increase.
Having spent a lot of time getting to know other schools, this was the best fit for our family and DC and I hope your daughter enjoys it too.

I’d personally try not to compare with schools like Tormead, GHS and St Cats.These schools business models are different, as a different type of school.
If you like the school go with it. It’s so hard to know which will close down in the current environment. There was lots of hearsay at our prep school four years ago but is now doing really well, and Longacre, which I thought well established as not much competition, is not. Are many from Manor moving across? Also remember that prep schools go to 13 so if you have any problems can move for Year 9.

Such a lovely school - really nice ethos I know girls who are thriving there both academically and pastorally.

Ive heard a great many have gone to St John's alongside others with a pretty small internal cohort staying on. A friend of ours as StTs is taking an entrance test at our school. I know movement is always happening between every school, but like Priors Field, the word doing the rounds isnt that positive, which in itself causes harm, no matter how good things might potentially be in reality. Schools are having a hard time managing this at the moment. I even saw a IG post from StCats the other day proudly proclaiming they have enough kids for 3 classes at year 6 level - in previous years, especially under the previous head, they would never had done that, its all heavy marketing in a desperate market.

Yes it's probably true that many schools are having to work harder to attract or keep students - other than the London spill offs like St John's for whom the VAT hike isn't as much of an issue. The thing is also - parents get extremely flattered when their child gets into a school like St John's and so move their kid - maybe not realising that a) their would never have got in years ago but entrance requirements have dropped massively and b) their child may not thrive in that environment and different schools are right for different children. In my experience Many parents still like to be flattered and take the place with more social qudos rather than truly thinking where will my child thrive?

Same thing happening at GHS. Letting lots in this year, even girls who didnt get offers at 'lesser academic' schools.

Many parents jump at it for the kudos, without much thought into the 'fit' - also its going to be jammed full on that small site with the extra classes this year.

Also - in the end standards drop - the days of creaming off the best to start with are over and businesses (as its not a charity like most) like GHS have to do what they can to pay their bills - and the bills of their other schools which aren't doing so well, like Rowan prep and the baskwt case of the royal school.

I have to say in my opinion the intake at the school is way down and people are leaving in droves. Having had three DD there I would not do it again and have left. The staff turnover is huge, the senior team do multiple roles, the atmosphere between parents and girls is dreadful, there will be a new CEO who hopefully will turn it around but there is a huge amount of work to do. The bullying is a problem in my opinion and having experienced two other different schools the difference is huge. I would really struggle to find a positive about the school. If I had my time again I would look at somewhere else for year 7 . Also I think the new intake is around 50 max

I think intake is down at all independent schools septembers yr7, even the popular ones will be down due to the economic issues we all face. I work across the state sector and know quite a few people in these schools, and 50 doesnt sound that bad compared to others ive heard of, some with as little as numbers in the 30's and one as low as 25 ish!

I think this will be the way forward - and schools will need to adjust themselves for smaller numbers in the future and adapt so they remain financially viable. And, fundamentally, thats an OK thing, nothing to panic about.

Talking local only - this is easy to do if you’re one of the bigger schools locally, like The Effingham Trust, St Cats, Tormead, RGS (who have seen the need to go co-ed to protect numbers).

But the smaller independent preps and less secure secondary schools, like Priors Field, will find adapting hard as over the years they've already shrunk a lot. Also, schools like Tormead, GHS (who have seemingly lowered their entry bar) and RGS (had to go co-ed) do have a geographical advantage and all have strong finances/Guildford assets to leverage against if needs be.

@Honestma , on your other point though - the 'experience' - well that's their actual issue (despite being a relatively large entity), in my mind. As, if its unpopular, people are leaving and the way it is run is not going well - well that's something that will hurt and becomes a terminal down spiral!

Ive also heard things about the new CEO and im yet to be persuaded, but early-ish days! Although, 3 days a week, work from home, etc. for a ceo, (which is what the advert said!) doesn't wreak 'commitment to the cause' in my mind.

Yes I agree the down turn is everywhere but that combined with how badly the school is run, staff turnover, lack of pastoral care, missing head of departments, means that if I was making the decision to do private secondary I would look for the places that are still full to the brim or close to. I think the new CEO would need to work full time 7 days a week to make a significant change.

Ive heard its a bit of a basket case, i only know it from knowing parents who were at Manor Prep. The StTheresas bit seems to be the achililies heel in their view and the whole thing/concept doesnt really gel together nicely. They have a boy at Cranmore too and I think the girl ended up at Tormead. As Cranmore parents tthey always said that Cranmore would've been better linking up with Tormead than StTheresas but that ship has sailed.

Current parent here and totally different experience at St Ts. Pastoral care has been outstanding and we're impressed with the GCSE work and 6th Form. The staff are always available and incredibly supportive.
Have heard from some girls that Manor House are upset about moving over. It's a shame there is negativity.
Unfortunately teenage girls can be mean, family friends have had very mixed experiences at all Guildford schools and St John's.
St Ts is a very different school to Tormead and we welcome this difference. Tormead mix with RGS boys. The new CEO is well liked by St George's parents, they are sad to lose her which bodes well for St Ts.

Can I ask if you have any other schools you have been to to compare this to ?

Apparently not.

Yes, have experienced other schools, forgotten about this thread. No school is perfect and we are very happy with our choice. Good luck finding the right one for you and your DC.