Looking for co-ed private school recommendations near Godalming for Years 3 and 5

[bettyday]

Hi!
We have decided to make the move from London in a couple of years to just outside London to get a bit more space and leave the hustle and bustle and are hoping to head to Godalming area or nearby there as we have family there and already love it.
We have two daughters who will be going into year 3 and year 5 when we move and we are looking for the right school for them and keen to hear any suggestions. Right now I like the sound of Cranleigh as it goes all through so no more change for them but I also like Aldro and Highfield & Brookham. Any experience with these schools? Or any other recommendations for the area?

my girls are smart but we are not aiming for anything overly academic and ideally co-ed. They love sport, acting and dance so definitely keen on somewhere that has a good amount of that. Any thoughts appreciated!

DD had a brilliant time at Aldro. She isn't the most academic but she absolutely thrived there because the extra-curricular side is so strong. Her best friend is more academically inclined and had a wonderful experience too, so it seems to cater well to different types of kids.The Director of Sport is very supportive and really believes in sport for all. We found the teachers to be nurturing and attentive. It has a lovely family feel that actually feels believable when you are there. DD definitely felt stretched in many ways and got offered a place at her school of choice after Y8. Feel free to DM me for specifics.

Thank you so much for your response and this is so lovely to hear! We are looking for somewhere exactly like this. Can I ask how it is socially for the kids I.e play dates etc? Are most people pretty local? I’m only used to London and mostly walking to friend’s houses so keen to understand how different it might be for the kids socially?

At those ages you probably need to think about where you want them to be for senior school and work backwards. Look at Leavers Destinations on prep/private school websites. Do you want senior school from Year 7 or Year 9? There's Charterhouse co-ed in Godalming from Year 9, RGS Guildford will be Co-ed by then and starts from Year 7. Churcher's College further down the A3 (Junior and Senior). St Eds in Hindhead is all through Co-Ed.

A significant number of children live in Godalming, Guildford and Farnham areas - about 20mins drive away. DD was invited to lots of playdates and her friends lived from 10-30 mins away.
As pp has said, it's good to keep an eye on senior schools as well. A lot of pupils go on to 13+ schools but a good number of them go to day schools as well.

I’ve got children at Aldro and couldn’t be happier. They love going to school, there’s the right mix of academic, sport and extra curricular. If you aren’t academic, you don’t fall out of sight. I’ve got one bright child, all about the academics and one who couldn’t care less. They’re both genuinely flourishing in different areas. They’ve got an incredibly strong pastoral team too and I feel like my children are seen.
We chose between 4 schools in the end and I’m so happy that went with Aldro.