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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Non-selective schools Berkshire/Surrey?

33 replies

muffintopsy · 12/10/2011 12:51

Can anyone recommend non selecetive senior schools in Berkshire (Ascot area) or Surrey. DD not the best at maths and english (worried that she would fail entrance tests to more selective establishments!) but very into science and sports

OP posts:

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mummytime · 22/11/2011 07:37

Okay so the OP must live very near BDB. But if she is applying for an "in year" entry she might be lucky and get a place at one of Surrey's good State schools, depends on who is leaving. However the reason in general that a lot of Surrey Private schools are so selective, is that the less able : a) go to one of the good state schools b) parents move to send them to such a school, c) may move to send them to one of the less selective.
The selective schools get away with being so selective as a) wealthy people are always moving in, b) they have good connections to as far away as London.

But you cannot really say "Surrey doesn't have good state schools" based on BDB (which no one not even the most impoverished families want to go to, and is a disgrace that it hasn't been totally shut as the reputation is probably too hard to turn around now).

dizzyblonde · 21/11/2011 21:55

Farnborough Hill is selective but not too selective, very good on a pastoral level as well and ends up with good results.

AlexandraMary · 21/11/2011 20:43

I'm in Surrey too, so I am not completely ignorant.

MigratingCoconuts · 21/11/2011 20:40

ok, calm down and chill a bit.

I'm just coming from the point of view of all those hard working children and teachers who don't want to be completely rubbished by people who have never met them or been anywhere near their school, simply by being 'in Surrey'

Not trying to rub your nose in it, just trying correct a rather sweeping statement.

I'll leave you to your advice-giving now and hide this thread....

AlexandraMary · 21/11/2011 20:20

It certainly has SOME, but it's not really helpful to go on about how great the county's schools are when the OP is nowhere near any of those schools.

As someone whose closest school is the worst in the entire county without a hope in hell of getting into any other, it can be quite galling to hear people raving about their wonderful comprehensives and urging everyone to join the party.

MigratingCoconuts · 21/11/2011 20:11

Maybe so, I can't comment on that particular area of Surrey...but i was answering a previous post which stated, and I quote:

Surrey does not have great state schools, especially the part of Surrey the OP is in.

and I do know quite a few other areas of surrey, very well indeed. This statement I have quoted is simply unfair.

AlexandraMary · 21/11/2011 17:49

Migrating coconuts - not where the op is though.

ColourMeWithChaos · 20/11/2011 17:32

One of my DBro's daughters is at the Marist in Ascot and absolutely loves it.

MigratingCoconuts · 20/11/2011 17:31

and Surrey does have great state schools

MigratingCoconuts · 20/11/2011 17:30

RAA is a state boarding school whose reputation has improved over recent years. I would give it a look if I was in that area.

(beautiful setting!!)

MrsTD · 20/11/2011 15:01

Does any one know about Royal Alexandra and Albert School. Dont think they push the kids - we are looking to move back to london? Does anyone know ahout The north London International School?

muffintopsy · 07/11/2011 21:00

Lots of negatives re Oakfield I'm afraid

OP posts:

LIZS · 06/11/2011 11:22

Box Hill is selective, but its criteria not as high as majority of others and storng on co-curricular. Recently swutched to IB if that is a consideration. St Johns Leatherhead has only just started to take girls, so may be a little flexible on academic achievement, but think it would be 13+ entry.

Happymum22 · 06/11/2011 11:16

Priors field in godalming is fab for less academic girls, lots and lots of extra support. My friends DD had massive maths issues before she went but came out with an A at gcse from extra lessons and doing an early morning maths revision club or something (can't remember exact details sorry! Just remember her mum raving about it!) in the run up to her exams. The results aren't shining but have huge value added and many girls do very well, and far beyond expectations based on their ability.
Its both traditional boarding school (but lots of day girls too) and very with the times, really listening to what the girls want and making education relevant. By sixth form lots go to charterhouse/st johns/wellington/godalming college for a mixed school, but a good number stay, friend's DD did and is boarding- absolutely loves the boarding.
Was small classes, but know my friend says this has changed as its grown hugely in popularity.
Haven't heard many negatives...

daisysue2 · 04/11/2011 09:37

Also have just remembered another non selective girls school in Surrey, Oakfield School in West Byfleet.

daisysue2 · 04/11/2011 08:59

Box Hill isn't selective and supports children with Dyslexia so has the support there for children with some special needs. Notre Dame expects the children to pass the 11 plus but isn't quite as selective as others in that it give preference to Catholics, siblings etc. Also it gives preference for children in Juniors so if you can move to the prep now do.

MiraNova · 13/10/2011 21:38

DD has a friend from Woking who goes to The Royal - catches the train every day - but she doesn't live too far from the train station, which would make a difference.

Have you looked at Prior's Field in Godalming?

MindtheGappp · 13/10/2011 16:39

Surrey does not have great state schools, especially the part of Surrey the OP is in.

mummytime · 13/10/2011 14:45

There is bullying at all Surrey schools. I do know of one girl who moved to St Theresa's because of bullying.
The thing is Surrey has great State schools, so the privates feel they have to make a difference, and that is often being selective (or super selective) as parents are paying for A/A*s.
Farnborough Hill is another school I've heard good things about, they have an entrance exam but I don't think its too hard (friends daughter got in from average sets of a state comp).

muffintopsy · 13/10/2011 14:02

Manor House has been recommended. Re. St Theresa's a friend's daughter had a bullying prob there so not keen. I can't believe their are virtually no non-selective Surrey schools..ggrrrr.

OP posts:

mummytime · 13/10/2011 13:53

Have you looked at Manor House in Bookham? Or St Theresa's is not too selective.

muffintopsy · 13/10/2011 13:25

Thanks for all your suggestions. The Royal in Haslemere looks lovely but too far (we're Woking area) am going to investigate your suggestions MindTheGappp but distance may be a prob. Going to have a look at Hurst Lodge Open Day with DD on Monday.

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MindtheGappp · 12/10/2011 22:34

I am assuming that the OP lives somewhere between Bagshot and Egham.

I don't think Haslemere, or even Guildford, is on the cards.

MiraNova · 12/10/2011 21:53

There's The Royal School in Haslemere if it's not too far for you. They do run a shuttle bus from Haslemere station which is popular.

MindtheGappp · 12/10/2011 21:48

In Windsor, there is Brigidine (girls). In Ascot, Marist, St George's (girls), and LVS (mixed). In Slough, Long Close (mixed). In Maidenhead, Clares Court (girls). In Gerards Cross, St Mary's (girls).

These are all the non-selective schools for girls that I can think of. The Surrey ones do tend to be selective.

This list is not a recommendation for any particular school, but I am happy to share my opinions on any that interest you.

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