Moving to Surrey - questions on schools and sports

[Rsbl]

Hi,

We are an American family of 4 living in Switzerland moving to the Surrey area. The kids (girl 13, boy 11) currently attend an IB school. Here are my somewhat numerous questions:

• While my husband thinks we should continue with an IB school I am interested in a state or independent school. I don't really understand the difference between the two. My children are fairly bright but I've heard the exams are very difficult and if the child hasn't been training for them it would be difficut to receive good marks. As such, are the non selective schools good? I've read many posts and it appears there is something called a cachment? What is that? Is it worthwhile to change from IB to the English system? They will probably go to the US for university.

• If we do continue with the IB we are looking at ISL Surrey and ACS Cobham. I would be very interested in comments on each. I've looked for prior posts and there are some, but they all seem to be a few years old, so looking for updated information. I'm interested in primarily their college acceptances in the US, thoughts on ISL and how they are handling their first soon to be graduating class, the strength of the foreign languages (both kids are fairly strong in French and don't want them to lose it), and traffic to get to and from the schools.

• Ice hockey - my son wants to continue playing. It seems there is a team in Guildford, but I'm not sure if that is easily drivable from Woking or Cobham? Are there other teams?

• Competitive swimming - my daughter swims competively and I see there is a team in Woking and one in Guildford. If we end up in Cobham would either of those teams be too far away for early morning practices? Are there other teams we should be considering? She is hoping for a swim scholarship in college so the swimming is pretty important.

• How is the commute to Waterloo from Guildford, Woking and Cobham? We haven't decided where to live yet and I'm interested in comments on each of those areas.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

In your shoes I would go for one of the independent (fee paying schools offering IB because your eldest is 13: it would be extremely hard on them to move to the UK and possibly go straight into the GCSE run-up (GCSEs are a two year course).

FYI State schools will not be at all flexible on education out of the chronological year group. (I understand this is more flexible in the U.S.)

Another complicating factors is that you have to have actually moved into a home to apply for state schools (many of which are oversubscribed in Surrey).

One key thing. When people in the UK talk about Hockey they mean field Hockey. They will always call IceHockey, Ice Hockey.

Good point, mummy time.

Oh yes I was just going to recommend a hockey team but you mean ice hockey! LOL

Contact the schools directly. There will be a section on their website for admissions. The person who deals with admissions may be called the registrar. The will happily send you a prospectus and arrange a time to show you round the school.

Contact the independent schools directly yourself. After all, you're the parent. What does, 'hire a firm to contact the independent schools' mean ?

ToastedOrFresh there seem to be many firms (HollandPark, londonpreprep, and possibly good schhols guide) that handle the admissions process. I've been told they are experts in helping parents narrow school choices (wow there are a lot of schools) and then helping to fill out the application in a manner that is best for each school. Apparently they also help the child prepare for entrance exams. I think these firms are quite popular for expats like me who don't quite understand the UK system and are overwhelmed by the number of choices.

Both my children are young for their year and my daughter is likely out of her year group (October).

I am still a little confused on the entrance exams. It sounds like there is one key entrance exam for 11 year olds. Is this taken in January for children in year 7 (so typically 11 or 12 year olds) or is it taken by year 6 (typically 10-11 year olds). If a child misses that exam then I assume its up to the individual private school to give an exam? Would that exam be in the January time frame? What happens if you are applying to several schools? Does that mean several exams?

Again sorry for all the questions. The answers you've given so far are extremely helpful and I'm pouring over each one.

Most independent day schools have their main entry in year 7 with exams in Jan of year 6. Some independents , usually the ones fed by traditional prep schools, also intake at 13. You need to check when the main entry is , some like Epsom used to only intake at 13 but are introducing a year 7. Others intake over 75% at 11 then fewer later on into year 9 through 13+/common entrance. It is possible to enter at other times, if there are spaces available. The academic assessment is unlikely to be so rigorous if there is other evidence that the child and school will benefit. They are also used to children from overseas not following the same syllabus, indeed Epsom for example has overseas boarders.

An October birthday will be one of the oldest in the year, as in Uk August 31st is the cut off date. Do you mean she has effectively been advanced( I know Swiss cut offs differ) in which case being placed in correct year would enable her to fill any gaps before taking public exams.

You don't need a consultant to apply for you.

Applying for an independent school means filling out a form with biographical information (which only you know) and sending a deposit.

You don't have to share you philosophy of education and list your values or anything like that. You don't have to beg to be admitted.

Selection is based on performance in the entrance exam and possibly an interview.

Entrance exams for Y7 take place in January of Y6. There is a bit of an informal pecking order where the most selective schools go first, perhaps the first Saturday in January. Schools will generally allow you to take the exam in your own school if you live overseas. If there is more than one exam on the day, there will be a make-up day.

It's important to know the nature of the exam, so ask the registrar. If it's based on the English National Curriculum, then they should have an alternative for overseas students. It's most likely to be a maths paper, an English comprehension and a short piece of creative writing, or papers in verbal and non-verbal reasoning. It's important to be familiar with the style of VR/NVR but you can't revise as such, therefore buying one set of Bond Assessment papers is sufficient. You can also get Key Stage 2 revision guides for Maths and English.

Non-selective schools may still have a January assessment day, but this is to get to know your child. These schools are not usually over-subscribed.

Applying to multiple schools means multiple exams. The exception is if the school uses the 11+ Common Entrance which is set by ISEB and administered in the primary school. It is marked by the senior school, however, so different schools might have different pass marks.

When I worked in a prep school, I think we only had two senior schools that used the 11+ CE. Most schools set their own exams. 13+CE is pretty standard for Y9 entry to traditional public schools, and this is taken in June of Y8. It follows from pre-selection in Y6 or 7, however, and it is rare to fail.

If your DD is 13 now, she would be one of the eldest students in Year 8, so you'd be applying for Y9 entry. It wouldn't be benefial to push for her to be a year ahead as she could miss out on GCSE Science which typical starts in Y9 in independent schools, and also the decision making for the future which takes place in the spring of Y9.

The first thing to do is establish which year group the dc are. If your younger dc is already y7 equivalent then exams can be taken at any time and they can start mid year, if school is happy. Has your dd just turned 13 (y8) or is about to turn 14 (y9)? What is your timeframe, when do you expect to move?

If it is a company transfer a relocation consultant is usual, to help coordinate school and accommodation. But you may find it easier to make contact with schools yourselves to discuss the situation. Consultants tend to be biased towards certain schools with whom they have dealt before and are less likely to investigate state options as there is assumption you can and will pay.

If he turned 11 before the first of September, he'll be in Year 7 now. An independent school will still have him sit the entrance exam (at any time) and will offer a place if they have a space. He would have to really bomb it for them to turn you r$$$$ away.

A state school is tricky because you need to have an address before they will consider you, and good schools aren't likely to have spaces. There are enough dire schools in Surrey that the good ones always have waiting lists for Year 7.

I disagree ginandjag, if the DS has missed the main intake for year 7 (exam taken in year 6) entrance for more popular independents is likely to be pretty competitive as few places are available.

The UK year group is very important to figure out.

If I was using an educational consultant I would use the Gabbitas trust or the Good Schools guide.

How old are your children, and when are their birthdays? If your DD was 11 before 1st September this year she would be in year 7. If she turned 11 after that she would be in year 6.
This is only crucial for state schools, private (independent) schools will sometimes take out of year. But this is something to negotiate on.

Are your school fees going to be paid? Otherwise they tend to be about £18000, and a bit more at ACS. Fees can be assumed to rise 5% per year, in addition to any increases due to progressing through stages (eg. Junior to Senior).

How long are you planning to be in the UK? If long term, is there any specific reasons you would want them to go to a US rather than UK or European University?

ACS is a great school, especially if you are not going to be here long term, and are likely to live more in an expat "bubble". They also offer a excellent school bus service from places like Guildford and Woking (including a door to door service).
ISL is much newer.

Lots of overseas pupils do manage to get into the "usual" private schools, including the highly selective ones. I have known a US family who were here for a few years and all their children went to RGS and GHS in Guildford, which are top selective day schools.

On the other hand lots of expats put their children through the excellent State schools. You can always "appeal" to get a place at your preferred school, although places do occur even at the most popular schools.

Thanks! My daughter is in year 9 now, youngest in her year (she turned 13 on Friday). She was pushed ahead when we were in the US. She is extremely motivated; school and swimming are her whole life. Because she is so motivated she is at the top of her class in many subjects. As such I'd rather not hold her back.

Based on the comments if holding her back is a no go it sounds like state schools are out (although it sounds like they are over-subscribed anyway, and we don't yet have an address in the UK). It sounds like independents aren't that hard to get into but her out of year age might be an issue.

My son is in year 7 (turned 11 in July) and while capable he isn't nearly as interested in school or his results. I'm glad to hear that the independent schools in that area aren't too hard to get into.

It sounds like I should go ahead and make contact with the independent schools. We are looking at entry in fall of 2016. Also it sounds like the entrance exams are easy to schedule.

I think my son would significantly benefit from an all boys school (as I think many boys his age have similar motivational issues). It seems there is just one in the Guildford area - the Royal Grammar School. Does anyone have any feedback on RGS - is it easy to get into? Does it have positive reviews?

RGS is very popular but hard to get into, more so because you have missed the main entrance. Worth investigating. Boys living in guildford do go to lots of other schools by school bus or (public transport) train.

So in a UK state school your daughter would be in year 9 (and one of the eldest). It'd be sensible for her to be in that year group when you move this academic year to give her settling in time, especially if you choose a school where she'll be doing GCSEs.

Have you seen the independent schools chat section of a (not for profit) website called the 11+ forum? If not you might find it useful for info on specific schools' entry requirements.

Rugs is an academic school. They have a high entry criteria and are massively over subscribed. Even very bright boys struggle to get in.
It's wise to have a back up.

Even in an independent school it would not be common to admit her into y10 next September, not least because she would need to have committed to her GCSE options before then, and in some cases the workload starts in y9. I suspect you may find that being ahead in IS does not necessarily correlate to same in many selective independents. The assessment process may resolve this. It is good she is self motivated but the ethos will take some adjustment. If her French is good enough she may have the option to take it earlier than y11. You are correct in assuming the state system would not allow her to be advanced.

You have to ask the school if they have any vacancies. If they do, they will been keen to fill it. If they don't they can put you on a waiting list.

Your daughter having just turned 13 would be in current Y8 so starting Y9 in September. She would be one of the older pupils in her year. This is a good starting point because no-one will have chosen their GCSE subjects yet so she effectively has a year to bed down , get used to the new system and then make her choices. If she goes to a private school there is also the chance that she will not be one of the only new pupils as this can be an entry point from prep schools. However, because of that there may be no spaces available! theres no real substitute for getting on the phone and seeing how the land lies. As your daughter is academic Guildford High School might be one to look at.

The daughters age corresponds to year 8.

Your son would be going into Y 7 in September if he has a July birthday, and would be one of the youngest in his year. It might be worth looking at prep schools for him with a view to going to senior schools at 13. Look at Feltonfleet, Parkside, Danes Hill, Downsend all v near Cobham area. Others will no doubt advise suitable Guildford area prep schools!

Reeds might be a good option son.

Homebythesea, op's son is already 11, so looking at y8 entry in September 2016. I wouldn't consider a prep school at that stage, y8 there is all about achieving Common Entrance/13 + exams to next school. RGS will have already offered places for their 13+ entry for that peer group, and have a waiting list from their 11+ , so not sure how open they are towards new, possibly not so academic, candidates at that stage.