Secondary Schools

[Ka4237]

Morning,

Looking for someone who could advise me on the schooling situation in Guildford. Currently in the process of purchasing a house, and wanted to know how successful parents have been with outstanding schools in and around the areas.

Look forward to responses.

K

You probably need to repost with Guildford on the title to get replies. What are are your dc?

Do you mean catchment areas? Or how successful the outstanding schools are?

And I agree, Guildford in the title will help attract posters with the right local knowledge.

Guildford has 5 state secondaries (with 2 more in Guildford borough). A quick look at Surrey County council website will give you information on applying to secondary schools.
Basically there is a good Catholic School - but unless you are a Catholic or at least get into a Catholic Junior school you are unlikely to get in in normal admissions. The other two highly desirable schools are: Guildford County and George Abbot - the admissions areas for last year for both should be on the Surrey CC website - do not trust rightmove, it is very misleading as they are not circular. (For instance traditionally you have had more chance of getting into George Abbot from Send than central Guildford, even if the later is closer.)
The next is Christ's College in North Guildford, a C of E school - not as sought after and you'll have to find more up to date info to judge it.
finally there is King's College also in the north, had a bad OFSTED recently - after seeming to improve for a bit.

If you are applying outside the normal admissions cycle - well I have know pupils be admitted to all the local schools both due to vacancies and appealing after moving to the area.

Sorry if I'm repeating anything already written:
George Abbott tends to be the most popular state secondary school in Guildford but the catchment area is very small and housing is priced accordingly although as pp has said there has been a slightly odd special case for Send/Ripley in the past (not sure what current situation is). It is a very large school (around 2000 including a large sixth form where many ex private school kids go).
St Peters is the excellent Catholic school and from what I understand you need to show a lot of evidence - church attendance etc. - to get in.
Guildford County is pretty much town centre and has about half the number of students of George Abbott. It is increasingly popular and moved from good to outstanding in recent ofsted inspection.
Christ's college (previously Bishop Reindorp) is on Bellfields estate and is less popular but is an improving school and moved to brand new buildings about 8 or so years ago which made a big difference.
King's college is in park barn estate in North Guildford and is much less popular. I believe it has under 500 students. It was rated inadequate in last year's ofsted report but rumour has it they working hard to improve it.

Private secondary schools in Guildford itself- RGS (Royal Grammar School) boys only day school, very academic (one of best in the country), really tough entrance exam.
GHS (Guildford High School) girls only day school - similar to RGS.
Tormead - girls only day school - slightly less academically selective but still very academic school, bit more rounded overall.
Not far from Guildford:
St Catherine's, Bramley - all girls very academic boarding school bit more "jolly hockey sticks" than the two girls schools in town.
Other private schools not too far:
Cranleigh school - mixed, expensive boarding school, academic, amazing facilities
St John's School leatherhead - previously all boys now mixed (ratio still heavily to boys) boarding school.
Priorsfield (near Godalming) - all girls boarding traditionally known as less academic school but girls still do well.