Priors Field

[bettyro]

I've heard their A level results have really shot up this year - any thoughts on why? DD due to start at senior school next year and had been looking at Tormead and PF - doesn't seem to be much in it academically and PF might suit DD being a smaller school.

Tormeads have too..... don't know why! Maybe the new structure suits them better.
We looked at both, and really, in the end, it was down to gut feel. We chose Tormead because I felt it had more structure, and I liked that it is in town, more accessible, even though PF is very close to me by car, we are the other side of the hill and Puttenham is a nightmare in the morning, best avoided! We did like PF but for me, it just felt a bit old fashioned, and a bit too laid back. I have friends with children at both, even within the same family, and they are both very good schools.

Results have shot up nationally and the climate with university (lower demand for places at lots of good unis) means it is easier for girls who historically may have struggled to get places, got them quite easily through clearing this year.

I've just come out of the blur of looking around the Guildford girls' schools. It is completely personal and all the schools are great in their own way and for the right girl.

For us, I have to agree with PP, Prior's Field was too laid back and we felt DD needed something to aspire too rather than an uber 'cosy' environment. We just wanted something a bit more aspirational. Which is ironic as their marketing really pushed aspiration but we didn't feel it compared to the other schools we saw. It almost felt like they were pushing it to cover something up. We really hoped it was going to be a smaller, perhaps more modern version of St Cats but ended up preferring St Cats by leaps and bounds. The girls there seemed a lot more enthusiastic and engaged.
Our DD is the type who will lower her own expectations so needs something to strive for. This was confirmed by a friend who taught at PF recently for a term or so and said the behaviour is not good (she has also taught at other Surrey private schools) and academically it does have a very wide intake and generally less 'work ethos' than other schools. She did say there are lots of experienced staff but the new head hasn't done a huge amount except a new pink uniform. PF is quite full and always 3/4 classes now so actually not much smaller than Tormead.

Having said that, look for yourself. There are lots of things which we loved there and it might be just right for your DD.

It seem strange to me that people would say that Priorsfield's school is a non academic school and too laid back. I would say it is just occupying a niche in the market. I’m sure most mumsnet parents have that child who is brilliant at everything. Some of us don’t. In fact some of us have shy unassuming children who need love, care and attention. To coax out what little academic brilliance there is in our child. The reason why it can occupy this niche is precisely because it is laid back and non academic.
My daughter entered the school in year 7 she didn’t do to well at primary was not very talented but otherwise a polite nice child.
So how does the school get the most out of your child to aspire to what they can be. The teachers they hire are mainly quite effective to inspire the children.
My dd took her GCSE Chinese in year 10 after some planning with the school. She got an A. I think all private schools who cater for international students should make sure all students take a GCSE of the country of origin. This will help them have a qualifications to apply for jobs back home.
My DD took he maths GCSE early and got an A* but before everyone starts with the Asians are good at maths remember she entered school in year 7. Although , I did hear the head of maths has moved to charterhouse. BTW she was failing maths in HK primary.
English my daughter was in bottom set but she was encouraged to read a lot of books which she still does. She reads as she enjoys it not because she is forced too. I think the English department in Priorsfield is second to none. My daughter went from a D at the start of year 10 to an A in English as a first language at GCSE.
Although my daughter only got a C for history which she admits is a bit low for her she did enjoy history. Mr. Carter who I think they should bring back had my daughter enthralled in year 7 which let her appreciate history throughout her time at Priorsfield.
Hmm she got 7’s for chemistry and biology but did badly in physics her teacher was really bad apparently (kids take it with a pinch of salt). Yet other teachers were at hand such as Mr. Collins who helped her get a 5.
So for people to say that the academic intake at year 7 is below average. I say thank goodness Priorsfield does have a mixed intake. If not my daughter may not have gotten the results she got at another school.
Junior boarding is great under Ms Jones who provides a safe environment for the girls with reasonable freedoms. Yes a hard line school with rules and regulations may be what a highly academic child needs at year 7. They should go to St Cats.

For me priorsfield does have its problems. It’s pastoral care is second to none. Mr Rood is the obnoxious northerner who all students love to hate. Yet he is probably the most loved out of all the teachers. A go to teacher if you just want to get away from it all.
I do hope Ms Kring will not change the school to accept only the academic as many schools already do that but continues to take in a mixed intakes to really help and teach those who have not developed into what they can achieve in year 11.
That is what they mean by aspire to be what you can.

Thanks Kenlee - and absolutely, as you say, it is perfect for the right girl. My girl is far from a 'brilliant at everything type' and certainly fits the shy category. But she personally would be better lower down in a more academic school, rather than middling at Priors Field. It really is just personal.
What you say matches the description of the school my friend who taught there for a while gave. She felt it was changing away from being brilliant at value added due to things like behaviour (meaning quieter girls weren't getting what they deserved while louder girls are disrupting), overly relaxed rules and less structure which means it has a very different feel. From what I've heard, it used to be brilliant at pushing the girls, having high expectations of them socially and helping them find their own niche.
I really hope it sticks to what it is good at and the niche market gap it fills.

If your child is lazy I would not send to Prior's Field- if they are motivated they will get the same results as if they had gone to St Cats . We sent our daughter to PF and she got straightA* without too much pressure

I think absolutely it has everything to do with the child. I just wanted to put a balance to what the school has done right. I have had plenty of gripes with the school.
So let me list what I think the school needs to improve on to retain it’s niche. Like violet says it needs to retain it’s value added. It has become more of a traditional hard boarding school rather than the progressive one that we entered.
Dining Priorsfield prides itself on its dining and rightly so, under Chef Ricky the food is excellent. The trouble is when chef Ricky isn’t there. The laundry is a shambles they are forever losing stuff. Credit to junior boarding especially MS pretty and MS Jones as they are always looking for stuff that is lost.
Boarding itself is great for those who like to join in. My DD required a lot of coaxing and some of the GAPS were less than congenial.

The school has its academic stars like skanks DD but most girls are just run of the mill girls. In fact to be honest most just want to do nothing and be nothing. The teaching for the humanities is absolutely brilliant. Although , the parents of bottom set had to write a letter to school to ask for Ms . Farr to teach English as without her I do believe bottom set would have failed.
I also think violet is correct the more boisterous girls are beginning to run the school rather than it being a nice school it may become just another ordinary school. The school needs to clamp down on these issues.
To be honest I think the school can also help the Asians integrate more. They are placed on the side lines. I would say just to make the payments rather than any involvement in the school. This may irk them severely but they aren’t there to sit in there room playing on their phones or to sit at the dining table in a group by themselves.

If your child is lazy I would not send to Prior's Field

This is exactly how I felt. DD is not lazy as such but needs the type of school where things are more compulsory and the culture is to work hard and want to do well. I didn't get this feeling from PF... I felt it was more lowering expectations to keep girls happy and confident. Great for the right child who works hard and needs zero pressure. That isn't my DD!

Interesting to read these negative comments about Priorsfield!
My daughter has been there for a year and my perception is very different. Firstly, i believe it to be a very happy grounded school where the girls are respectful and kind to each other. Secondly, i think the working environment is very focused and the girls are closely monitored with work regularly consolidated on. Thirdly, i haven't heard anything about poor behaviour?
Unlike all the other girls schools in the area it is non selective and on that basis we are extremely impressed with the fantastic results the school gets and how motivated and happy the girls are.

@nelbel I'm interested to hear your recent experiences. I have heard from current parents that they don't stretch the academically able. Do you have any experience of this?

We are looking for a nurturing school that enables pupils to reach their potential and to feel inspired and self-assured. Where would people recommend? We have looked round many but I find them all very polished when it comes to their marketing at the open days and the pupils themselves are all very positive. It's difficult to differentiate.

@Italianna as a parent at Prior's Field I'd say stretch is offered often. Most preps have a stretch option and teachers offer opportunities for girls to extend learning in their subjects but what we like is that they also help the pupils to find their passion and drive, rather than forcing them to do things. There seems to be a perception that you can't do nurturing and stretch but PF does do it. The girls we encounter are individuals, they have a spark that makes us believe our daughter will leave knowing how she learns and more than ready for university. They have smaller visit days when you can meet the Head and key Senior staff so you can ask specific questions which might help your decision.