SWPS travel

[Esherdad]

Does anybody use the train to get from Esher to SWPS (Sir William Perkins). I wondered if this was a common route for girls not using the school coach. On paper it looks quite straight forward but it does have one change which for a new yr 7 may be a bit daunting compared to routes to other schools.

Hi Esherdad, our yr7 daughter travels to SWPS from Esher. She catches one of the school buses. Have you checked with SWPS to see if there is a bus route you could join? I know there are several girls from the Esher/Claygate area joining SWPS this coming September so they might even put on a new route. Otherwise, yes, girls do catch the bus on the Esher line. I don't personally know anyone who gets on at Esher but I know that lots of girls use that line so must be getting on at Esher or before or after. They have to change at Weybridge. It is a very easy change and literally, hundreds are doing the same thing so there is no way of getting lost. Just a small issue of having to wait around for 15/20 mins some days for the connecting train. The Chertsey station is so close to SWPS and hundreds of girls are doing the very open and easy 2 min walk ,so much less daunting I think that the 10 min walk from Guildford station to Tormead or multiple buses some girls have to do for Surbiton. Welcome! We have been very happy over this past year.

Not Esther, buy my DDs have all used public transport to get to SWPS.

The afternoons are much more flexible for them, as they can choose whether to stay for activities or prep, or go home at 3.30.

It also means they are independent.

Hi sollyfromsurrey, thanks very much for your reply. My daughter starts SWPS in September and will hopefully use the school coach in yr 7. However we'd just received the letter saying places on it were "first come first served" which was a bit of a shock as we hadn't considered alternatives. Our eldest daughter goes to GHS everyday on the train from Hinchley Wood but from the offset they make it clear that is the route to school and at the start of yr 7 they run a "train buddy" system, so although from day 2 they don't really need their buddies it does put your mind at ease beforehand. That journey is also much easier as there are no changes. But its good to know so many girls go to SWPS on the train, thanks for the info. Makes me feel a bit more relaxed should we not get a place on the coach. She cant wait to start tbh, I haven't read a bad thing about the school and we've been so impressed by their open days and friendliness. We turned down other much closer schools we were so impressed.

Hi CraftyGin, Thank for the reply. I think for the first year we'd feel easier if she could go on the coach. Mainly because of the change at Weybridge and atm we dont know anybody else with a daughter who goes from Esher who is starting in September. But I can see in time the train would be the more flexible option.

Hahaha, Esherdad, I probably know you!! Were your girls at a prep in Claygate? We have been really happy with SWPS and also chose it over other schools that were closer/more convenient. But as it turns out, SPWS ended up being really easy with the coach. Our daughter would like to catch the train and I would have no reservations about it from a safety point of view, but as the coach stop is more convenient than getting to the train for us, we are sticking with the coach. The pick up for the Esher coach is the petrol station on the A3/Manor Road intersection. We were also a bit freaked out last year upon seeing the first come basis but it has been fine. No issues with anyone not having a space. Hopefully it will remain so.

Actually, seeing you have said that you don't know anyone else going from Esher to SWPS, you probably are not at a prep in Claygate. But good news for you, there are a few girls starting year 7 who live around Esher from my understanding.

You certainly don’t have to commit for your transportations arrangements for seven years.

SWPS is a fantastic school, and hopefully your DD will thrive there. We will be in our last year come September.

Hi sollyfromsurrey,
We weren't at prep in Claygate but it is a small world so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have friends in common. Thanks for the info again. We've met a couple of people from this side of Surrey at an open day though none from Esher atm but I'm sure that will change.

Hi CraftyGin
I'm pleased to hear its been successful for you and good luck with the A levels.