Lingfield College and Dunottar - please discuss!

[SurreyK]

We are currently considering both Lingfield College and Dunottar as senior schools for DS. He is not hugely academic (of average academic ability at his prep school), but enjoys sport (more enthusiasm than talent!). He can suffer with confidence issues based on his ability, and needs a push to get work done. We really like both Lingfield and Dunottar but are struggling to choose between them, so would value any feedback from people who have children at either school. Thank you!

Which is easier to get to? Do you prefer town or country setting?

We're equidistant between the two, although Lingfield would be slightly easier as we wouldn't have to negotiate the Reigate traffic. No particular preference to town/country. It's more about which school is likely to be the right fit.

I have 2 children at Dunottar, and, as you can see from the username (changed for anonymity!) we are very happy with it.

The school has a very nice ethos. Children are expected to do their best, but its not all about creaming off the top students, and its not a hot house school. Despite this, I'm still expecting (hoping!) that my children will get solidly good results there.

My children regularly participate in sports, drama, music. They have both massively increased in confidence since they've been there. It's a small school, and it definitely has a gentler, inclusive approach. Attitude and effort are rewarded alongside pure achievement.

The teachers are approachable, and communication is good. Issues are dealt with quickly. Children are generally well behaved, and most of all, happy!

I don't really know too much about Lingfield, as it was too far away from us, so I can't really compare.

You hear good and not so good about both. I would try the school run at the appropriate times to see what it is like. Do not underestimate the amount of times you will be doing this in the evenings as well - pick up, home, back for parents evening, home, then parties at weekends - where will majority of year live? I don't know about Lingfield but I know from Dunottar there are kids from the other side of Dorking, and up towards Epsom - not always where you want to be collecting from at midnight! (Not that the areas are not where you want to be, but thinking of journey times 😉).

Hi all! Yummymummy238 here, I would definitely consider sending your children to the new and improved Lingfield College. The environment is very nurturing and there is so much for your littluns to do! Traffic is okay and there is a huge spacious car park that you can park your range rover it ;)

I placed my children in Lingfield College and it’s like putting your most precious plants in a dark cupboard, and depriving them of water.
I just watched them wilt over a period of time.
There were many red flags along the way. Their confidence deteriorated. They refused to go to school. They developed anxiety issues.
The teaching standard at this school are very poor.

However, only one good thing came out of Lingfield College treating my children so badly, I found an amazing school in Pease Pottage.
My children are now thriving.
Moving my children out of Lingfield College is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
We were treated with contempt from the Head department.