Indie School Advice in Guildford/ Haslemere/ Godalming area

[Ratherberightthanhappy]

Hi everybody,
I’m hoping to get some advice on independent secondary schools in this area. My daughter is in yr 5 in a SW London Prep school at the moment and we want to move to this area and need to find a great school for our daughter. We would look at single sex or mixed.
She is mildly dyslexic, so her CAT scores aren’t the highest but she is good at drama art and sport and loves animals and riding. She is very sociable and wants to flexi-board. We are not pushy parents, we want her to be inspired to try her best, and have a great childhood. We love the sound of Cranleigh but they are full boarding or day only. I’d be really grateful for any ideas or insight into the best schools in the area as at the moment I’m just looking at online reviews. Also is there much competition to get a place at country schools? Thank you so much in advance for your help it is greatly appreciated!!!

Have a look at Farnborough Hill. Takes a broad range of abilities and aims to enable each to make the best of her talents, whatever they may be. Lovely atmosphere and environment. Good transport links

Priorsfield Godalming might be a good fit. They do flexi boarding, and very supportive of mild SN. They also do lots of sport, tennis and riding, and hot on music and drama.

I've been to sports fixtures at Guildford High and absolutely LOVED the place. Nice girls too

You also asked about how difficult to get in locally. We are blessed with lots of girls schools locally, but they can be quite competitive especially the Guildford schools. Far borough Hill and Priorsfield generally easier to get in.

(which is of course a day school so ignore me... St Catherine's BramleY?)

Bit further out but Dunhurst, part of Bedales, might well fit the bill.

Guildford High is very academic and high pressured. Brilliant if your child thrives in that environment but could be stressful if they are constantly playing catch up. You could look at Tormead - the girls I know from there seem very happy and are confident, unneurotic girls.

One school I visited because DS was involved in an event there was Box Hill. It seemed lovely. Very laid back, staff and pupils on friendly terms and it seemed very warm and inclusive not cliquey.

I'd look at Priorsfield, the Royal in Haslemere, and St Catherine's. The latter is the most academic.

Neither GHS nor Tormead is any use if she wants to board.

Frensham Heights might tick a lot of boxes for you

Yes Frensham Hieghts is considered to be Bedales Light (I'm being flippant. I know pupils and parents who are very happy at both schools.)

Thanks so much everybody, we are looking at vaguely Chiddingfold / Lurgashall type area so maybe North of Guildford might be too far for a day school.

Is PF nice? It sounds like a warm and lovely environment online but I've never seen such odd looking the buildings!!

So tricky when we can't visit!!!

Also St Cats has a mean girls rep online. Is this fair? I guess if it's academic and a little pushy it's not right for us anyway

Ratherberightthanhappy

Yes, PF is nice.

And yes, the buildings are a bit "odd". To be fair though, most of the schools round here started in old converted manor house types buildings and have just expanded over the years. The main house is just that, a house made into a school. It is on a residential road, which links the A3 to Godalming and on the same road as Charterhouse. Seemingly quite rural, but actually very close to Guildford and Godalming, and all the road and rail links thereabouts.
As you are not local, and looking at Chiddingfold etc, just be aware the roads around Surrey are horrendous in the morning. All the main routes are jammed, and the rat runs are very busy. You can't get to PF via public transport, but if you are flexi-boarding not an issue.

Second what Baaaahhhh has said, look at Priorsfield if you want flexi-boarding but be wary re traffic. I have a number of friends whose daughters are very happy there, some dyslexic, some not, some keen on drama, others keen on sport.

Lord Wandsworth college - a bit further out but does a mix of flexi, weekly and full boarding. Very friendly school with a strong SEN support.

I think Cranleigh ticks all your boxes and I'd be tempted to live near the school and take the plunge there one way or another. I think they are quite relaxed re: boarding, children do really well there and fulfil their potential IMO.

Priorsfield is great. Quite extensive bus services in the local area. I know friends daughters who attend from Liphook/ Haslemere/ Chiddingfold areas. All thriving.
I teach in a prep which feeds PF and girls are very well supported throughout transition into yr7 and beyond. Excellent pastoral care. My friends DD flexi boards (current yr7) and loves it!

Hi there,
I’m just wondering whether you made it down to Lurgashall as we moved from SW London to lickfold (right next to lurgashall) last year!

Further out - Highfield (to 13) and Seaford College (Prep, Senior & 6th Form) are worth a look.
I've had DN&Ns at both (& at Bedales) and they would fit the bill