Surrey Secondary Schools - Help!

[mianjax]

Hello everyone, I’m a newbie here and this is my first post, I’d be super grateful for any help! My husband and I, along with our one year old son are looking to move to Surrey - either around Godalming/Guildford or more Haslemere way. We plan for this to be our forever home, so we’re factoring both primary and secondary schools into the search. We have friends in another county who are moving because the state schools are so poorly rated, that if they don’t get into grammar, independent is basically their only option, which they don’t want. We’re of the same frame of mind. Nothing wrong with independent, we’re just not from wealthy backgrounds so it’s not in our DNA.

So essentially I’m asking, if students fail 11+ and/or don’t get into their chosen grammar, are parents happy to send them to state schools, or do they tend to opt for independent instead because state isn’t good enough?

@mianjax , there aren't any grammar schools in the places you mention. The Surrey grammar schools are based around Sutton which is in Greater London. There are many very good state secondary schools in Surrey especially around Woking and Guildford. Godalming has 1 of the best state 6th forms in the area - it has a large catchment.

Ah okay, I must have been getting my initial grammar search confused with independents around the area! Thanks for the advice!

I don't think there are that many grammar schools in England full stop. So most people who can't afford independent will send their dc to comps. I work in an amazing comp. It is in a pricey area though which just means people are priced out in another way tbh.

Are you from NI by any chance? Only asking as i know grammars were veery much the default there until the mid 00s or so

There is no grammar in Surrey. Guildfords Royal Grammer is a private school. Expensive too from memory.

Move to Kent. They do Grammer still. If you move to Medway you get too shots at the 11+ but I'm not sure that would temp me back to Medway ....

Sutton and Kingston have grammar schools which can be accessed from some parts of Surrey. Sutton also has amazing state secondary schools so that would be a great area to be long term.

@LovelyRita1 no, Lincolnshire - one of the counties with quite a few grammars. But we need to be closer to London for work.

Most schools are comprehensive so most kids go to them!

If you want excellent state schools have a look at Winchester, Alresford and Alton in Hampshire.

Honestly so much can (and likely will) change in schools between now and 10 years hence I wouldn’t get over invested in thinking about senior schools. You have literally no idea where your child’s skills and talents lay, or whether they might have any special needs. These will be factors you will take into account nearer the time in assessing suitable schools.

Find a lovely house that suits your needs now (transport, childcare) and enjoy it! Everything else really will slot into place in the fullness of time

No 11 plus round here thankfully! Just excellent comprehensives and no angst!
A lot depends on how often you need go to London and how much further out you’re prepared to be.
If you’re happy to go as far as Haslemere, I’d go a bit further to East Hants - you are spoilt for choice for amazing comprehensives and primary schools - Petersfield, Liphook, Alton, all have excellent schools and traditionally have been. Alresford isn’t on a train line so you’d have drive a bit further to get to a station. (Alton is on different line and the end of the line but you’re guaranteed a seat there and generally most of the way back!) Farnham is also worth a look - same line as Alton but more expensive!
Winchester also has excellent schools but expensive and you’d probably want to be within walking distance of the station as traffic in Winchester is dire.
Guildford - the secondaries are a bit patchy. Some amazing ones - Guildford County and George Abbot, but the others bounce around a bit.
Fleet is somewhere else to consider, direct train line to London and excellent schools.

I’d come down for a holiday and spend some time getting to know the area before committing. Plenty of things to do and to entertain a toddler as well.

@Ionacat that’s really helpful thank you! We’ve spent a few weekends in the area exploring so have a good feel of the area, but will definitely check out the areas you mentioned too. Thank you!

op grammar schools in Lincs are state schools as well, and yes, when children fail the exam at age 11, most parents have no choice but to send them to the secondary modern.

Personally I am very glad my DC were brought up away from all that (I am from south Lincs so I know a bit about it) and in a comprehensive system. The majority of children in England go to comprehensive state schools, many of which are good. I don't know Surrey myself but I gather from other posters that a lot of schools there are good. You may find you pay a premium to be in catchment of a desirable school tho.