Surrey reviews on secondary schools.

[Crackermum]

We are moving to Surrey, please can mums give honest advice on the following secondary schools, would be great to get some personal recommendations :
Rodborough
Fulbrook
Woking High
Cobham Free
He would be going into Year 8.

[Title edited by MNHQ at poster's request]

You might want MNHQ to add Surrey to your title @Crackermum. You will probably get a few more replies

Cobham Free is very difficult to get a place at, you need to speak to them about the waiting list for your chosen year group.

@hockeygrass thanks for the advice🤗, currently on the waiting list.

Which catchment area are you in? Fulbrook and Woking High both have tight catchments so where you live will most likely be a very big deciding factor.

Both are long established schools and have their plus and minuses. Neither are amazing, but secondary schools round Woking aren't. They are both ok and will have to do for the thousands of kids who go there. Some kids do very well.

I am surprised that Woking secondary schools aren't better, but that's just how it is. It's a shame.

Bishop David brown is smaller than Fulbrook and is fairly similar in results.

If you are catholic you might get into St John the Baptist (SJB) but you'd have to meet all of the very strict criteria and add yourself to the waitlist.

Thanks you so much for the feedback. We are narrowing down our search ito of area, but are pretty flexible ito of areas - School being the most important, than to find a home within that catchment area.
Unfortunately SJB wont be an option as we are not practising Catholics, but I have heard really good things about the school.
Thanks again, such a daunting task, especially with such a big move.

There's a few non-Catholics at SJB - www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/arrangements-and-outcomes/previous-years - this is how places were allocated last year.

I would give Surrey Admissions a ring and find out where the places are if you are flexible in where you go. The schools you’ve listed are likely to be full and it will only be the waiting list that will be held according to the admission criteria. You’ll be allocated a place at the nearest school with a place whilst you wait or appeal and that comes with no guarantees. Some schools have very little movement and you’d be stuck perhaps with a less than ideal school unless you’re prepared to go private or home educate. There may be some good schools you’ve not considered with places.

Thank you, very helpful 🙂

Any other suggestions ito of possible schools?

Loads of other good Surrey secondaries. I may be a bit out of date as DC are older now, but Howard of Effingham, George Abbott, Glynn, Esher High, Hinchley Wood all have or recently had good reputations.

Tomlinscote in Frimley
Collingwood College in Camberley

Thank you so much for the additional schools, will definitely look into the others 🤗.
Really appreciate all the comments.

I only know one person who went to cobham free. soon after it started up, and they were very pleased.

Thank you, each bit of info on different schools helps🙂

Oh yes, and Cobham Free. I know a few of the teaching and admin staff there and they are so dedicated.

Thank you for your feedback, really great to hear such positive feedback on the staff, this definitely appeals to me.