Secondary schools in Weybridge/Esher

[Divonne]

Expats moving to Weybridge/Esher area in the summer to provide educational stability for DS2. Looking for a balanced school not highly academic. Prefer co-ed. Applied to Claremont Fan School (CFS) & St George’s College (SGC) for next year (Y9 & Y10). SGC seems difficult to get in to!
We have to be in the country to apply for the State schools. Notsure which ones are best: Heathside, Esher High, Cobham Free School?
ALSO looking for specific ONLINE TUTORING who could help with the school entrance assessments wrt English & Maths? Appreciate any advice and tutor contacts. Many thanks :)

You probably need another private school in the mix, try Ewell Castle (although not easy to get to). Also you would have far more choice if you include single sex, try Halliford.
Pupils travel absolutely miles for schools, you can see from the school bus routes.
The state option is dependent on space so Cobham Free will be dependent on your address and someone leaving to create a space. I would have thought the other 2 would be ok but you need to visit them. Esher High doesn't have a sixth form but the pupils automatically get a place at near by Esher College for A levels so you need to bear that in mind. Hinchley Wood school is a good option too but hard to get a place at.
Best of luck, there are so many private options eps if you live near Esher station so can consider schools on the train line too - Guildford and Wimbledon.

Thank you kindly for your thoughts. We all visited Claremont F S and my DH will be attending the Open Day at St George’s on Saturday. I will take a look at the other schools you mentioned eg Halliford. I know that the State schools are really full in the area and even living v close by doesn’t guarantee a space! :(

What about Reeds?
seems balanced, and has mixed 6th form

Epsom is mixed - and good school routes.

my DS2 sat the 11plus for both schools

Will look in to those options. Thanks

Have you considered the American school (ACS). If you are looking at Reeds (only boys until the 6th form) you should look at St John’s Leatherhead (completely mixed)

A year 9 place at St John's is so tricky to gain, it's really oversubscribed. At Epsom you have more chance of Year 9 if you will consider boarding. Im sure the OP knows most of the year 9 places at these schools were handed out 2 years ago when the pupils were in year 6.

St. George's College, once known for its selectiveness, has now become easily accessible but also more commercialised, featuring numerous catchy slogans, including the ubiquitous "perfectly balanced" phrase during open mornings. The school's Catholic heritage has waned, class sizes have grown, and tuition fees have become higher compared to some other academically-focused schools in the area.
In contrast, Claremont F.S., where my niece attends, maintains its quirky, nurturing atmosphere. With a new headteacher who has elevated academic standards, the school is gaining popularity, albeit making it somewhat less straightforward to secure a place than before.
St. John's, on the other hand, stands out as a highly selective institution, increasingly emphasising academic achievement. While it offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and sports, its core focus lies in academic excellence, and it maintains reasonable class sizes for a private school.

Thanks for your informative feedback Yummumsun!😊

Fairly recent experience of Heathside - it's surfing on its long-established good reputation a bit, but my son was there up to GCSE and I never had any cause for complaint (and I was fairly demanding of my sons' schools). Some of the teaching seemed excellent and bullying/disciplinary problems were rare. I've heard its A level results weren't great this year, but that's gossip rather than data.

Hi there @Divonne ,

I provide online tuition for students from those sitting their 11 plus exams to students their gcse exams. So please feel free to message me privately to explore your child’s needs if you’re still looking x😊

Hi, Thanks for your message however, I have already found a tutor.