Reigate Secondary School (state)

[Surreymum84]

Thinking about moving into the area and I was keen to hear experiences of Reigate secondary state school. We have one academic child and one less academic child but hoping to find a school which will be ok for them both. I’ve heard good things about st Bedes but we are not religious so not an option for us. Thank you!!

Any thoughts very welcome. Do the children generally go onto Reigate college? Thanks

Reigate School is popular. It’s 11-16 and kids are then guaranteed a place for 6th Form at Reigate College. Carringron (formerly called The Warwick) in Redhill is also 11-16 and they are guaranteed places in 6th Form. It’s not so sought after but lots go there as it’s their nearest school and where they are allocated.

Yes, St Bedes is highly sought after but you really do need 3 years of attending Church fortnightly to get the reference that’s needed to guarantee a place.

Reigate College is well thought of and kids go from all 3 schools mentioned above (although St Bedes has 6th form so lots stay there) as well as state schools from much further afield and also some from independent schools too. Sat Bedes also takes in for 6th form with no religious requirement so a school 6th form is an option if you prefer it.

Thanks for this @WombatChocolate - really useful info. It’s so hard to gauge what a school is like from outside the area, but great to hear it’s popular locally.

How old are dc?You may get lucky with an in year application at St Bedes if you live close by. The other options include Royal Alexandra and Albert which has mixed reviews for state boarding but is a less selective day option for those from prep schools who live close enough, Reigate school largely feeds into Reigate College and East Surrey College at 16+ .

Thanks @LIZS - DC are primary school age so we will be looking at year 7 admissions. My DC currently appear quite different academically and I want to make sure the school would be able to deal with both well.

Mine go to reigate school. They like it, haven't experienced bullying etc., but the catchment is now really very small. Anything above Lesbourne road to the north probably wouldn't gain entry.
Feeder school into reigate college as stated by pp, based on getting a certain amount of grade 5 GCSE's.
St bedes is v academic but we've been privy to children experiencing a lot of fights and bullying, so it's good you don't want to apply there. Other parents may have a different experience though.
Of course there's also RAA- not sure what it's rep is like though.

At secondary, they get themselves to/from school so they don't have to go to the same school. Especially in a town like Reigate where public transport is decent. Choose the best for each child as an individual.

Sorry I realise this is months later, but no child is guaranteed a place at Reigate college or any college. Reigate college is very academic and has high grades requirements no matter which secondary school a child attended. Children aren't even guaranteed a place at East surrey college as offers are usually conditional. My son attended Carrington and is now at East Surrey. He was given a conditional offer and now has to retake English. Reigate school is a very good school and has better results.