Whats the deal at Rydes Hill Guildford?

[SandraNotSharon]

Been looking for a nursery place at Rydes Hill for DD, as it seems a good option, given it flows into a prep, then promises to feed into a decent senior school.

Quite friendly with a number of parents and also know a few TPA ('Friends of Rydes Hill') members at the school who have recommended it for nursery - and it does seem to have a good rep for that. But a few of them did warn me that the mood music is that the school now really only focuses on the younger age groups, specifically nursery, as its the only place that seems to get any money spent on it?

I had a tour and loved the nursery, but the prep did look dilapidated, happy to look past the cracks if its good though. Do most parents just do the nursery bit and go, or do they stay?

Ps. I've posted in Secondary as I'm keen for DC to join the nursery (which doesn't worry me) but the prep bit and it's ability to feed into decent secondary does.

I literally posted on another thread about this, spooky/curious! 👻

Fair question - nursery has an excellent reputation locally, if you're looking for that, it's a great bet and if I needed a nursery again, I would pick it.

The Prep School bit is totally dying off though, check the charity commission website for their accounts, where you can see numbers and cash reserves dwindling. They've made a loss for many years and have nothing to spend on the site.

If I was a betting lady I would put money on them hoping the nursery will revitalise the Prep bit as kids feed through. I sincerley hope it does for them, as we don't need another school to vanish.

Long and short, great school for nursery, hopefully for Prep too, but have a back up plan for reception when that time comes, just in case.

Hi, current rydes hill parent, second daughter just finishing year 6. You're right that there has been a big investment in the nursery and it seems to be fabulous and very full, but I don't think the rest of the school has suffered. Yes it's an older building but the school has continued to invest in the prep and pre prep departments including a recent new IT hub. The nursery is a lot bigger than the school, given it is a 1 form entry, so there will be parents who only use the nursery and don't progress to the school, but a good number of children stay on into the school or join at reception. In terms of progression to senior school, my girls were very well prepared by the school - both received offers to both schools they applied to and both also got scholarships, without any external tutoring. This is our 9th year at the school and I've been very happy with it - great academics, strong drama, sport etc, especially given the small size of the school, and both my girls have enjoyed their time there.

@FabulousFlamingos thanks for the insight, yours is a slightly more 'straight to the point' version of the vibes I've been getting. Nursery amazing, but the rest, unsure. I just read the other thread, and I think I agree that it did feel like a Nursery with an afterthought Prep school attached - hence my query here. I'm really torn between Rydes Hill and just picking a much larger through school as a Reception target, and filling the gap with a nursery closer to home.

@Brookwood thanks for the reply too, in contrast it's super to hear all those good things about how the students do at the school and the investment they are making into the senior school. To be honest I don't recall the IT Hub, but we did see some IT facilities, which looked pretty standard (as in what most schools have) to be honest, which, none the less is still good to hear.

I guess you chose the school a long time ago, probably pre the massive nursery and during a time when the prep was much bigger? For someone like me, looking at the numbers now, I would guess it looks the reverse of that time. Hence my slight apprehension.

Great to hear about the time spent prepping students for senior schools, what kind of schools are they going to if you don't mind me asking?

Senior Schools Results | Rydes Hill Preparatory School & Nursery

Yes, it was a long time ago when we were choosing a junior school! My girls got offers between them from GHS, Tormead and Priors Field and for my current year 6 daughter's class there were a lot of offers and scholarships across GHS, Tormead, St cats, Priors Field and Farnborough Hill that I know of. We also found the senior school process very unpressured, which I think might come down to the way the school prepares the girls. No additional work needed apart from a bit of online test practice on Atom, which the school provides anyway, and no stress or nerves when it came to sitting the exams.

Not uncommon for kids in the prep year groups to leave for other schools, in search of skipping the 11+ altogether or following older siblings into their through schools. Both of these reasons for leaving make perfect sense.

It's not just a reflection on rydes hill, but the end of the standalone prep school, as a concept, is only a few years away, especially if labour put VAT on school fees.

Schools finances are not good, they havent come close to breaking even in years and the loan they currently have looks like it was taken out for the nursery facilities.

Wouldn't be surprised if it closes and turns into just a (to be fair, excellent) nursery at some point, flogging off the land for houses.

Thanks @MigAndMog . The senior school preperation stuff sounds great, but can anyone explain why the number of scholarships awarded is slowly going down in number and has done this for the last 3 years? Is it just the smaller class sizes, they seem to be about the same?

Is it single form the whole way through the prep school, how do parents find this? With this is mind, how do they do with sports, etc. can they field sports teams? I see a focus on netball on their socials, so just wondering, do they do athletics, swimming, cricket, football, ,tennis, hockey?

@AndreaKnowsBest , are you at the school or have left?

Thanks everyone for continued help.

@SandraNotSharon , not at the school any more, my youngest DD2 was, but we left a few years back now. We moved her for more opportunities across the board, plus the tactical decision to skip the 11+. She's now in year 7.

Her elder sister DD1 was also at the new school all the way through, and has just left, we were very happy so it was a no-brainer for DD2.

DD2 also had a friend who switched from Rydes, which lubricated the move, plus we wanted her to make new friends before moving into year 7 with them, which has worked well.

These were simply our choices though, and not necessarily the right ones for everyone. You'll need to assess your own goings-on, as a Rydes Hill type environment can be great for some girls. We were on the whole pretty happy there, but it did feel a little in decline, as I said before, perhaps the nursery success can help.

Thanks @AndreaKnowsBest , that's very interesting and your approach is something we've had at the back of our mind for later down the line too.

I've spoken with a parent last night and I think it wasn't for the nursery aspect, which we need, we definitely wouldn't consider it as a standalone prep, as there's mot much point with GHS, Tormead and StCatherines in the area. All of which are leagues ahead.

So perhaps nursery then switch might be a solution option too. I guess many do that.

If any parents can tell me more about how they find the sport side and extracurricular offering from reception onwards, that would be great.

I used to work for Farnborough Hill, it's no secret that Rydes Hill approached FH a few times to see about a collaboration / take over. Which would make sense given it is a Catholic school and Farnborough Hill don't have a Prep - but the distance simply doesn't work for RH parents who predominately live in the Guildford area.

Look at Halstead (arguably a much more successful girls Prep) and their merger with St.Andrews - done to survive

Be wary of any small Prep Schools right now.

In RH's case, you can see from the graph on the CC website that they spend more than they earn every year. They will have to top up from reserves, which wont last forever.

This is why the site is a little 'tatty' as there's no money free for Capital Expenditure (facilities for the kids).

If you need a through Prep school, my advise would be to ask them about their future plans - you never know, some Chinese consortium might be about to buy them out and save the day. Simply - ask the question.

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/299411/financial-history

I've heard it's a nice little school, with the emphasis on 'little', but that might suit your DD @SandraNotSharon ?

They do field some teams, as we play them at Netball, and I have seen them at swimming galas before. I think they also do have a gymnastics team too. To be fair, they're always pretty decent at netball, I think that's their main sport as the school doesn't have any playing fields, just a couple of netball courts. You would've seen this?

From visiting the site (on a very limited number of occasions, mind), it does look tired, especially when compared to other Junior Schools or Preps. That's just a function of not having as much money to spend when you're smaller. You can embrace that 'smallness' for all its benefits though (smaller classes, better teacher ratios, everyone knows everyone, etc.) Or decide its a weakness and look elsewhere. For example, with a 'through school' the facilities are usually much bigger and better, as you can use the secondary facilities.

From reading your post though, it looks like you're actually in need of a nursery regardless? If that's the case, I'm sure you can't go wrong with Rydes Hill (has a good rep!) for that and then decide to stay or go for Recepton? You never know, you might fall in love, or indeed it might get bought by the Chinese lol 😂

A lot can happen in two years!

Hi there, keen to know what you decided? I wanted to give my view as a parent of two girls in the prep school who have been there since nursery.

Yes it is small but that is what makes it so special, the girls are taught so wonderfully by highly experienced teachers. No issues with behaviour whatsoever. I was one of the mums who tagged along on a school trip last year (my daughter is just young enough not to be completely embarrassed by me!!), and seeing the whole class in that light was nothing short of impressive. All of the children asked questions and answered them, they were so polite to everyone around them, engaged and just a lovely bunch of children to be with. Saying that I was absolutely exhausted after a day out and about - I don’t know how the teachers do it!!

I have considered other primary schools along the way with secondary schools and bigger facilities - but it’s always ended up back with RH having the edge. Plus those facilities come at a cost… RH is the most affordable independent out there which allows a big mix of families to attend. A grounded, lovely environment for little girls to thrive. They all get into the schools they want to from GHS, Tormead, St Cats, F Hill, and an independent prep school allows them to go for the secondary school that is right for them. You have more of a sense of your kids strengths as they grow up - we will be going for an art scholarship! All the best with your decisions, I know it can feel really tough to ‘get it right’ x

I have two girls in Rydes Hill and they are doing well. It is a small school and this is definitely an advantage on the other larger private schools around. It has lovely grounds, good teaching and a community feel.

Pre prep has been great for the girls and prep also. They do netball, athletics, cross country, , hockey and forest school for outdoor activities . Golf was added as a club this year. They also swim at Surrey sports park as well. They have very good music teachers and encourage very well