RGS Surrey

[dddais]

Hi all, does anyone have experience of this school? It was recently taken over by the RGS group and having spoken to them I was quite impressed. I am looking to enrol my daughter for Year 8 on a boarding basis. She completed primary school overseas. I am looking for a small, nurturing environment / individual attention, that tries to get the best out of the pupils. Any feedback anyone can share (in particular in relation to boarding environment) would be really appreciated.

Do you mean RGS Surrey Hills? (Ex Box Hill)

Hi yes sorry i do - surrey hill

Yeah if it's RGS Surrey Hills (old Box Hill, near Dorking) they do sell themselves as quite small and knowing everyone, which sounds close to what you're after. Boarding is full/weekly/flexi and they've had international kids for ages, so Year 8 from overseas isn't a weird ask. On the visit I'd ask how they settle mid-entry boarders and what evenings/weekends actually look like for Y8 girls — marketing and the house feel can be different things.

Ask what the ratio is between day and boarding numbers. Local intel suggests that RGS offers SH to those who perform less well on their entrance test to maintain its exam stats.

Thanks. What's SH? I got the impression Surrey Hills was not too focused on results; they only publish limited results

Surrey Hills. Definitely not as results focussed as Reigate Grammar itself.

We looked at the school, as we were at one of their prep schools. We were massively unimpressed with the calibre of teachers and only a couple of the year went there. Much better options out there for nurturing schools. Word is massive amounts of churn while they weed out the poor performers.

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Oh that is disappointing to here. I have not visited but based on a telephone call I had I was quite impressed and it ticked a few boxes - not too far from a family member, the fees seemed ok and they seemed to emphasise nurturing. I have a spot at another school (in Ipswich) but am concerned the environment could be a little bit too competitive for my daughter who isnt really the academic type and gets anxious easily by deadlines. Would you mind sharing which schools you feel are more nurturing? Do they have boarding facilities?

I would consider full boarding schools if you are living overseas otherwise you might find your dd is alone at the weekends. Have you considered using an educational consultant? Otherwise when you speak to admissions team ask detailed question about the number of girls who board and how many stay in at the weekends.