Surrey has a wealth of top independent prep and senior schools and it can be overwhelming to know who to find the best fit for your child. Our pick of the best independent schools is a great place to start. The schools are eager to be able to welcome visits by parents soon again, and in the meantime, parents can join many open days online.
Feltonfleet Preparatory School – Co-ed 3-13
Feltonfleet is a leading day and flexi-boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-13, set in 25 acres of landscaped grounds with exceptional facilities and within easy access of South-West London and the Southern Home Counties.
What makes Feltonfleet the first-choice school for so many parents is the integrity and practice of their core belief that individuals really matter. This conviction is underpinned by their values-driven ethos and strong sense of community.
Feltonfleet’s excellent teaching and first-class facilities provide a vibrant and exciting experience that enables their pupils to reach the end of Year 8 – Destination 13 – as happy, independent, confident, resilient, empathetic, tolerant and emotionally intelligent young people, equipped to make a real difference at their senior schools and in their subsequent lives.
Once again rated ‘excellent’ by the ISI in September 2018, and shortlisted for both the ‘Wellbeing initiative of the year’ and the ‘Sports award’ in the prestigious TES Independent School Awards 2020, Feltonfleet provides an outstanding holistic education, both on the school campus and through their sector-leading Remote Teaching and Learning Programme.
You Tube Link 1 https://youtu.be/XV7XN5uoFt0
You Tube Link 2 https://youtu.be/1NPUNybW74c
You Tube Link 3 https://youtu.be/xnHtGb5CW7s
Parkside School
Parkside School is a wonderful environment where children’s curiosity is awakened. Their journey is one of discovery; where talents and passions are nurtured and developed, and pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning.
At Parkside, pupils develop the courage to rise to each challenge, persevere when the going gets tough and face their fears with confidence. The positive message of ‘make it happen’ underpins the whole approach to the learning journey and is at the forefront of all the pupils’ and staff’s minds. They are supported to take risks and persist with any obstacles they may encounter on their journey. The belief is that taking risks ensures complete development, resulting in a sense of pride and determination coupled with an unrivalled work ethic; invaluable in gaining success for their future.
Inspired teaching, passionate and dedicated staff, together with excellent facilities, set in 45 acres, ensure delivery of a dynamic and innovative curriculum. Knowing the pupils individually is what makes time at Parkside more than just an education. Academic excellence, outstanding sporting achievements, dynamic technological enterprise and exciting performing arts are all underpinned by exceptional pastoral care, which assists them in achieving the best academic results.
“The nearest thing to Swallows and Amazons within throwing distance of the M25, Parkside has a generosity of spirit and an enjoyment of all that can be done which is uplifting.”
Good Schools Guide Review 2021
Parkside was selected as one of five finalists in the UK as Best Independent Boys’ School in 2020. This has been largely accredited, not only to the values, aims and ethos mentioned, but also to its colossal efforts in providing a continued outstanding education during the Covid 19 crisis.
“I have not heard of one other school that has come close to replicating the engagement and full day experience that Parkside has achieved for remote learning” – Mr W – April 2020
During both lockdowns, live lessons, including Forest School, Food Tech, D&T and Sport were delivered via Zoom, and reflected a full days’ schooling to allow parents to continue working from home. A dedicated YouTube channel was set up and added humour to the learning at home day, with teachers illustrating cricket skills dressed as hot dogs together with outtakes from videos created. Weekly, personalised work packs were collected at the drive thru collection point, to provide non-screen based activities, such as the photography challenge, and ensured pupils spent time away from their desk. Added to this, most recently, Parkside boys have enjoyed a full virtual programme of extracurricular activities for lunchtimes and afterschool. Extra booster and scholarship groups are also available where appropriate.
Visit Parkside School
Reed’s School – HMC Independent School for boys 11-16 and girls 16-18
Reed’s School is a successful HMC independent day and boarding school, providing an education for around 770 pupils between 11 and 18, with girls in the Sixth Form.
The values-driven education that pupils experience at Reed’s equips them not only with the excellent academic qualifications and the interpersonal skills they will need for the future but ensures that when they leave they possess a strong moral compass and a desire to go into the world and improve it.
The School is set amongst 40 acres with a well-equipped campus providing an inspiring setting. Its boarding element brings the best advantages for day pupils, such as wrap-around care and outstanding pastoral support. A co-educational Sixth Form helps to establish a community which prepares all pupils for their transition to university and for life beyond Reed’s.
A recently-published Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out the School’s vision to equip pupils with three dimensions of a futureproof education: values, skills and knowledge. The School’s core values of Integrity, Compassion, Curiosity, Resilience, Responsibility and Independence produces well-rounded individuals who are confident, personable and possess a lifelong love of learning.
At the heart of the school is exceptional pastoral care – fundamental to shaping pupils’ happiness within an educational environment where they nurture and encourage, stretch without stressing and push without pressurising.
For more information please visit reeds.surrey.sch.uk or contact admissions@reeds.surrey.sch.uk 01932 869001
Rowan Preparatory School, Claygate – girls 2-11
Rowan Preparatory School in Claygate, is a vibrant, friendly and nurturing community where girls are encouraged to be themselves. A preschool and preparatory school for girls aged 2-11, with traditional values and a forward-thinking approach to education, offering a broad and adventurous curriculum full of exciting opportunities.
Rowan see the best in every girl, shape our learning for each individual and value the unique contribution they each make to school life. The school is competitive yet highly values teamwork; confident yet values friendship, respect and trust; and creative and curious about the world around them. Rowan offers opportunities that take the girls out of their comfort zone and they do this because they feel safe, supported and nurtured. It’s an environment that aims high because they want the best for thier girls.
Rowan’s reputation continues to grow from strength to strength. This is not just due to the impressive academic results and scholarships that the girls consistently achieve, and the high calibre of senior schools to which they progress, but also through their achievements in the arts, music and sport. Rowan is a school where girls excel but, above all, it is a school where girls are happy.
Spring Open Morning: Friday 12 March 2021 at 9.30am
Contact us on admissions@rowanprepschool.co.uk or visit www.rowanprepschool to find out more and to register to join.
Woodcote House School – boys 7-13
Woodcote is a family-run boarding and day school set in 30 acres of beautiful grounds in Windlesham, Surrey offering flexible boarding and two daily bus services from and to London. Small class sizes and excellent pastoral care ensure each boy receives individual attention and derives maximum benefit from the diverse curriculum of academic subjects, sports, music, drama, art and extensive extra-curricular activities. Sport is timetabled every day, which challenges the boys both mentally and physically. All ‘homework’ is done at school so the evenings are free for activities, sports and letting off steam with their friends.
Woodcote is a school where boys really can still be boys and provides a happy, secure environment where they can live, learn and flourish as individuals. The boys and staff eat together, fostering good manners and the art of conversation whilst also learning to live with different people, a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives. With a 100% success rate to chosen senior schools, boys leave Woodcote confident and respectful with a good sense of humour and balanced perspective on life.
Personal tours and 1:1 video calls are available with the Headmaster, David Paterson. Please register via admissions@woodcotehouseschool.co.uk or call 01276 472115.
You may also enjoy reading https://darlingmagazine.co.uk/kids-2/how-are-schools-managing-online-learning/
