PREP SCHOOLS

Notre Dame Prep School and Nursery, Cobham
The junior part of this all-through girls’ school is a warm and vibrant environment where holistic education goes hand in hand with academic rigour. Pastoral care is outstanding, and happiness abounds.
Open event: Explore and Play Open Day on Sat 22 March. Book here

Chinthurst School, Tadworth
Chinthurst is an independent co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 2-11 years in Tadworth. It is one of two junior schools of the award-winning senior school Reigate Grammar. Chinthurst students benefit from the offer of a place at RGS without having to sit the entrance exam, which for many parents and children creates a much smoother pathway to secondary education.
Open event: There’s a working open morning on Wed 12 March and an Early Years fun morning on Fri 28 March. Book here

Reigate St Mary’s, Reigate
One of only a handful of choral schools in the country, Reigate St Mary’s is a lovely independent day school and nursery set on 15 acres of parkland in the heart of Reigate. It’s a co-ed and non-selective school, taking pupils from age 2-11. As a little sister to one of the country’s leading independent senior schools, Reigate Grammar School – where more than three-quarters of RSM students go on to – the school’s academic standards are high. And yet there’s a warm-hearted feel to the school, and an strong sense that community and relationships are at the heart of it.
Open event: There’s a working open morning on Thurs 13 March and an Early Years open house will be held on Sat 10 May. Book here

Rowan Prep, Claygate
Rowan Prep is an independent day school for girls aged 2-11 in the lovely village of Claygate, near Esher. The school is set over two sites – about half a mile apart – both in a quiet residential area of the village: Rowan Brae is the pre-prep for girls aged 2 to 11 (pre-school to Year 2) and Rowan Hill is the Prep school for girls aged 7-11 (years 3-6).
Open events: There’s a Rowan Brae open house on Fri 7 March a Rowan Hill open house on Fri 21 March. Book here

Aldro School, Shackleford
One of the most highly regarded prep and boarding schools in the south-east with pupils regularly moving to the likes of Eton, Harrow and Charterhouse. It’s set on an idyllic 30-acre site, and there’s strong outdoorsy focus. This, alongside the high academic standards, make it a highly desirable choice for parents looking who want a great all-rounder offering for their boys and girls aged 7 to 13.
Open event: Sat 1 March. Book here

Cranleigh Prep, Cranleigh
Cranleigh Prep School is a day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 7 to 13 years (Yr 3 to Yr 8). It sits on a 40-acre site with a dazzling array of facilities and also makes use of the wider 250 acre site that is Cranleigh School across the road. The school is gaining a strong reputation for its excellent all-rounder offering – academics are impressive, music and art are strong and there’s a big focus on sport.
Open event: There’s a prep school open morning (years 3-8) on Fri 28 Feb. Book here

School boater hat and blazer hanging on a coat peg.

Rydes Hill Prep and Nursery, Guildford
Rydes Hill is a Catholic prep school and nursery in the Guildford suburbs. It’s a small school tucked away in a small-but-perfectly-formed site, but there’s everything you could want in a school. The school takes girls from age 3 to 11 and boys from age 3 to 7 – it’s one-form entry, and class sizes are small. It’s non-selective, and there’s a huge emphasis on preparation – whether that be children leaving after nursery (although most stay on), boys leaving at the end of Year 2 or girls leaving at age 11. And the results speak volumes – the boys and girls go onto a wide choice of excellent schools.
Open event: Book a 1:1 tour with the head mistress to see the school. Book here

Cumnor House School for Boys, South Croydon
This independent prep school in South Croydon, for boys aged 2-13, has a reputation for academic excellence. For a relatively small school, it performs very well on the sporting stage, competing on a local, regional and national level. Pastoral care has moved up the agenda here, too.
Open event: Fri 25 April for Cumnor Boys’ and for Cumnor Nurseris in Purley and South Croydon. Book here

Cumnor House School for Girls, Purley
A small independent school for girls tucked away in the exclusive and gated Webb Estate in Purley – it’s friendly and inclusive with a super strong community feel, and the academics are strong, too. It’s a small school and there’s a strong sense of community and family, plus an empowering ‘will do’ ethos
Open events: Thurs 24 April for Cumnor Girls’ and Fri 25 April for the Purley and South Croydon Nurseries. Book here

Aberdour School, Tadwort h
Aberdour School is an independent day school in for boys and girls from age 2 to 11. Entry is non-selective, and an innovative approach to learning which includes a unique and bespoke curriculum produces excellent results.
Open events: Fri 14 March. Book here

Barfield Prep School, Runfold
Barfield School is a co–educational day school for children aged 2 to 11 in Runfold near Farnham, Surrey. It’s caring, friendly and academically strong, and has amazing outdoor adventure facilities which children get to participate in fully.
Open event: Fri 7 March. Book here

Barrow Hills School, Witley
Barrow Hills School is a co-ed day school set within a gorgeous Edwardian manor house on 33 acres in Witley, near Godalming. It’s a traditional prep school, going through to age 13, with children moving on to schools like King Edward’s Witley, Cranleigh School, Charterhouse, Royal Grammar School in Guildford, Prior’s Field, St George’s in Weybridge, St John’s in Leatherhead, Eton, Whitgift School and Portsmouth Grammar.
Open event: Fri 7 March. Book here

Caterham Prep School, Caterham
Caterham Prep School is the younger sibling of the Caterham School – the academically and pastorally strong senior school tucked away on 200 sprawling acres in the Harestone Valley, Caterham. It’s a co-ed day school taking children from age 3 until 11, when most progress to the senior school.
Open events: There’s a Magical Music and Movement visitor morning on Sat 15 March. Book here

Parkside Sc h ool, Cobham
A small boys’ prep with a community vibe that really stands out. It punches above its weight academically and on the sports pitch, and has been making waves in music and drama too.
Open events: Contact the school to arrange a tour. Book here

Bishopsgate School, Englefield Green
Bishopsgate School is a traditional co-ed prep school for children aged 3-13, with a modern curriculum and a good track record of getting pupils into first-choice senior schools. It’s situated next to Windsor Great Park in Englefield Green.
Open events: The annual open day is usually held in the autumn term. In the meantime you can book personal tours of the school. Book here

Danes Hill School, Oxshott
A non-selective prep school for children aged 3-13 prep, Danes Hill is co-ed school with a great all-rounder offering, excellent pastoral care and incredible facilities.
Open events: Sat 10 May. Book here

Micklefield School, Reigate
Micklefield Prep is a small, inclusive school with a strong family vibe. It is a great option for those who believe strong values are as important as academic results.
Open events: Sat 8 March and Fri 16 May. Book here

Hazelwood School Prep School and Nursery, Oxted
A progressive and forward-thinking prep school and nursery with a focus on preparing each child for life – not simply the next step in their education – set across two idyllic sites in Oxted.
Open events: Sat 15 March. Book here

Longacre School, Shamley Green
This small co-ed prep school in the rolling hills of Surrey is family-oriented with a deserved reputation for its all-rounder offering. Children can start here in the nursery as young as two, up to age 11.
Open events: Book a personal tour. Book here

Staines Prep School, Staines-upon-Thames
This small, non-selective prep school is a happy place where children do exceptionally well academically, going on to selective senior schools or grammars. A trained therapy dog called Stanley is hugely popular.
Open events: Sat 8 March. Book here

RGS Prep, Guildford
Well known for its academic achievements, excellent music programme, and links to RGS Guildford (obvs!), this prep school for boys in Guildford is also the choir school for Guildford Cathedral.
Open events: Wed 12 March. B ook here

Milbourne Lodge School, Esher
A small school that packs a hefty punch, Milbourne Lodge School has a long-standing reputation for excellent academics sending pupils off to some of the most prestigious senior schools in the country.
Open events: Fri 7 March. Book here

Tormead Prep School, Guildford
A vibrant and inspiring day school for girls with a track record for excellent pastoral care and a can-do ethos that’s all about inspiring future women leaders. Big sister school, Tormead School is across the road, and most girls continue into year 7.
Open events: Fri 14 March. Book here

Glenesk Pre-prep and Nursery School, East Horsley
A pint-sized village nursery and pre-prep which specialises in teaching children aged 2 to 7. There’s a strong sense of community, and children do well academically. Lessons are tailored to suit children specifically aged two to seven years. It’s a happy, nurturing school with a love of outdoor learning.
Open events: Book a private tour. Book here

Feltonfleet Prep School, Cobham
A forward-thinking school, with a well-established reputation for strong pastoral care and an impressive all-rounder offering. It sits on a beautiful 25 acre site just outside Cobham, not far from the A3 – which puts it in a handy location for for those up and down the A3 corridor.
Open event: Fri 25 April. Book here

Weston Green School, Thames Ditton
A prep school for boys and girls with a nurturing family-focused vibe and excellent academic results. Set on a suburban site just off the A309, it’s a relatively small school which makes maximum use of the space it has.
Open event: Small-group tours are available every second Friday, or you can book an individual tour. Book here

ALL-THROUGH SCHOOLS

students in school uniform sitting on wall

Kingswood House, Epsom
A progressive co-ed school in Epsom for ages 7-16 that’s proudly non-selective and wholly inclusive. A forward-thinking academic vision and super-strong pastorals are key to its success.
Open events: Fri 7 March. Book here

St Edmund’s School, Hindhead
This day school for children aged 2-16, set in gorgeous grounds, offers an all-round education while fostering individuality and uniqueness in each child. It’s down-to-earth, with a close-knit community vibe.
Open events: There’s a whole school open event on Sat 17 May. Book here

Hoe Bridge School, Woking
This all-rounder sits on a large bucolic site just outside Woking, offering all-through co-ed education from Nursery to GCSE. It’s academically high-achieving without hothousing.
Open events: There’s a whole school open event on Thurs 1 May. Book here

Downsend School, Leatherhead
An innovative, forward-thinking and down-to-earth school in Leatherhead for children aged 6-16, Downsend is a superb all-rounder that’s big on sport, academics and performing arts.
Open events: There’s an open morning (junior and senior) on Fri 14 March. Book here

Hampton Court House School, Hampton Court
A unique co-ed day school for pupils aged 2-18 steeped in history, but with a refreshingly modern and child-centred approach to teaching. It’s set on a superb site with sweeping views of Bushy Park.
Open events: Open mornings are held each week on Tuesday mornings (Early Years) and Wednesday mornings for the Prep, Senior and Sixth Form. Book here

Box Hill School, Mickleham
This international day and boarding school in the Surrey Hills puts holistic education and student wellbeing front and centre, and through that gets the best out of pupils.
Open events: Fri 28 March and Wed 7 May. Book here

Ewell Castle School, Ewell
A co-ed all-through day school set across three sites in Ewell Village, Ewell Castle School has a close-knit, family feel with a focus on pastoral wellbeing and individual learning. It’s a relatively small school that sporting-wise punches well above its weight at a local, regional and national level.
Open events: Senior School is Mon 10 March and Prep school is Wed 30 April. Book here

Frensham Heights School, near Farnham
This all-through co-ed day and boarding school on the edge of Rowledge, near Farnham for pupils from age 3 to 18. It’s a modern and forward-thinking school, offering a child-centred, holistic education where individuality is celebrated.
Open event: There are whole school open mornings on Thurs 13 March and Fri 9 May. Book here

TASIS England, Thorpe
Set on a sprawling campus, this international day and boarding school has super welcoming feel and a great sense of community. Impressive results, too – across the board.
Open events: Sat 8 March. Book here

Lingfield College, Lingfield
An all-through school for boys and girls idyllically placed just outside Lingfield village in Surrey close to the borders with Sussex and Kent. There’s a strong sense of community and a great all-rounder offering.
Open events: Prep school is Sat 8 March; mini open events are Thurs 13 and Mon 24 March. Book here

SENIOR SCHOOLS

Secondary school students with rucksacks.

Prior’s Field School, Godalming
This all-girls day and boarding school puts girl power centre stage thanks to a strong and varied curriculum, and a nurturing and supportive environment. The arts are big, and academics are strong too. Entry is softly selective.
Open events: Meet the head on Fri 25 April; open afternoon is Fri 27 June. Book here

Hurtwood House, Dorking
Famed for its performing arts offering, this innovative and exciting Sixth Form boarding school is a mecca for creative types – hello Emily Blunt and Hans Zimmer – while also keeping academic standards exceptionally high.
Open events: No open events are held at Hurtwood House. Book a private tour. Book here

Epsom College, Epsom
Set in 85 acres of beautiful parkland, Epsom College is day and boarding school for children aged 11 to 18. It has a strong academic reputation, consistently ranked among the UK’s leading schools. Whilst the all-rounder offering is strong, sports like rugby are high on the agenda. Pastoral care is also excellent.
Open events: Sat 22 March. Book here

Notre Dame School, Cobham
Notre Dame School is an all-girls Catholic day school nestled on 26 acres in Cobham. It’s an all-through school for girls (of all faiths and none) aged 2 to 18 where happiness and success go hand-in-hand.
Open events: Senior School open event is Fri 7 March. Book here

King Edward’s Witley, Godalming
A day and boarding school with bags of history, a beautiful campus, a solid all-rounder offering and a super strong sense of community? King Edward’s Witley is the full package. Diversity and inclusion are high on the agenda here too.
Open events: Fri 21 March. Book here

The Royal School, Haslemere
An independent, co-ed school for pupils aged 10 to 18 with a distinguished history and big things on the horizon. It’s a forward-thinking school that ensures pupils are ‘future-ready’ while retaining its historical values. Not academically selective, yet achieves excellent results.
Open events: Private tours are held each week during term time. Bo o k here

Dunottar School, Reigate
A co-ed day school on a leafy site in Reigate with a reputation for strong pastoral care and pupil support. A great all-rounder that works hard to get the best out of each individual child.
Open events: Wed 12 March. Book here

Reigate Grammar School, Reigate
An academically outstanding day school for boys and girls aged 11-18. The school has a reputation for its academic success – the majority of its leavers going on to Oxbridge or Russell Group universities – but pastoral care is the foundation of everything here.
Open events: The annual open morning is in the autumn term. Working open mornings are on Wed 7 May and Tues 13 May. Book here

Cranleigh School, Cranleigh
A top co-ed day and boarding school with a dazzling array of facilities, a strong academic offering and a real sense of family and community.
Open event: There are welcome mornings on 1 and 8 March. Book here

Caterham School, Caterham
Caterham School is an all-through day and boarding school set on a stunning 200 acre site in the Harestone Valley. It’s a school that comes with an impressive reputation for academic excellence, but one that also gets the pastoral care and the wellbeing of students right. There’s also an excellent offering of extra-curricular activities.
Open events: Wed 12 March. Book here

Tormead Senior School, Guildford
A girls’ day school in Guildford with a long history of excellent pastoral care and a growing reputation for strong academics. It’s a great all-rounder, with lots on offer. Tormead Prep is across the road.
Open events: The Senior School open day is on Wed 12 March and Thurs 24 April. Book here

Diaries ready? Surrey school open events – spring term 2025

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