WHAT? WHERE?

Chinthurst School is an independent co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 2-11 years based in Tadworth. It is one of three junior schools of the award-winning senior school Reigate Grammar which is currently the top co-educational day school in Surrey. Chinthurst students can 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.

The school has been on the Tadworth site – a former perfume factory – for 115 years, initially as an all-girls’ school, but later becoming a school for boys. It is now very much a co-educational establishment with 300 pupils currently on its roll. Children come from Epsom, Kingswood, Chipstead, Banstead, Cheam and the surrounding areas.

The main entrance and building – a handsome Victorian number – is on Tadworth Street, and this houses the Upper School (Years 3-6), as well as the dining hall, library, drama and music rooms and ICT suite.

The Lower School (Little Chicks, Kindergarten, Reception and Years 1 and 2) can be found across the playing fields in a building with its own entrance on The Avenue. The littlies have access to a separate play area, but they also mingle with the older kids – like one big happy family.

FACILITIES

For a school that’s not set on particularly massive site – it’s about four acres all told – it certainly packs the facilities in. As you’d expect from an independent school that is strong on sport, you’ll find an in-ground heated pool (with a roof that slides off during the hotter months – very clever!), rugby and football playing fields, cricket nets, astroturf and an indoor sports hall.

There’s also a science lab, a music room plus three practice rooms, a drama studio, computing suite, a vibrant art room and a colourful languages classroom.

SPORT

The school takes a progressive and forward-looking approach to sport, particularly when it comes to gender equality. While a gender-neutral sports programme is starting to be fairly common in many independent schools, Chinthurst was ahead of the curve – it’s been in place here for a number of years.

Their innovative approach to sport caught the attention of the judges of the Independent School of the Year awards, and in 2022 the school was awarded 2022 Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement. It’s a massive accolade – there were more than 700 schools nominated for the awards – and the school is deservedly proud of the achievement. Safe to say, Chinthurst punches well above its weight when it comes to sports.

Chinthurst encourages children to choose a sport, without being constrained by conventional norms. In football, rugby, netball and hockey the boys and girls train alongside each other and play fixtures together in competitive teams.

The result is a cohort of children who see themselves as equals on the pitch with no preconceived ‘limitations’. Lovely too, that the encouragement and support they give each other on the sporting field continues when they stop playing.

The pupils at Chinthurst benefit from high standards of coaching and playing, regardless of the sport they play, and regardless of gender.

Unsurprisingly, other local schools have started to follow Chinthurst’s lead – great news for a school that’s intent on changing attitudes and limitations put on children by society.

As well as traditional sports, children at Chinthurst also get to try out a range of of sports at the annual multi-sport week. Skills sessions for other sports like basketball are held throughout the year too.

MUSIC, DRAMA AND ART

For those of an arty disposition, there’s a vibrant art room – complete with its own kiln – and visitors will notice lots of lovely artwork displayed around the school buildings.

There are several music rooms and an impressive drama studio. There is a strong peripatetic music programme in addition to timetabled music lessons. Children learn musical instruments as a class from Year 1 to 4 (keyboard, recorder, violin and ukulele), and from Year 1 about 60 per cent of children also have one-to-one lessons. All children from 2 ½ years upwards have weekly timetabled drama lessons. The children gain outstanding marks in LAMDA drama exams and can take LAMDA lessons with the drama teacher within the school day in a similar way to peripatetic music lessons.

There are lots of opportunities to perform throughout the year for all the children – at assemblies, musical showcases and drama productions as well as in choirs and ensembles.

LITTLIES

Littlies can join nursery either as Little Chicks at two and a half, or go directly into kindergarten (for the pre-school year). The nursery aims to get the children excited about learning and there is always lots of imaginative activities alongside plenty of fun and fresh air. As a fully integrated part of Chinthurst school, the joined-up curriculum ensures the children are well prepared for the step up to Reception when the time comes. When they start ‘big school’ the children are already familiar with the buildings, staff and routines, and families already feel part of the community.

From the beginning of nursery (and right through the school), there is a structured approach to phonics with teaching designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers, willing writers, and able spellers. Maths is taught through problem-solving with a big emphasis on discovery and having lots of fun. Just like the older children, littlies at Chinthurst have specialist lessons in music, drama, swimming, languages and sport. Outdoor learning is a priority, and the children love the regular Woodland Learning sessions in the local woods.

I’d say the relaxed, family atmosphere at Chinthurst sits well with the Early Years facility.

ACADEMICS

Kids do well at Chinthurst – but the main focus here is not simply on turning out children with high grades. Chinthurst wants its pupils to leave the school a good learners with skills in collaboration, critical thinking, resilience and responsibility.

Typically 60 per cent of pupils transfer to Reigate Grammar School (having been offered their place whilst still in Year 5) but the school has excellent relationships with many other top independent schools. A future schools programme starts when pupils are in Year 3 with teachers talking to parents. As a highly-selective senior school, RGS may not be the right fit for all children – and there’s an emphasis on finding the right school for pupils.

As well as RGS, children have moved on to Epsom College, Worth School, Dunottar, St John’s Leatherhead, Caterham and Box Hill over the past few years. All go to their first-choice school, and many are awarded scholarships in academics, sport and music.

PASTORAL CARE

The school’s big calling card is it’s pastoral care and wellbeing. It’s intrinsic within the school’s ethos and structure – and it shows. Chinthurst has been recognised for its outstanding wellbeing programme – called Wellbeing at Heart – and also a wellbeing curriculum called Zones of Regulation. There’s also a wellbeing pooch called Scout – an incredibly cute three-year-old cockapoo.

Kindness is at the centre of a whole school pastoral care system and the teachers give priority to building relationships with the children over everything else. Leading the way again, Chinthurst introduced the Zones of Regulation Framework when children returned to school after the Covid lockdowns.

And while the name might seem unwieldy, the premise is quite simple: to teach children to understand and learn to manage their emotions. The good news? It’s working. Teachers I spoke to said children have a greater understanding of how to control and manage their feelings which results in more productive learning. Children know, for example, if they need to take five minutes to walk around the playground to balance their emotions. Read more about the Zones of Regulation here.

As with most schools, a formal pastoral tracking system is also in place to monitor all children, and there are entire days dedicated to wellbeing. Children are also taught strategies to help keep them grounded, like breathing techniques and how to perform a ‘mindful minute’. There’s also a system whereby pupils who need to talk to a teacher – but may feel too shy to approach an adult – can leave a ‘bubble’ on the teacher’s desk. It’s often easier to open up to an adult if they come to you.

There’s also a dedicated wellbeing room.

THE HEAD

Cathy Trundle head teacher at Chinthurst School in Tadworth with Scout the dog and pupils

Ahhhh! The lovely, charismatic Cathy Trundle. Miss Trundle has been at Chinthurst for seven years – having previously spent 10 years at Reigate St Mary’s, seven as that school’s deputy head. She has a genuine passion for Chinthurst and the children – and this comes across. She believes that an all-encompassing and thorough wellbeing programme is an essential part of what Chinthurst does best – turning out happy and successful kids. “Get that right, and everything else follows,” she says.

Children are encouraged to take risks, try new things and failure is turned into a positive learning experience. This builds confidence and provides a strong foundation from which they can fulfil their potential.

QUIRKS

Perhaps not a quirk as such, but there’s a unique sense of family about the school that includes staff and students. Two of the teachers are former Chinthurst students themselves, while several others have seen their own children, and in some cases grandchildren, through the school. There’s a relaxed and homely vibe to the school – and it’s clear that students – past and present – feel a strong connection to Chinthurst.

WRAP AROUND CARE

Breakfast club is from 7.30am, and after-school care goes until 6pm. There are plenty of extra-curricular clubs and activities on offer for kids of all ages – ranging from chess or fencing to drama and cookery. During the holidays, Camp Beaumont provides fun and active holiday clubs onsite for children aged 3 years and above.

ISI REPORT

Chinthurst School was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in February 2023 and was found to be excellent in all areas. The school is particularly proud that pupils were noted as highly confident communicators and pupils’ academic achievements were excellent. Inspectors also noted that pupils demonstrated exceptionally well-developed self-knowledge, self- confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline and self-awareness. Read the full report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not allowed at school at all for pupils up to Year 4. Children in year 5 and 6 who may need a phone when travelling to and from school are allowed to bring phones in, but they must be handed in at the start of each day. Phones are not permitted on school trips.

TRANSPORT

There are currently no school bus routes – mainly because there’s no demand for them. However the school is monitoring this, and if there’s seen to be a need, bus routes may be introduced in the future.

FEES – 2024-2025

In reception fees are £4,500 per term (including lunch) rising to £4,590 in the Lower School (Year 1 and 2) and £6,310 a term in the Upper School (Year 4-6).

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents love the family ethos at Chinthurst, and the way the school pushes the kids to achieve their best without putting them under stress. The early offer to RGS is also a draw.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Anyone looking for a pastorally driven school with great facilities, excellent academic results and a strong feeling of being a home-from-home.

Not for: It’s a relatively small school site, so if it’s vast acreage you’re after – Chinthurst may not suit.

Dare to disagree? Go see it for yourself at an open day or book a private tour. Click here to find out the next open day.

Chinthurst School, 52 Tadworth Street, Tadworth, KT20 5QZ. Tel: 01737 812 011. chinthurstschool.co.uk

Chinthurst School, Tadworth

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