WHAT? WHERE?

This independent school for boys aged 3 to 11 has a prime spot in the heart of Guildford, set across two adjacent sites. Founded in 1930 as Lanesborough School, it merged with RGS Guildford in 2021, an inevitable union given the schools had shared the same governance structure for more than 40 years.

RGS Prep is unashamedly selective, and well known for its academic achievement and links to RGS Guildford (obvs!). Although, passage to the senior school is not a given and the school prides itself on preparing pupils for the right senior school to suit each pupil.

As the choir school for the Guildford Cathedral, there’s an excellent music programme. And if you arrive at the school early enough in the morning most days there’s a good chance you’ll hear the melodic voices of the boys at their morning practise.

Many of the 330 boys who attend the school live locally in or around Guildford so there’s a strong sense of community. But the school also attracts boys from up and down the A3 corridor from Kingston, Walton-on-Thames and Cobham to Farnham, Haslemere, Godalming and Cranleigh. The main points for admission are nursery and shell, and then year 3.

FACILITIES

The school is split between the prep school with its entrance on Maori Road, and the pre-prep on Aldersey Road behind the prep. They’re quiet residential streets, and a gate at the rear of the prep site creates an easy connection between the two.

It’s just a five-minute walk to Guildford town centre – so you’re not going to get super expansive grounds with acres of fields. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the size of the grounds, though, and the clever arrangement of sports fields, both turf and astro. On my first visit to RGS Prep they were set up as four pitches, but this can increase to eight smaller pitches.

The grounds also include the Science Garden in a quieter part of the playground – a pretty area that’s used for gardening club and outdoor lessons, as well as school community events.

The main prep school building is Lanesborough House, a former private residential property which interconnects with Markham House, another late 19th century building. Inside there is a homely labyrinth of corridors leading to light, bright and airy classrooms that have been given a modern touch. There’s a vibrant and buzzy feel to the school but also lovely touches like the traditional timber school desks.

Facilities are impressive. Two science labs are well kitted-out, and there are DT and ICT suites, plus a huge art studio with its own kiln room for firing ceramics.

There’s also a performing arts centre called the Loubser Performance Studio, the multi-purpose Gieve Room which opens out onto the sports fields, and a separate dining hall. The sports hall was a new addition in 2016, and includes a handy mezzanine with a fantastic view over the sports hall and is used not only for sports, but also for clubs, workshops and presentations.

SPORT

If you think music and sport don’t go well together, you haven’t visited RGS Prep. It’s not uncommon for the boys to learn one or two instruments and also have places on the schools top for sport.

The main team sports played in the curriculum are football, cricket and rugby – although many others including basketball, netball and badminton are also played. And while the boys achieve success (the year 6 football team went undefeated for a number of years) the school wants sport to be fun and inclusive. Athletics and cross country are also in the curriculum, and the boys have weekly swimming lessons at the nearby Spectrum Leisure Complex in Guildford. And then there’s a huge range of extra-curricular sporting opportunities which ranges from table tennis and golf to skiing and squash.

In competition, while the boys are encouraged to do their best and play well, there’s an expectation that boys are humble, gracious honest, self-disciplined and respectful.

THE ARTS

Well, it is the Choir School for Guildford Cathedral – so music is high up on the agenda here as you’d expect. About 70 per cent of boys play at least one musical instrument – with many of those playing two or three. There are 220 music lessons taught each week by 16 visiting teachers.

There are more ensembles, bands and choirs here than you can poke a conductor’s baton at from guitar, brass and wind ensembles to rock bands and orchestras.

The choristers rehearse at school four mornings a week, and they sing with the full choir at Evensong in the Cathedral two evenings a week, in addition to the Sunday services. Many of the choristers go on to become music scholars and eventually pursue a career in music.

But it’s not all about the music. The drama department is strong, too, and with performances in both pre-prep and prep. The year 6 production is one of the highlights of the year. Speak Out, a public speaking competition for boys in years 2 to 6, is also popular.

And of course, there’s that lovely big art studio where boys will work across a variety of mediums not just drawing and painting but also needlework, sculpture and ceramics. I’m told the ceramics is an easy favourite with the boys.

LITTLIES

Braganza House is the where you’ll find the pre-prep. Children start here at age 3 in the nursery where they have their own classroom and separate play area. They also have the use of the main pre-prep playground which includes an impressive timber ship called HMS Lanesborough, a nature area called Boyzone, plus an outdoor classroom with a firepit. The boys also make use of the facilities at the Prep school across the road.

The reception classroom, called shell, is on the ground floor, and years 1 and 2 are in classrooms upstairs. The pre-prep has its own little library and a multi-purpose hall.

Children have weekly music and games lessons with specialist teachers, and in shell, French is also introduced.

THE ACADEMICS

The school is academically selective, so as you’d expect the learning moves at a steady pace. Lessons in years 3 to 6 are taught by form teachers and specialists for subjects such as French, music, drama, computing, sport and games.

Boys are mostly taught in mixed ability groups, but there’s setting in maths from year 4, and ability sets are introduced for English in year 6.

In year 5, Spanish, Latin, verbal and non-verbal reasoning are introduced to the curriculum.

The curriculum is supported with a range of trips and workshops, plus external speakers. The school also runs a year-round programme called Inspire, which aims to give everyone the opportunity to try activities that spark their passions and interests. The annual ‘Inspire Day’ full of activities and exploration is one of the favourite of the school year for the boys.

NEXT SCHOOLS

About 60% to 70% of boys go on RGS, but the transition is not guaranteed. Throughout the boys’ time at RGS Prep, the school works closely with parents to make sure the boys go on to well-matched senior schools. Interestingly, just under half of the boys who don’t get an offer from RGS Guildford, haven’t actually applied which suggests this process works well.

After RGS Guildford, Reed’s School is a popular choice. In 2023, boys went on to 17 different senior schools including Churcher’s College, King Edward’s Witley, St John’s Leatherhead, St Edmund’s, King’s College Wimbledon, Cranmore, Cranleigh, Aldro, Christ’s College Guildford, Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, Tiffin and Hampton School. In previous years, other destinations include Reigate Grammar, George Abbot School, Epsom College, Truro, Duke of Kent School, Charterhouse, Lord Wandsworth College and Kingston Grammar.

Last year, 13 scholarships were offered from schools including RGS Guildford, Reigate Grammar, Reed’s School, St John’s Leatherhead, Aldro, St Edmund’s School and Claremont Fan Court.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care and wellbeing is strong at RGS Prep, and layered throughout the school on many levels. The first port of call is the form teacher, but posters are also displayed around the school with information on who children can speak to if they have a problem.

Pupils use a feelings chart when they arrive at school for an emotional check in with their form tutor. And there are mindfulness workshops, wellbeing weeks and hygge days, plus a buddy system and an active house system that promotes collaboration and friendships across the year groups.

For children seeking some quiet time, there’s a dedicated wellbeing hub, and also the Science garden. And the school has a full-time ELSA plus talking groups. Activities such as mindfulness colouring are included in the many lunchtime and after-school clubs.

Toby Freeman-Day the headmaster has an open door policy, and boys are welcome in his office for gentle chats while they build lego. A vase in the room is filled with lego flowers.

The school has also set up a wellbeing app which boys can access through their device to share their feelings or concerns.

THE HEAD

Toby Freeman-Day, headmaster at RGS Prep in Guildford, Surrey.

Toby Freeman-Day came to RGS Prep in August 2020 from Guildford High School where he was deputy head for four years. He’s friendly, approachable and down-to-earth. As well as the high standard of academics, he also has pastoral care close to his heart and since his arrival at RGS Prep he’s expanded the wellness programme.

The son of a school teacher of 40-plus years, Toby grew up in Guildford and has taught at a mix of independent and state schools throughout his career. You get a sense that teaching is his real passion – so it’s no surprise to learn that he still teaches and runs several co-curricular clubs.

He lives off-site with his wife Frankie and two young children, and his son is a pupil at the school.

QUIRKS

Okay, so the fact that reception is called shell, is a little unusual. I’ve never come across that before – so that falls neatly under ‘quirky’.

Not a quirk as such, but the school has close links with local girls’ schools including Guildford High, St Catherine’s Bramley and Tormead, who are just across the road. There are regular trips to and from the schools and collaborations in areas including reading, sports and DT.

WRAP AROUND CARE

There’s breakfast club from 7.30am, and after-school care until 6.30pm. The school is a short walk from Guildford London Road Station, so this is a handy option for parents who commute.

There’s a head-spinning number of extra curricular sporting (and non-sporting) clubs also on offer. There’s a real drive to offer boys a wide variety of opportunities with the aim of inspiring them. These include Quidditch Club, disco club (run by the head), judo and the popular chess club among many others.

ISI REPORT

The school was inspected by the ISI in 2022 and found to be excellent across the board. Read the report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

No phones are permitted at school – but for those who do bring them in they must be handed into the office where they’re locked away during the school day.

TRANSPORT

A shared bus network with nearby Tormead School covers Camberley, Cobham, Esher, Ewhurst, Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere, Surbiton, Walton, Woking and the surrounding villages.

FEES

2023-24: Nursery is £4,389 per term; shell (reception) is £5,082, year 1-2, £5,361 per term; years 3-4 is £6,090, years 5-6, £6,300. Fees include the cost of most stationery and textbooks, games and school societies. Individual music tuition is additional. There are no sibling discounts.

WORD ON THE GROUND

The school is unashamedly academic, but there’s room for all kinds of boys at RGS Prep which parents like. Boys with a have-a-go attitude will thrive. One parent said the school was also very nurturing, particularly in the pre-prep. The school is small and friendly, and there’s a well-organised parents’ association, parents also enjoy.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Lovers of music (or sons of lovers of music!) and bright boys who thrive on learning.

Not for: Boys who might struggle with the academics. The physical confines of the school might not fit with the rural idyll pictured by some parents.

Dare to disagree? The next open day is Sat 12 Oct – book a place here.

RGS Guildford – Prep School, Maori Road, Guildford, GU1 2EL. Tel: 01483 880 650

rgsg.co.uk

RGS Prep, Guildford

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