WHAT? WHERE?

Pupils at Rydes Hill School in Guildford, Surrey.

Rydes Hill is a one-form entry prep school and nursery tucked away in the leafy suburbs of Guildford – just north-west of the town centre. Small in size, it’s big on heart. There have been some major changes recently, all while keeping the warm, family atmosphere that parents and pupils love.

In 2025, Rydes Hill joined the Tormead family, beginning a new chapter that will see the school transition from its historic roots as an all-girls’ Catholic school to fully co-educational by 2030. The change is being phased in gradually. In September 2025, girls in Years 3–6 moved to Tormead Prep, while Rydes Hill remained co-ed in the Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2–7. From September 2027, Year 3 returns as fully co-educational, followed by Year 4 in 2028, Year 5 in 2029 and Year 6 in 2030.

In September 2026 the nursery also expands to welcome babies from six months. In early 2026, there were 127 pupils, and by September that number is expected to reach 150.

Despite the changes, the school still feels very much like the Rydes Hill of old – warm, nurturing, and wonderfully close-knit. Its ethos is simple: happy children learn. Being part of the Tormead family adds fresh opportunities and shared resources, but the school’s distinctive character and ethos remain intact.

Rydes Hill is proudly non-selective, yet pupils consistently perform strongly academically, going on to a wide range of selective schools. Class sizes are deliberately small allowing staff to nurture, challenge and tailor the learning to each child.

The school was founded in 1945 by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, an order of nuns who had been evacuated from Sanderstead to Hatchlands during the war. While no longer a Catholic school, the values and ethos instilled by its founders remain very much alive.

FACILITIES

Rydes Hill sits on a modest but perfectly formed site, entered via a sweeping driveway that makes a strong first impression. The heart of the school is a striking early Georgian red-brick building, extended in Victorian times and still crowned by its handsome clocktower. Inside, classrooms are bright and airy – none of the pokey corners you might expect from an older school.

Since joining the Tormead family, the school is having a glow-up, starting with the nursery. Classrooms are beautifully appointed with calming blonde timbers and sage-green panelling. Even the loos feature stylish wallpaper that wouldn’t look out of place in Vogue Living.

The nursery – housed across three buildings – caters for children from six months to four years. Dedicated spaces include Pips (6 months–1 year), Seeds (1–2 years), Acorns (rising 3) and Oaks (rising 4). Each group has its own classrooms and outdoor areas, with access to the school grounds. A swanky new playground for the Oaks includes an all-weather surface, climbing equipment and slides.

Elsewhere, there are performing arts facilities including a music classroom, practice rooms and a ballet studio, plus an art studio. The Library and Hub has iPads and STEM equipment, and there’s a fully kitted science lab.

The school hall doubles as a space for indoor sports, clubs, assemblies and productions with retractable seating, lighting and sound equipment.

The dining hall is quite something – all timber-clad with beams and arched doorways. Think Hogwarts vibes, but cosier. The Old Library, once a billiards room, is another stunning space framed by wood panelling and original Joan of Arc murals from 1886. It now hosts assemblies and events. There’s also a parents’ hub offering tea, coffee, and Wifi.

Outside, pupils enjoy netball and tennis courts, grassy areas and a wooded space for Forest School adventures.

SPORT

A girl plays netball at Rydes Hill School in Guildford, Surrey.

Sport is lively and firmly woven into school life, with a vibrant PE and Games programme and plenty of opportunities for pupils to get moving.

From Nursery through to Year 2, children enjoy a rich and varied programme taught by specialist teachers. Athletics, ballet, cricket, cross country, dance, gymnastics, football, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming and tennis all feature on the timetable, with particular strengths in gymnastics, athletics and ballet.

There are weekly PE and Games lessons, plus lunchtime sports clubs from Wednesday to Friday – meaning plenty of chances to burn off energy. Reception to Year 2 pupils also head off to Surrey Sports Park on Friday afternoons for weekly swimming lessons.

Being part of the Tormead family also opens up access to the impressive Urnfield Sports Ground – just a 10-minute bus ride away. Facilities include a floodlit astro hockey pitch, two football pitches and a rugby pitch, a six-lane running track, shot put circle, long jump runway, two cricket squares, cricket nets and a sports pavilion. It’s a brilliant space for the children to enjoy sport.

MUSIC & DRAMA

Music is a big deal at Rydes Hill, starting right from Nursery. Pupils get two music lessons each week, and from Reception they can try the violin, as well as wind and brass instruments. By Year 2, everyone joins the Viva Violins scheme, learning with a specialist teacher – and if they fancy, one-to-one tuition is available in piano, recorder, voice and other string instruments. There’s a school orchestra, junior choir, and plenty of smaller ensembles – wind, recorder, string and flute groups – so there’s always a chance to make a bit of noise together.

Drama is just as central. Speech and drama runs from Reception to Year 2, helping children find their voice and build confidence in front of a crowd. And they perform – a lot. From poetry and sketches to musicals, plays and solo performances, the children get to show off to classmates, the whole school, parents and anyone else who’s lucky enough to watch. It’s clear the approach works – Rydes Hill regularly achieves some of the strongest speech and drama results in the country, all while keeping the emphasis on fun, self-expression and growing confidence.

LITTLIES

From September 2026, children can start in the Nursery at Rydes Hill from just six months – a move that’s already proving very popular. The school offers real flexibility, with term-time only or all-year (48 weeks) options, and wrap-around care from 7.30am to 6pm.

The new Nursery facilities are first-class, designed to feel like a home-from-home, particularly for the littlest ones in Pips (6 months–1 year) and Seeds (1–2 years). Staff are genuinely committed to fitting in with each child’s routines – from naps to potty training – and every morning parents get a verbal handover, with a weekly update including photos of their child’s adventures.

As children move up through Acorns (rising 3) and Oaks (rising 4), more structure is introduced, though the focus remains on fun, playful learning. There’s a strong emphasis on developing communication and language skills, alongside early literacy and numeracy, with sounds, letters, and numbers woven into engaging activities each week. The approach ensures that every child is reaching or exceeding their developmental milestones, while also inspiring curiosity, imagination, and a love of learning.

Above all, Nursery life is about building confidence, independence, and resilience – without any pressure or competition. Children benefit from specialist teachers for Forest School, music, PE and Games, with optional ballet, plus baking and early language lessons including Mandarin. By the time they move on to Reception, pupils are well prepared, happy, and confident, ready to step into the next stage of their school journey.

ACADEMICS

A boy at Rydes Hill School in Guildford, Surrey.

Academics are a real calling card at Rydes Hill, with pupils consistently moving on to highly selective schools – all the more impressive given the school is proudly non-selective. But this isn’t a hothouse environment; happiness and wellbeing sit at the heart of learning, alongside a genuine focus on educating the whole child. The school weaves the 5 C’s – Creativity, Courage, Curiosity, Collaboration and Communication – plus Kindness, into everything children do, helping them develop as confident, capable learners.

Rydes Hill offers a broad, rich and well-rounded curriculum, with an emphasis on learning skills that can be applied across all subjects. Cross-curricular links are common, particularly with STEAM subjects integrated into other topics, encouraging problem-solving, curiosity and creativity. Small class sizes mean every child gets plenty of individual attention, and learning is tailored to suit each pupil’s pace and strengths.

From Reception upwards, children benefit from specialist teaching in French, speech and drama, ballet, computing, music and PE, giving them the chance to explore and excel in a variety of areas. Rydes Hill pupils typically move on to schools such as Tormead or RGS Prep in Guildford, Aldro in Shackleford, and Cranmore in West Horsley.

PASTORAL CARE

Cody the miniature poodle, at Rydes Hill School in Guildford, Surrey.

With just over 100 pupils, it’s little wonder that Rydes Hill feels like one big, happy family. The nurturing, supportive vibe is a core part of the school’s approach – and a key ingredient in its academic success. There’s a strong focus on protecting and building each child’s self-esteem, and the school is widely recognised for its pastoral strength.

Because every teacher and staff member knows each child so well, any issues can be spotted and addressed quickly before they escalate. Support is comprehensive, with a dedicated ELSA, two SENCOs, and a network of specialists covering speech and language, autism, and ADHD. The Tormead merger also brings access to wider pastoral expertise, including trained counsellors, when needed.

Pupil voice is genuinely valued – children are encouraged to have a say in school life, shaping their own experiences and contributing to the community.

And of course, no Rydes Hill day would be complete without Cody, the miniature poodle, trotting happily around the school and spreading smiles to pupils and staff alike.

THE HEAD

Faye Messinger, head teacher at Rydes Hill school in Guildford, Surrey.

Faye Messinger has been Headmistress at Rydes Hill since September 2025, having previously led the Nursery and Pre-Prep from 2022. Before joining Rydes Hill, she worked at Holy Trinity Church of England School in West End, near Woking.

Warm, engaging, and hands-on, Faye believes children thrive when they feel happy, supported, and inspired. She champions a nurturing, family-style environment where every child is known and valued, and she’s particularly keen to maintain the school’s close-knit feel. Her open-door policy means parents and pupils are always welcome. And you’ll find her greeting children on the gate each morning or hosting individual class breakfasts. She also runs plenty of community events, including the Rydes Hill Ramblers club one Sunday each month.

Faye is passionate about helping pupils build confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. Married with two young boys under 10 and a cocker spaniel, she lives just outside Guildford.

QUIRKS

At Rydes Hill, the school’s values – Creativity, Courage, Curiosity, Collaboration, Communication and Kindness – aren’t just words on a wall. Each week, one child who has truly embodied these qualities is celebrated with a sash, worn proudly for all to see. It’s a fun, visible way to recognise effort, character, and kindness.

WRAP AROUND CARE

A girl at Rydes Hill School in Guildford, Surrey.

Rydes Hill offers flexible options for busy families. Nursery places can be term-time only or year-round, with extended care from 7.30am to 6pm.

For Pre-Prep pupils, Breakfast Club kicks off at 7.30am and Early Bird Club is from 8am. School ends at 3.15pm, and from then Stay and Play runs until 6pm. Those staying until 6pm are treated to a hot dinner.

There’s also a rich variety of extra-curricular clubs to suit every interest – from cross-country and coding to ballet, netball, and art.

ISI REPORT

The most recent ISI inspection was November 2024. You can read that report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not permitted at school.

TRANSPORT

As part of the Tormead family, Rydes Hill offers a free shuttle service between the schools each morning and afternoon, making connections seamless. From September 2026, a new bus route from Woking will also be introduced.

FEES: 2025-26

Termly fees (including VAT) are £3,831 for Reception and £4,388 in Years 1-2. Lunch is £541 per term, and classroom supplies are charged at £77 per term. Swimming lessons for children from Reception to Year are £86 per term (including VAT).

The Nursery offers both term-time and all-year-round options. The term-time day runs from 8am to 4pm, with a choice of two sessions and a minimum booking of two full days or four half-day sessions. The morning session, which runs from 8am to 1pm and includes lunch, costs £50 per day, while a full day from 8am to 4pm, including lunch, is £80 per day.

For the all-year-round Nursery, which runs from 7.30am to 6pm, the same two session options are available, with a minimum booking of four half-days or two full days. A half-day, from 7.30am to 1.30pm, including breakfast and lunch, costs £55, while a full day from 7.30am to 6pm, including breakfast, lunch, and a light supper, is £104.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents love Rydes Hill for its small size and the close-knit, family feel. The warm, nurturing environment is consistently praised – it’s very much a “non-hothouse” school, focused on developing the whole child rather than just exam results. Families highlight the excellent pastoral care, small class sizes, and the way teachers really get to know every pupil. The specialist-led extracurricular offerings – from Forest School and ballet to sport – are also a hit, giving children plenty of opportunities to explore, build confidence, and develop resilience, all while having fun.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Families seeking a small, affordable prep school where every child is known, nurtured, and given plenty of individual attention. Pupils leave well-rounded, confident, and academically strong. Flexible after-school care is a big plus for busy parents.

Not for: Children who might thrive in a larger school environment, or families looking for acres of open space and a rural campus – Rydes Hill is very much a suburban school.

Dare to disagree? Book an individual tour and see it for yourself.

Rydes Hill Preparatory School, Rydes Hill House, Aldershot Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 8BP. Tel: 01483 563 160

rydeshill.com

Rydes Hill Prep School and Nursery, Guildford

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