WHAT? WHERE?

Pupils at St Hilary's School in Godalming, Surrey.

A co-ed prep school for children aged 2-11, St Hilary’s Prep School sits on an idyllic 3.5-acre site in Godalming, with a handsome Victorian manor house at its centre.

St Hilary’s began life in 1927, founded by Marjorie Hiorns on nearby Tuesley Lane, before moving to this Holloway Hill site in 1936. It was an all-girls school until 2022, when it went fully co-ed.

In December 2024, St Hilary’s joined the St Edmund’s School Trust – and there are plans for a significant redevelopment, including closer links with St Edmund’s and changes to make better use of its existing spaces. set to start in September 2026, the plans will bring new specialist facilities for STEM, art, science and food technology, as well as improved shared spaces and opportunities in sport, drama and creative activities.

St Hilary’s has long been known for being nurturing, inclusive and genuinely kind, and that ethos remains firmly at its core. Entry is non-selective, which makes the number of scholarships achieved by pupils all the more impressive (more on that later), but there’s no pressure. There’s ambition, but it’s quietly encouraged – children are supported to aim high while also working out who they are and what they’re good at.

Unsurprisingly, this shapes a strong sense of belonging. Family sit at the heart of school life and, cliché or not, it genuinely functions as a close-knit community. While it remains firmly rooted as a local, community-minded prep with deep ties to its surroundings, there’s also a fresh energy running through the school, with a focus on preparing pupils not just for senior school, but for whatever comes next.

Around 220 pupils are on roll, with an even split of boys and girls. Most come from Godalming, Guildford and nearby villages, others are from Farnham, Haslemere, Chiddingfold and Hindhead.

FACILITIES

Put simply, St Hilary’s has a lovely countryside feel. You’d be hard-pressed to believe you’re in the heart of Godalming, less than half a mile from the train station – and you’d be forgiven for thinking the campus is bigger than it actually is.

The school is centred around a handsome Victorian building which (fun fact) was home to Robert Smith in the 1880s, whose son G.O. Smith went on to become a Corinthian footballer and England centre-forward, practising on these very fields.

Since then, the site has been sympathetically extended, so everything still flows rather than feeling bolted on. The main house now contains the Head’s study, admin offices and reception, with The Pepper Pot dining room next door.

At the heart of school life are the Nursery and Kindergarten spaces, each with their own outdoor area – part-covered so it works year-round. Alongside balance bikes and scooters, there’s a sandpit and a rather brilliant castle-and-slide play structure that inevitably steals the show.

Beyond that, facilities are impressively broad for a school of this size: a science lab, IT suite, music wing and dedicated performing arts studio. There’s also a Lego innovation space, known as The Hive, while the art room is a genuinely creative hub, complete with kiln, printing tools and more supplies than you could reasonably count.

Sport is equally well covered, with access to the main hall, netball and tennis courts, grass pitches and all-weather surfaces. There’s even an allotment with raised beds and a greenhouse – enough to make even the most enthusiastic gardener slightly envious.

The grounds themselves are leafy and well established, with a woodland area, pond and wildlife zone adding to the sense of space.

SPORT

Sport isn’t an add-on here – it’s part of the school’s bloodstream. Traditional team sports – netball, rugby, cricket, football and hockey – are all played to a strong standard, alongside a genuinely wide offer including basketball, badminton, judo and handball.

Boys and girls mix freely in football, cricket and netball, and inclusivity is firmly part of the culture. This is deliberately sport-for-all rather than sport-for-the-selected-few.

From Year 2 upwards, pupils compete in regular fixtures against other schools, and St Hilary’s has built a particularly strong reputation in netball (frequent appearances at the National IAPS finals) and swimming, where pupils have reached the English Schools Swimming Association National Championships. Athletics is another quiet powerhouse, with several district records held by pupils.

Swimming is slightly unusual in structure, as there is no on-site pool. Instead, pupils are bused to Godalming Leisure Centre, King Edward’s Witley and St Edmund’s Hindhead from Year 1 for weekly lessons – and it clearly works. The annual inter-house gala (Year 1 and up) is a highlight of the calendar and, predictably, fairly competitive.

Beyond the classics, triathlon and biathlon are growing in popularity, and the trophy cabinet has a few shiny medals to show for it too.

THE ARTS

You don’t need to spend long at St Hilary’s to see how highly the arts are valued – it’s quite literally all over the walls. And it’s seriously impressive, easily rivalling the standard you’d expect in some senior schools. From Year 1, children have dedicated art lessons in the studio, where experimentation is actively encouraged and new techniques are very much part of the process rather than an add-on.

The annual art exhibition is biggie in the school calendar, with work displayed in the hall and judged by external judges. It’s also notably inclusive, with pupils from other schools invited to take part, which adds an extra layer of energy to the event.

Performance opportunities are equally strong. Year 1-2 stage a nativity each year, while Years 3-4 and 5-6 take on larger productions. There’s a brilliantly well-stocked costume department, with many outfits handmade, and performances take place in the multi-purpose hall, which has recently been upgraded with a new sound system. LAMDA is hugely popular too, with over 60 pupils entering exams annually.

Music is just as embedded into school life. Many pupils learn at least one instrument or take singing lessons alongside timetabled music. All children in Year 2 learn the ukulele, moving on to violin in Year 3, creating a nice sense of progression as they move through the school.

Beyond that, there are plenty of ensembles to join, including junior and senior choirs, orchestra, brass group and flute ensemble. And in a rather charming twist, there’s even a staff and parents’ choir – because no one escapes the music here entirely.

LITTLIES

The Nursery and Kindergarten sit right at the heart of the school, not tucked away in a corner as you often see elsewhere. Children start in Nursery at age 2-3, move into Kindergarten at three, and then on to Reception at four. Even at Nursery level, the day is gently structured, with specialist gymnastics on offer. In Kindergarten, children also benefit from specialist music, Lego and French.

The Nursery and Kindergarten are term-time only, so his is very much a school rather than a day-care set-up. Nursery children attend a minimum of four sessions a week, while Kindergarten requires six. Morning sessions run 8.30am-12noon, afternoons 12.30-4pm, with a short lunch break in between. Wraparound care is available from 7.45am-6pm.

Classrooms are buzzy, bright and welcoming, and children spend plenty of time outside each day as well as indoors. Learning is topic-based and shaped around children’s interests, with assessment happening continuously through observation of play and progress. Communication with parents is clearly a priority too, with strong day-to-day feedback.

Little Hilary’s is a popular teacher-led baby and toddler group for children aged 0-3, offering story time, crafts and sing-alongs. Held on Monday mornings during term time, it’s free to attend. Book here. A recent off-shoot of this is Little Hilary’s BIG Adventures – a woodland based activity group all year round, held on Fridays during term time.

ACADEMICS

Children at St Hilary's Prep School in Godalming, Surrey.

The curriculum at St Hilary’s is broad, covering the usual core subjects like maths, English, geography and history alongside slightly less expected additions such as philosophy and chess. From Year 1, children are taught by specialist teachers in subjects including Woodland learning, art, French, music, Yoga, mIndfulness and wellbeing, PE and games, with the number of specialists increasing as they move through the school. By Year 6, much of the timetable is taught this way, with pupils moving between classrooms.

Setting starts in maths from Year 2 and English from Year 3, although there’s flexibility and movement between groups where needed.

Academic rigour is balanced with a strong focus on skills-based learning. There’s less emphasis on rote learning and more on how children think, question and approach problems, with resilience, creativity and critical thinking all given real weight. Dedicated Philosophy lessons from Year 1 upwards encourage pupils to analyse ideas, collaborate and challenge assumptions – all without feeling remotely stuffy.

It’s mostly two-form entry, with class sizes averaging around 15. From Year 4, all pupils are allocated a school iPad. Parents talk about children being excited to come to school, and there’s a sense that curiosity is valued as highly as outcomes. While academics matter, this is not a school that hothouses children for entrance exams. That said, pupils are clearly well prepared for what comes next.

Children move on to a wide range of senior schools – many with a scholarship in hand – including St Edmund’s Hindhead, RGS Guildford, GHS, Tormead, Charterhouse and King Edward’s Witley. In 2025, 30 scholarships and awards were offered to 37 pupils.

PASTORAL CARE

Wellbeing is highly valued and a clear priority at St Hilary’s, for both pupils and staff. It’s also the kind of school where everyone knows each other, which goes a long way in creating a calm, supportive environment.

Class teachers or form tutors are the first port of call for pupils and parents needing support or advice. Children are carefully monitored for changes in mood or behaviour, and there is a weekly meeting involving all teachers to discuss pupils and any emerging concerns.

The Nest provides a dedicated wellbeing space for breakout sessions, alongside separate areas for Learning Support. In the Pre-prep, families can opt into an early dyslexia screening programme, with a Dyslexia Screener also available for Years 3-6. It’s a helpful early step in identifying needs and ensuring learning is appropriately tailored.

A buddy system pairs children across year groups – including Reception with Year 6, and Year 1 with Year 5. Older pupils naturally look out for younger ones throughout the year, whether that’s helping with blazers or simply showing them the ropes. Handmade Christmas card exchanges are a nice touch too.

Simple wellbeing tools like “brain breaks” are used throughout the day – short pauses involving dancing, games or movement, depending on the teacher. Unsurprisingly, they go down well.

And then there’s Monty. A young fox red Labrador belonging to Headmaster Duncan Sinclair, he’s a recent arrival and already hugely popular. Currently training as a wellbeing dog, he’s settling into school life very happily indeed.

THE HEAD

New to St Hilary’s in September 2025, Duncan Sinclair joins from Somerhill School in Tonbridge, where he spent eight years as Head. Prior to that, he was at Taunton Prep in Somerset, overseeing the merger of three schools – experience that will stand him in good stead at St Hilary’s following its recent merger with St Edmund’s in Hindhead.

Born in Zimbabwe to teacher parents, Duncan moved to South Africa at the age of seven and finished his schooling in Johannesburg. A gap year working at Port Regis School in Dorset was originally meant to be a temporary stop before returning to South Africa to study environmental science. Instead, he discovered a love of education, changed direction entirely, and never looked back.

Warm, engaging and refreshingly self-deprecating, he brings an easy-going energy to the role. He might be 6ft 4, but he’s incredibly approachable and you get the sense his door is very much always open. Since arriving, he’s made it a priority to get to know every child – not just by name, but properly. He teaches PSCHE to pupils from Year 2 upwards, joins the younger children for story time, and also hosts regular Headmaster’s lunches with pupils from Year 3 and above.

Sport is a big passion too. A former professional rugby player turned hockey goalkeeper, he now plays golf “very badly” – which, to be fair, feels fairly relatable.

Family life is equally lively. A father of three boys, he spends plenty of weekends on the sidelines cheering children on. Music also runs strongly through the family. His mother was a music teacher and Duncan himself plays the clarinet, trombone and tuba, although he insists his children are now far more accomplished than he is.

WHAT ELSE?

We’ve already touched on the close-knit feel at St Hilary’s, but it really is the sort of school where families are genuinely invested in day-to-day life.

The annual grandparents’ tea party is one of the biggest dates in the school calendar – so popular, in fact, that it now runs across two days. Children invite two grandparents in for afternoon tea, followed by performances, and it’s apparently become enough of an occasion that some families travel from overseas to attend.

There’s also a strong culture of parents and extended family coming into school as part of the enrichment programme to share their experiences and careers. One child’s grandfather, for example, was an Antarctic scientist and explorer – which certainly beats the average assembly guest speaker.

WRAP AROUND CARE

The school day starts at 8.30am for children in Nursery and Kindergarten, and 8.45am for Reception to Year 6. Finish times vary by age, with Nursery and Kindergarten running until 4pm, Reception to Year 2 finishing at 3.30pm, and Years 3-6 ending at 4pm.

Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am (£7 per session), while after-school care is available until 6pm (from £4 per 30 minutes). Wraparound care is booked termly on a first-come, first-served basis.

There’s also a free 4 O’Clock Club, designed to bridge the gap for parents juggling different pick-up times, plus Homework Club from 4pm-5pm, Monday to Thursday, for Years 3-6.

After-school clubs are wide-ranging and change termly, with most running until 5pm. Options include everything from sport, judo and drama to art, filmmaking, magic and skateboarding. And pupils clearly have some sway too – when the school council recently requested a Warhammer club, the answer was an immediate yes. Already, it’s super popular.

ISI REPORT

St Hilary’s most recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) was in February 2024. It was judged to be ‘Fully Compliant’ in all five focus areas assessed. See the report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

No mobile phones are permitted at school.

TRANSPORT

The school operates a morning mini-bus service around Godalming and Guildford. Current routes take in Compton, Farncombe, Binscombe and Wanborough.

FEES

From spring 2026, Nursery is £45 per session (morning or afternoon) with minimum of four sessions a week. In Kindergarten it’s £43 per session. Lunch is £3 per day. (There is no VAT)

Reception is £5495; Year 1 is £5905; Year 2 is £6925; Year 3 is £7335 and Years 4-6 are £8145 (all fees are VAT inclusive and include lunch for which there is no VAT).

WORD ON THE GROUND

St Hilary’s families are highly invested in the school – and they don’t hesitate to sing its praises. The close-knit community comes up again and again, along with descriptions of a school that feels genuinely nurturing and inclusive.

Parents talk about children being encouraged to try new things, discover their own strengths and develop confidence along the way, with plenty of support and encouragement woven through that process. Welfare, they say, sits firmly at the centre of everything the school does.

There’s also a strong sense that staff go the extra mile to create a vibrant, happy environment where children are known well as individuals and allowed space to thrive.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Most children would thrive here. St Hilary’s will help them find what makes them shine, especially if the child is willing to try new things. If you like your school with a strong sense of community, you’re in the right place. But at the same time, it’s academically strong, which is not an easy combination to pull off.

Not for: If you’re after boarding facilities, this isn’t the prep school for you. It’s also probably not the school for parents seeking a selective hot-housey approach to schooling.

Dare to disagree? The next open day will be Sat 10 Oct, 2026. You can also book a personal tour. Click here.

St Hilary’s School, Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1RZ. Tel: 01483 416551

St Hilary’s Prep School, Godalming

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