Thinking of moving to the Surrey area?

 

Perhaps you’re looking into Thakeham’s Manorwood development of striking, spacious, new-build homes in West Horsley.

As a family (or prospective family) looking to settle in the area, we know that one of your top priorities is likely to be finding the best educational opportunities for your children. Thankfully, West Horsley and the surrounding areas are home to several outstanding schools that offer a diverse range of learning experiences. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the schools local to Manorwood and the surrounding area and what they have to offer.

 

 

Nurseries & pre-prep schools

There are plenty of nurseries and pre-preps in and around the West Horsley & Leatherhead area to choose from, each with a unique set of values – but all with a focus on giving children the best start in life.

Footprints Montessori Day Nursery

Years: 0-5 year olds

Type: Montessori

Location: West Horsley, 0.1 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2019 they achieved ‘Outstanding’ status

Website: http://www.footprintsdaynursery.com/

Footprints Montessori Day Nursery prides itself on the relaxed, home-from-home atmosphere they provide. Children begin their learning journeys here through exploration and guided play — with a strong Montessori value-based foundation.

Footprints’ own website makes their priorities clear: “We recognize that the child is unique and a natural learner with their own path of learning that they are bound to follow and will endeavour to guide the child along this path with sensitivity.”

 

Glenesk Pre-Prep & Nursery School

Years: 2-7 year olds

Type: Independent

Location: East Horsley, 0.7 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating/ISI Report: The school has consistently achieved ‘Good’ and above from Ofsted, obtaining ‘Outstanding’ in 2017. Since then, they have been reported on by the Independent Schools Inspectorate..

Website: https://www.gleneskschool.co.uk/

Glenesk School is a pre-prep and nursery school that was founded in 1927 and has been owned by Cognita since 2005. Their ethos can be described as broadly Christian, with respect and appreciation for other faiths.

They place an emphasis on nurturing happy children that want to learn, which is facilitated through small class sizes and a rich curriculum.

Glenesk cites their strong academic focus and pastoral care as the reasons many leavers have left with both academic and sporting scholarships, going on to attend  great schools. 

 

Prep & infant schools

The next crucial step in a child’s educational journey comes in the form of Prep or Infant School. There are a range of these to choose from in the local area, each dedicated to providing a caring and supportive environment where young minds can flourish. Whatever your preferences, there’s something for everyone.

Ripley Court School

Years: 0-11

Type: Independent

Location: Woking, 3.7 miles from Manorwood

ISI report: The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ in 2020

Website: https://www.ripleycourt.co.uk

Ripley Court is a co-educational day prep school set in 19 acres of Surrey countryside. This setting allows for the provision of extensive playing fields, a forest school, and a swimming pool, making this a fantastic environment for children to thrive in.

The school doesn’t just serve as a prep school — they also have a nursery and pre-prep on the campus.

 

Parkside School for Boys

Years: 4-7 year olds

Type: Independent

Location: Cobham, 6.1 miles from Manorwood

ISI report: The Independent Schools Inspectorate commended the school in 2022.

Website: https://www.parkside-school.co.uk/

Set in 45 acres of Surrey countryside on the banks of the River Mole, visiting parents might end up wanting to stay! With a huge amount of outdoor space for children to play and learn in, Parkside boys are encouraged to establish roots and develop their talents in a unique environment.

Founded in 1879, this school goes back a long way and has flourished into a place renowned for nurturing and achievement.

 

St Matthew’s CofE Infant School

Years: 4-7 year olds

Type: Church of England, Academy

Location: Cobham, 3.1 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2020 they achieved ‘Good’ status

Website: http://www.stmatthewsschool.co.uk/

As a Church of England school, St Matthew’s is underpinned by a Christian ethos. They cite their core values as responsibility, friendship, justice, and wisdom, which they break down further here.

Pupils consistently achieve excellent KS1 results and are distinctly excited about learning, says the school. They also offer a range of school clubs – pre and post-school – to keep kids healthy and happy (and lend parents some extra time in the morning or after school!).

 

Primary schools

In the West Horsley & Leatherhead area, primary schools are committed to fostering curiosity and growth in young learners. With engaging curricula and passionate educators, these schools ensure that children develop a strong academic foundation and a love for learning. 

From independent girls and boys schools to academies and SEND schools, there’s a variety to choose from.

 

The Raleigh School

Years: 4-11 year olds

Type: Academy

Location: West Horsley, 0.5 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2017 they achieved ‘Outstanding’ status

Website: https://www.theraleigh.org/

“The Continual Pursuit of Excellence,” is the motto on The Raleigh’s website. As a part of the thriving Effingham Learning Partnership, The Raleigh guides pupils through these formative years, with the majority moving on to the Howard of Effingham School for secondary education.

They also boast a robust wrap-around care offering, with a breakfast club starting at 7:40am and an after school club ending at 5:45pm.

Cranmore Boys School

Years: 2-18 year olds

Type: Independent

Location: West Horsley, 1.6 miles from Manorwood

ISI report: The Independent Schools Inspectorate graded the school ‘Excellent’ in several areas in 2022.

Website: https://cranmore.org/

Cranmore is more than just a primary school. Beyond offering a nursery, prep, and sixth form, Cranmore makes up a strong part of the Effingham Schools Trust. This strategic network aims to provide consistently high-quality education for both girls and boys until they leave for University.

This is “a school that strives for excellence and explodes every child’s potential thanks to inspiring tutors and awesome facilities,” says one review from The Good Schools Guide.

 

Leatherhead Trinity School

Years: 0-11 year olds

Type: Church of England/Methodist, State

Location: Leatherhead, 7.6 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2019, they achieved ‘Good’ status

Website: http://www.leatherheadtrinity.surrey.sch.uk/

The Leatherhead Trinity School cites Christian values as their foundation — with their core values being respect, truth, love, forgiveness, and commitment. They aim to foster a growth mindset culture, to build children’s resilience, and to achieve great academic outcomes for all children.

As well as offering a primary school provision, Leatherhead Trinity School has a nursery on-site for little ones from 0-5 years old.

 

West Hill SEND School

Years: 4-11 year olds

Type: Special Educational Needs & Disability state school

Location: Leatherhead, 8.3 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2023 they achieved ‘Outstanding’ status

Website: https://www.westhillschool.uk/

The West Hill SEND School is an ‘Outstanding’-rated school for primary-aged children with special educational needs and/or learning disabilities – like ADHD, and autism, for example.

Pupils are typically admitted to the school via the Surrey County Council admissions process, at which point their additional needs will be assessed. At West Hill, students are given the space and guidance they need to thrive, with a board of experienced teachers there to encourage and instil a strong learning culture.

 

Secondary schools & sixth forms

If you’re thinking of moving to the West Horsley area, there’s a chance you’re looking a good way into the future. When putting down roots, it’s important to know there’s a great educational pathway your children can follow in the area.

Fortunately, there are plenty of local secondary schools and sixth forms, each offering a wide range of subjects, extracurricular activities, and guidance to help students blossom.

 

St Teresa’s Girls School

Years: 8-18 year olds

Type: Independent Day & Boarding

Location: Effingham, 5.3 miles from Manorwood

ISI report: The Independent Schools Inspectorate passed the school in 2023, finding the quality of education to be ‘Excellent’.

Website: https://st-teresas.com/

From their tennis academy and equestrian centre to their many sports teams, the sports and extracurricular offering at St Teresa’s is excellent. On the academic side of things, the school encourages all students to follow a broad curriculum, from the creative and aesthetic to the mathematical and technological.

Their GCSE pass rate speaks for itself, with a 55.2% 9-7 pass rate and a 72.7% 9-6 pass rate in 2022. After sixth form, many girls go on to Oxbridge universities, as well as art, veterinary, medicinal, and other specialist institutions.

There’s also a prep school at St Teresa’s — so the school in its entirety can see children through from Year 3 to A Levels.

 

Howard of Effingham School

Years: 11-18 year olds

Type: Academy

Location: Effingham, 3.7 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2019 the school was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

Website: https://www.thehoward.org/

This school, who shortens their name to ‘The Howard’, cites their aim as this: ‘Bringing out the Best’. This is no more evident than in the fact that The Howard scored in the top 10% nationally for the Alps Certificate of Outstanding Progress in 2019!

The Howard has a range of GCSE and A-Level courses on offer to suit a variety of intelligences and interests, from economics and politics to textiles and dance.

They keep their core values simple: ambition, inclusion, opportunity. All in all, The Howard aims to create a welcoming environment where students are encouraged and celebrated as individuals.

 

George Abbot School

Years: 11-18 year olds

Type: Academy

Location: Guildford, 6.8 miles from Manorwood

Ofsted rating: In 2019, the school was rated ‘Good’ and the sixth form ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted

Website: https://www.georgeabbot.surrey.sch.uk/

The George Abbot School’s mission statement is ‘Academic excellence within a strong community of equality and respect, where potential and opportunity are realised.’

This forward-thinking academy provides a quality education for around 2000 students. There are excellent on-site facilities like well-equipped science labs, sports, visual, performing arts, and ICT facilities. See an overview of the curriculum here for more information about the options available to students!

 

Universities & colleges

Moving to Leatherhead or West Horsley with a teen? Or perhaps you’re looking ahead even further for your younger child. Luckily, there is a huge variety of options available nearby or slightly further afield in London.

Here are just a few examples and their distance from our Manorwood development:

• Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames (19.6 miles)
• University for the Creative Arts, Epsom (12.7 miles)
• East Surrey College, Redhill (16.9 miles)
• The University of Surrey, Guildford (9.2 miles)

 

Discover Manorwood

The educational opportunities in and around West Horsley are practically endless — there truly is something for everyone, taking into account budget (if any), preference, and needs.

If you’re looking to move to the area, discover our Manorwood development, located at the heart of it all. These homes in semi-rural West Horsley are striking, spacious, and sustainable, with beautiful interior and exterior finishes, PV panels, and electric car charging points.

The train station in neighbouring East Horsley and regular bus routes make the school commute easy for older children, not to mention the fact that you’ll be joining a blossoming community of like-minded families. Read our guide to moving to West Horsley and find out more about Thakeham here! 

 

You can view our Manorwood brochure, see what homes are available, and register your interest here!