Schools in Camberley

[Tididdy]

Hi there
Can anyone help with regards to schools in and around the area. My daughter is starting school next September. I would like to avoid private schools if I can esp before secondary school age, and also take advantage of the good schools in the area. However we visited Prior
Heath Infants recently and I was pretty surprised by the parents that came in. I didn't think I was a snobby person, but clearly I am. I felt pangs of guilt that I would make my daughter go there even though the quality of education is second to none. I don't think it's nice to slate other people for no reason, but I guess I wasn't expecting parents to be rocking up with tattoo sleeves, smoking and speaking like East End barrow boys. Very snobbish, and I wish I didn't feel like this but I do. I can't imagine hanging out with parents like that and I fear that it would hamper my daughter's social interactions therefore. Can anyone advise if this is the demographic for the school? Are there any good private schools in the area?

[inthename]

used to live there, know the area very well. schools in the area very much depend on catchments.
prior heath is one of the most popular, always been good and high achieving, really wouldn't judge by parents, each intake is different.
Depending on where you are actually living will depend on the options, state infants/primary would possibly be Crawley Ridge, more likely Lakeside if you live prior heath side of town
Private options, Lyndhurst (up the road from the Arena) which is small and family owned (uniform is the dark blazer with red piping which you may have seen aroun dtown or further afield Hall Grove (orher side of Bagshot) or Yateley Manor (do coaches from Camberley).
If you really didn't like Prior Heath and want to stay state then you would need to contact Surrey LA to determine what the catchment areas are, but would reiterate wouldn't discount a school simply because of how parents look and talk.

[Tididdy]

Thanks for taking the time to write in detail. That really helps and what you say is very sensible. I guess I just needed some reassurance. Thank you.

[Tididdy]

Incidentally I'm on near to Upper Chobham, so unlikely to get into Crawley Ridge.

[SeriousWispaHabit]

My friends who live in camberley send their children to windlesham infants. V good school with big catchment area as no young families seem to be able to afford to live anywhere that close to the school!

[DeWee]

Do you mean September 2014, or 2015?

If you mean 2014, then you're probably looking at where ever has spaces, which will be The Grove (near the Hospital), Lakeside and the Orchard group. Parents will probably look and sound worse.

If you mean 2015 you'd get into any of the above. You might get into Heather Ridge, depends on the year, probably wouldn't get into Crawley Ridge but worth checking that one, used to have a catchment almost measured in cm, but I know it's less popular now as Ravenscote has come up in the world.

Windlesham infants is a long way out from Camberley, all the way down the A30 past Bagshot/Longacres, if it's where I think it is.

As Inthe says Lyndhurst is the closest, seems a fine little school, although I think it's struggling a bit recently.
Other ones inthe didn't mention are The Marist in Ascot (Catholic, but accepts any) and Hawley Place in Blackwater that's got a new head next term. Both those are girls only and go from nursery up to 16 or 18. (I think Hawley is 16, Marist is 18)

I have known a few Prior Heath parents, and I certainly wouldn't describe them as that. In fact some I'd say were positively snobby Were they parents of current pupils or parents of prospective pupils? because that can make a difference-they may be hoping they'd get in when really they have no chance.