St Hilary's School

Our View

A thriving, buzzy, place with a warm and happy atmosphere and very impressive academic achievements for a non-selective school. Founded in 1927 by local worthy Miss Marjorie Hiorns, the school holds its traditions and family values dear, whilst embracing the new. Mrs Bailes aims to nurture a love of learning and for the school experience to be 'an appetiser for life.' Keen to stress the 'pressure off' approach and the school certainly does not come across as a hothouse. Small class sizes – you can see their little brains buzzing with all the stimulation. All classes seemed happy, involved, confident and enjoying their lessons. Pupils take SATs and are geared up slowly but surely for the myriad of entrance exams. A parent says, 'they are eased into school life gently in the lower school but, once they get to the upper school, the brakes are off.' The school follows the National Curriculum, and in the lower school (years 1 and 2) most classes are taught by the class teacher. More specialist teaching from then on. 'Oustanding' Foundation Stage in all areas (see most recent Ofsted Inspection Report).

Excellent SEN provision – a lot of thought and care has gone into it. SEN department carries out an initial detailed assessment in consultation with parents. Mrs Bailes says, 'each year we have one or two pupils with severe problems but the majority of pupils needing SEN support have mild dyslexia or dyspraxia.' Those who need extra help spend time in one-to-one sessions with dedicated teachers in a well-equipped room. Sessions are during normal lesson time, but pupils are not taken out of core subject lessons. 'Children on our SEN register are regularly discussed so that pastoral care and discipline are seen to be fair and a child with poor organisational skills is not punished but encouraged.' SEN pupils are given (cost inclusive) support in the nursery and lower school, and (at additional cost) in the upper school.

Music, drama and dance are particular strengths of the school (scholarships abound to top-flight senior schools) – quite wonderful and inspirational music teacher was getting excellent performances out of the year 5 class (every single pupil sang a solo – perhaps for our benefit – but impressive nevertheless). Also much praised speech and drama teacher. Ex-pupils in the drama genre include Jenny Seagrove and David Farr.

School buildings, a Victorian house with later additions, are atmospheric. 'It's a bit of a rabbit warren,' admits Mrs Bailes. Classrooms are bright and well equipped with interactive whiteboards. Superb ICT suite also enables pupils to carry out research and use the internet, enhancing all-round skills. Music room well equipped (grand piano and keyboards) and enhanced by recent addition of further practice room for drums and musical instrument walk-in store room for pupils. Brand new Hiorns' Centre next to all-weather pitch, allows for wet games, drama, music rehearsals, meetings as well as attractive venue for parents/players watching matches and post-match teas.

Design & Technology is housed in one of the less gorgeous portable style classrooms on site but there are some wonderful and imaginative activities going on in there. Super art studio that looks like Hansel and Gretel's cottage filled to the brim with examples of imaginative art. Art projects link to topics in other lessons – some beautiful knot garden collages made after a visit to Hampton Court. Science lab well laid out. Good sized library.

Small site – part of the reason why boys are off at age 7 to pastures new to let off steam and participate more in competitive sport. The lack of space doesn't detract too much and is the only giveaway that you are in a school almost in central Godalming. 'It would be fantastic if they had their own pool,' said one mum, but this seems to be the only downside for parents. New all-weather courts maximise the space – hockey, netball, tennis can now be played on site throughout the year. Sporting activities are wide ranging and 'very inclusive' so that all can enjoy, regardless of talent and 'there are fixtures for all the teams left right and centre,' says a mum. Head has been instrumental in introducing a wider range of extracurricular clubs and activities including gardening, golf, judo, archery and chess.

Nurturing atmosphere. Mrs Bailes has a communication box in which anonymous messages can be left to alert her to any problems. Any bullying dealt with through class teachers or through 'our lovely matron' – children are encouraged to write down events and talk about them. Exemplary weekly newsletter from Mrs Bailes, well laid out and full of information in an easy to digest format.

St Hilary's has something of a reputation amongst parents at other local schools as being rather prissy and precious, particularly for boys (there are some boys from all-boy families in attendance – parents like the gentle start to formal school life – but boys in the main usually have sisters at the school). Doesn't feel like this to us – our ten year old guides were assertive, jolly, fun, and interesting. Even so, perhaps not the ideal place for a boisterous 5-year-old.

Uniform is a slightly scary combination of brown and yellow ('I was horrified when I first saw it,' says head) but it's very distinctive to say the least. Summer dresses are pretty gingham, with new addition of attractive winter tartan skirts and bright yellow fleeces which add to the maximum bumble bee effect. Boys have the pleasure of wearing brown jumpers and shorts with yellow shirts, also with optional yellow fleece.

Wide catchment of much of south Surrey including Farnham, Haslemere and Cranleigh and villages in between. Introduction of morning transport service in collaboration with Aldro and Prior's Field is very popular with parents and pupils. Parents are generally professionals, many have moved out of London for better quality of life for their children. Old Hilarians (yes, really) are very loyal to the school – there are children and grandchildren of old boys and girls at the school and ex-pupils stay in touch.

Head

Since 1999, Mrs Susan Bailes BA MA PGCE (early fifties). Married to long serving history teacher and archivist at St Paul's Girls' School and has two sons (one went to St Hilary's before she took up post). Has a solid gold pedigree in education – formerly deputy head and head of English at Bute House (where she was 'very, very popular and much lamented' according to one in the know), and prior to that, posts at Durston House, Falkner House and the secondary departments at Guildford High and St Catherine's Bramley. A clued-up, approachable, caring lady, with an extremely realistic approach to education and has a hands-on involvement with the school at all levels, 'I'm not in an ivory tower.' An experienced ISI inspector, she teaches English to years 5 and 6 – she can get to know the girls individually and better advise on senior schools (she maintains very close links with all the local senior schools – 'it's a very important part of the job'). On a lighter note, she is in charge of the school play every summer – she writes it, directs it, and produces it – the whole shebang. 'Mrs Bailes is a major selling point for the school,' says one mother, who has the head summed up in a nutshell.

Entrance

A non-selective school and very popular locally. Best bet for entrance is through the nursery (en passant – nursery is 'fabulous' say all – a well-equipped space with a magical feel – entrance via Winnie the Pooh tree mural in the corridor!). Places do come up later on ('there's always some movement,' says head, due to parents' relocation) and there's another opportunity in year 3 for girls (as the year 2 boys move out). Pupils are invited to spend the day in the appropriate year group, staff assess how they will cope and look at the most recent school report. Scholarships available for girls going into year 3.

Exit

Boys leave at 7 and move on to one of the local boys' day schools – Aldro is popular, then Lanesborough, Cranleigh, St Edmund's. Girls leave at 11 either for one of the Guildford academic powerhouses of Tormead, Guildford High or St Catherine's or more locally to Prior's Field in Godalming. Also a few to Cranleigh, Frensham Heights, St Swithun's, Downe House, Wycombe Abbey and The Royal, Haslemere. 'The girls really couldn't be better prepared for the next school,' says an enthusiastic parent. Academic, art, music drama and dance scholarships recently to Prior's Field, Frensham Heights, Tormead, St Catherine's, The Royal and Feltonfleet – on average ten scholarships a year.