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Longacre School

What says..

Pastoral care is woven intuitively into a Longacre education, where the carrot firmly trumps the stick. Teachers are warm, naturally putting their arms around children as they speak to them. Pupils say they ‘support us and make things fun,’ while parents without exception describe them as nurturing. ‘The focus is firmly on the happiness of the child,’ one told us. Pedagogic philosophy is holistic and we see lively lessons underway across the site. The whole place is a bustling hive of...

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What the school says...

Longacre School is a thriving, co-educational preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 11 years. Set in a beautiful rural location on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Shamley Green, between Guildford and Cranleigh, the school offers a wonderful environment for young children. The school buildings comprise the original large 1902 house plus modern, purpose-built classrooms standing in nine acres of grounds. Facilities include a brand new sports hall and Astroturf, sports fields, woodland and an adventure playground. Longacre has a proud history and the motto of the school’s founder, Ursula Fairfax Cholmeley, ‘A happy heart goes all the way’ is still very much part of the school’s ethos.
At Longacre, we believe that children learn more effectively when they are happy, and that excellent academic results can be achieved without subjecting pupils to hothouse pressure. The fact that our pupils gain a range of scholarships, and that they transfer successfully to their senior school of choice, is evidence that this approach works.
Alongside the core curriculum, Longacre offers a wide range of sporting opportunities, stimulating off-site visits and exciting workshops. There are after school clubs every day, ranging from cooking to judo, and regular masterclasses for able pupils.
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What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since 2018, Matthew Bryan MA (Cantab) MA (Oxon) MSc FRSA (40s). A classicist, he started his career teaching at senior schools including King's College School, Wimbledon before discovering prep schools were ‘much more fulfilling and entertaining’. Longacre is his first headship after stints at Summer Fields, Oxford and Saint Ronan’s, Kent.

Describes himself as professional teacher, learner, meeting holder, storyteller, cheerleader and referee. We see a self-deprecating intellectual with maverick undertones motivated by kindness and humility. His own schooling ran the entire educational gamut from state to Oxbridge, single sex to co-ed, boarding to day schools. The result: a paternal child-centric head who knows every pupil by name and character and truly drives Longacre’s motto, ‘A happy heart goes all the way’. Believes children should remain children for as long as...

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Special Education Needs

Longacre takes a ‘what is essential for one but beneficial for all’ approach to SEN within the classroom, with dyslexia friendly classrooms and teachers recently completing initial training on how to support children with Dyslexia, ADHD and ASD within the mainstream classroom. It is with this ethos in mind that all children in Pre–Prep are given the opportunity to take part in intervention groups that encourage the development of speech and language and social skills. Inclusive and pastoral, Longacre views every child as an individual and encourages parents to get in touch if their child requires moderate additional support to see if accommodations and support can be offered.


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