Longacre School

Longacre School is a thriving, co-educational preparatory school for children aged 2 to 11 years set in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Located in the beautiful village of Shamley Green, midway between Guildford and Cranleigh, the school offers a wonderful environment for young children with woods to explore, time to enjoy the fresh air and encouragement to get muddy.

The school buildings comprise the original large 1902 house plus modern, purpose-built classrooms standing in 9 ½ acres of grounds. Facilities include a new dining room, sports hall and Astroturf, sports fields, woodland and outdoor classroom. 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.

The cheerful and purposeful atmosphere at Longacre is apparent as soon as you enter the school. Here, children are valued as individuals and are encouraged to fulfil their potential in every facet of school life. Personal and social development is highly valued, enabling pupils to grow in confidence as they mature.

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.

Academic progress is closely monitored and regularly tested. Small class sizes enable pupils to be taught at an individual level, with increasing subject specialist tuition as children progress through the school. Alongside the core curriculum, Longacre offers a wide range of activities, 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.

Longacre is a community where parents are welcome. The school has a thriving and supportive PTA and parents are kept well informed about school events and their children’s progress through a weekly newsletter, formal and informal meetings and written reports. The Head and staff work closely with parents to ensure that their children are happy, successful and fulfilled.

Children are exceptionally well prepared for 11+ entry to a range of senior schools and Longacre pupils have an excellent track record of achieving their first choice of senior school. In addition, our pupils achieve an array of scholarships including academic, art, music, sport and drama. 

Despite being an all-embracing school, our pupils consistently gain entry to a wide range of prestigious senior schools. We have more than 30 senior schools ‘on our books’, including day and boarding, single-sex and co-ed, large and small, independent and maintained. We believe there’s no such thing as a perfect school, but there certainly are excellent ‘fits’ for children to be able to thrive.

In 2021 pupils went on to 15 top independent schools including The Royal Grammar School, Guildford High, Reigate Grammar, Epsom College, St Catherine’s, Prior’s Field, King Edward’s and St John’s Leatherhead.

To arrange a visit please contact our Registrar, Mrs Lynne Crisp on 01483 893225 or by email [email protected] who will be happy to arrange a tour for you.