Business Details
Trusted Nursery and Pre-Prep School in Guildford
Rydes Hill Preparatory School provides exceptional education and pastoral care for children aged 2 to 7, combining academic ambition with a nurturing, family-focused environment. Our dedicated team of highly qualified teachers fosters personal development and academic excellence, ensuring every child feels valued and supported. Through small class sizes and specialist lessons in PE, Music, Forest School, and Art, we cultivate confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.Following our merger with Tormead, we are expanding to become fully co-educational in Years 3 and 4 from 2027. Our ISI-inspected curriculum emphasizes aspirational teaching, character development, and preparation for future academic success, as evidenced by our strong inspection reports and parent testimonials.
Services
Nursery School
Pre-Prep Education
Forest School
Specialist Teaching
Wraparound Care
Highlights and features
- We offer ISI-inspected education with 100% focus on individual child development
- Our specialist teachers deliver tailored forest school and cross-curricular learning
- Small class sizes ensure personalized attention for ages 2-7
- Proven track record preparing children for senior school success
- Award-winning pastoral care with dedicated nursery and pre-prep facilities
Associations and certifications
- ISI Inspection
What people say
Nurturing staff
Excellent preparation for senior school
Confidence building
Specialist teaching
Harmonious community
Services
Nursery School
Our nursery provision for 2-4 year olds combines structured learning with free play in purpose-built facilities. Children engage in forest school activities, music classes, and specialist-led outdoor learning. The curriculum focuses on communication development and early literacy through play-based activities. With two dedicated year groups (Acorns and Oaks), we offer flexible term-time or year-round attendance options.
Pre-Prep Education
Tailored education for Reception to Year 2 pupils with specialist teachers for music, PE, and French. Our topic-based curriculum adapts to individual learning paces while maintaining high academic standards. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, with transition support through our 'Move Up Day' program. ISI inspectors praised our aspirational teaching methods and pupil progress tracking.
Forest School
Qualified instructors lead weekly forest school sessions focusing on nature exploration and risk assessment skills. Children participate in campfire activities, outdoor crafts, and environmental projects. This outdoor curriculum develops resilience and teamwork while complementing classroom learning. The program aligns with our philosophy of holistic child development through experiential education.
Specialist Teaching
Subject specialists deliver music, physical education, French, and art lessons across all age groups. This approach ensures high-quality instruction in core disciplines while allowing class teachers to focus on individual academic progress. Our specialist team collaborates with nursery and pre-prep staff to create cross-curricular learning opportunities.
Wraparound Care
Flexible childcare available from 7:30am to 6:00pm with additional activities beyond standard school hours. Our extended care program includes supervised play, homework support, and seasonal themed activities. The service accommodates working parents' schedules while maintaining continuity with our educational philosophy of nurturing independence.
People
Mrs Faye Messinger
Headmistress
Experienced educational leader with proven track record in early years and primary education. Oversees curriculum development and staff training while maintaining daily engagement with pupils. Champions the school's values of academic ambition and emotional well-being.
Hannah Mansi
Admissions Secretary
Manages admissions process and parent communications with over 15 years experience in independent school administration. Coordinates open days and taster sessions while providing personalized guidance to prospective families.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We accept children from 2 to 7 years old, with separate nursery (Acorns/Oaks) and pre-prep (Reception to Year 2) programs.
Is the school co-educational?
Our nursery and pre-prep remain girls-only until 2027 when we will become co-educational for Years 3 and 4, expanding annually thereafter.
What specialist facilities do you offer?
We provide forest school grounds, specialist music and PE instruction, and cross-curricular learning spaces with access to Tormead's senior school facilities.
How do you support transition to senior schools?
Our curriculum prepares children for 7+ and 11+ entrance exams with personalized guidance, mock assessments, and strong track record of scholarship achievements.
What extracurricular activities are available?
We offer forest school sessions, gymnastics (Mini Movers), parent-child nature groups (Toddler Time), and specialist-led creative workshops throughout the week.
How are parents kept informed about progress?
We use Tapestry digital portfolios for nursery updates and ParentMail for school communications, with termly reports and bi-annual parent consultations included.
