• St Hilary's is ambitious, caring and broad in outlook, and aims to help children develop strong academic habits while staying curious, grounded and happy at school.

• Will suit families seeking a Surrey prep where strong classroom foundations sit alongside genuine warmth, good pastoral care and plenty of all-round opportunity.

Admissions at St Hilary's School are warm, visit led and well suited to families seeking a Godalming prep with a strong all-round education and a notably personable atmosphere. The school should suit parents who value a safe, engaging environment where academic standards matter but do not crowd out happiness, confidence and wider participation.

At prep level the scholarships story is usually as much about future senior-school awards as any internal fee remission, and that is true here too. Families should ask about any current bursary or hardship support and about the school's recent record in helping pupils move on with awards.

The overall picture is friendly, balanced and all-round in tone, with good pastoral visibility and a clear emphasis on helping children flourish rather than simply perform. Parents should still visit because the decisive question is whether the day-to-day feel matches what they want from a prep education.

Assessment at St Hilary's School is regular, carefully communicated and tied to both academic progress and wider development, with enough structure to prepare children well for 11+ and senior-school transition without making tests the whole story. Parents should expect clear monitoring, encouraging feedback and sensible stretch for able pupils.