Primary schools Dair house, St Mary’s Gerard’s Cross, Maltmans Green and Gayhurst - insider advice needed !

[T1ddles]

Hi all

So we are new to the Farnham Common ( Bucks) area and we are in a total mess re what school / pre school to send our daughter too. We also have a son 15 months old ( this may affect advice)

So our 3 year old daughter had a rough start in life , I think she would have been a nervous character anyway but all the poking and prodding in hospital has made her more tentertive. Once she is comfortable she is confident but finds being around other children difficult unless it’s only a few very calm kids. Part of her rare food allergy condition is very sensitive hearing so kids can be too noise and a bit unpredictable with noise if that makes sense therefore she gets overwhelmed easily.

So far due to her allergies we haven’t sent her to any formal education . We have a nanny as I work part time and she is now fine with her although it took an age to settle and even still after 18 month we have a few tears when I leave the house. She goes to lots of groups and activities but leaving the side of the adult with her is still tricky.

The question is which shool do we send her too. We are looking at private to start with due to the small class sizes as I think 30 kids in a class will freak her out .

So having done a bit of reading and seeing some schools I would love others feed back on them

Maltmans green- incredible facilities , but is it too formal and a bit pushy ? Not sure I want her to be pushed , I just need her to enjoy school and learning in general whilst still achieving

Gayhurst - the teachers were lovely but I’m worried it’s a bit boy heavy for a nervous girl

St Mary’s .... haven’t been there yet but heard good things

Dair House - small so does it limit friendship groups . It’s a bit run down

Thanks for the help, I’m probably over thinking it but I’m dreading sending her to school as I know she is going to freak out about being on her own so I’m just trying to get it right .

[underneaththeash]

Malt and is very pushy and formal. The girls actually curtesy to the teachers at the end of the day!

Gayhurst is quite boy heavy still, although the pre-prep is more mixed.

I have a couple of friends with children at St Mary’s and they are very happy with it. Class sizes are small too.

If you’re struggling to choose, i’d say to go with the nearest option when they’re little. They can get very tired in reception and the shorter the journey to get to school the better. You can always move in later years.

[T1ddles]

Thanks for replying . Great point about journey length . It’s going to be a while to her system .

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

Mailman's very pushy. Does not sound the right fit for your daughter at all. it looks good on paper and has fancy facilities but full on
Know ppl that have been very happy at both Dair House and St Mary's.
Both more nurturing.
Have you considered High March in Beaconsfield? Lovely and nurturing with a great atmosphere.
Happy for you to PM me if you want some more specific info

[Zodlebud]

Add Pipers Corner to your list. Girls only but exactly the right sort of atmosphere for your daughter. It’s an all through school so (as long as your daughter meets the required level), there would be no 11+ or change if she still needs that extra pastoral.

Downside is it won’t do 11+ prep for either grammar or independent.

St Mary’s is lovely but the size of the year groups is so small it feels claustrophobic.

[underneaththeash]

I actually woukdn’t recommend high march at all. We escaped High March last year, along with several of DD’s year. 2 left without giving full notice periods, so ended up paying double fees.

Teaching was appalling, DD has massive gaps in her learning, facilities not great, uninspiring extra-curricular and sports, leadership and management poor. They do have a new head starting next academic year, so will be interesting to see if that improves things.

[Mustbetimeforachange]

Don't dismiss the state schools, I hear good things about the one in Farnham Common. I would at least go & see it. Pipers Corner is too far to travel for such a tiny tot.

[Zodlebud]

Pipers would take about 25 minutes from Farnham Common and has a school bus route serving it. Plenty of girls come from that way.

It’s not a tough journey either where you are likely to get stuck in traffic.

Children at the prep my children attend travel up to 45 minutes (and attend breakfast and after school club).

OP may think it’s too far but it is a perfect fit from her description of her daughter. I think it should be her decision to discount it on the basis of distance once she has found out more. I, personally, would travel that little bit further for the right school.

[happybutsnappy]

My daughter is in her final year at Maltman's. She has absolutely loved it. I do not believe it is too formal. She is very laid back, and I honestly do not think she has felt pressure. She has done very well academically, and has really enjoyed her time there. Go and have a look around and see how you feel. The nursery there is fab and the girls start swimming lessons from 3 years old. We looked at Dair House and St Mary's but the peer groups were far too small and didn't allow for friendship break ups. Please feel free to message me with any questions.

[Carrie17]

Hi, just saw your post on here and was wondering what school you chose for your daughter in the end. We are looking at similar schools and have a sensitive daughter. Looking at MG, Gayhurst or High March. I haven’t seen St Mary’s yet.
Thanks

[StinkyStephanie]

@T1ddles

Did you decide which school yet?

I would have suggested Pipers as it’s quite pastoral.
Ditto Maltmans being pushy with set boundaries. One certain TV Sleb that always gets wrongly slated on MN moved her children from here to another one mentioned on this thread!
St. Mary’s I found quite ‘casual’ on the basis if homework wasn’t handed in, there didn’t seem to be any ‘punishment’ for want of a better word.
Gayhurst I’ve not experienced for 9 years now so can’t comment.

[Carrie17]

We haven’t decided yet but are in between Maltmans and High March. We found Gayhurst has much more boys than girls do decided against that one. Not heard of Pipers, will look into it.

Maltmans comes across as nurturing and pastoral from what they said to us, and it has great facilities. But I’ve heard mixed things.

Does anyone know which school is better academically?

[Carrie17]

Which school did you choose? And are you happy

[StinkyStephanie]

Pipers doesn’t score academically high compared to Maltmans. I don’t know anything about HM so am unable to advise.

[T1ddles]

We actually chose St Mary’s in Gerrards Cross as we felt it was the right fit . We have been blown away by it . Academically they have also blown. We actually can’t fault it. They have push our daughter but not in a “pushy” was if that makes sense . We just wish our son could go there as it’s been perfect x