Can anyone tell me about Maidenhead prep schools for girls?

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DD is at a good primary, but I feel she is being overlooked amongst a class of big personalities. I’d like to move her to an independent school with smaller classes and a more individualised approach for KS2. Hoping for the 11+ and grammar for secondary (largely due to affordability).

Can anyone give me an overview of my options? Esp in terms of reputation and confidence building of pupils. Success in the 11+ and inclusion of preparation for the test are important.

TIA!

Understand exactly your reasons, but you will get much more help if you indicate your area. Prep schools just to 11 may feed onto linked secondary, so they may prepare for that and not the 11plus. Prep schools to 13 will prepare predominantly for common entrance. Prep schools just to 11 in grammar school areas may be more conducive to 11plus prep. Are you thinking of single sex or op-ed, or open to both?

Co-ed not op-ed, sorry

As St Piran's (sp?) recently changed to 3-11 rather then 3-13 I can only imagine they are targeting themselves to the 11+.

Actually in Maidenhead I think it's only Highfield and St Pirans that are stand alone 3-11 preps, so why not just look at both and decide which you like.

Bit more complicated if you can go further afield. Depends if you want bells and whistles- in which case Godstowe or Lambrook.

We live on the border of Berkshire and South Bucks, so we’d be aiming for Sir William Borlaise, Wycombe High etc. Maidenhead by far the most convenient due to work and other child’s nusery, but we could go into Bourne End/Marlow or out towards Henley.

Bells and whistles are always nice! But an individualised approach and a commitment to getting the best out of each child whatever their strengths is most important.

Happy with all girls or co-ed!

rstera do you know if St Pirans and Highfield are generally well thought of? I’ve heard praise and reservations in both cases. I’ve visited both and found them very different, in terms of facilities and general feel.

I went to Highfield, my brothers to St Pirans. But this was ahem, 40 years ago, so completely out of date.

once they are obviously both well established

Bump

In your area I think you need to give serious thought to logistics. The traffic is so bad during the rush hours.

There aren't really any options in Bourne End/ Marlow. Personally I think The Herries is too small (although lovely).

You could look at Rupert House in Henley- but do you really want to cross the A404 in the mornings? It's a nightmare. Likewise with getting south of the M4. You could look at Upton House, but getting into Windsor is not fun either.

If all you want is a local smaller class size, I'd just choose your personal favourite between Highfield and St Pirans.

I used to live in your area and chose Lambrook (although he didn't go there in the end). There is a school bus from Bray. However, I've a DS and that puts a different slant on the choices. I quite liked Eton End PNEU and may well have had that on my list for a DD. Worth a look round if you haven't been.

If you goal is 11+ then you need to find a tutor or course that specialises in this. We have done both state and private. Private schools don’t really do any more tutoring for 11+ grammar places than state schools. They tend to add more value in terms of sport, music, drama and social events. The reality is that children who pass 11+ are scoring comfortably above 121 in CATs tests. Yes bit of practice can add a few points here and there, IF you have the raw intelligence. The key question to any private school headteacher is ‘How can you increase this score?’ And then wait for them to choke on their digestive biscuit as they schmooze you with tea and coffeee in their study.