High March School (Beaconsfield) vs. Maltmans Green (Gerrards Cross)

[NYRobin]

I am trying to choose between these two schools for my daughter. Are there any parents from these schools who could give any guidance or input?
Many thanks!

My daughter goes to High March. When looking around for schools, I considered both High March and Maltmans, and talked to parents at both. Basically, I think they are both very good schools. The feeling I got from parents is that Maltmans suits a confident girl, whilst High March is very nurturing. I've certainly been impressed with the pastoral care there, and DD has felt happy at High March since her very first taster day. And it had the right feeling for me on our very first look round on an Open Day.

DD is quite a quiet child who needed her confidence building - I might have made a different choice if she was a bolder personality. So the right choice probably depends on what your DD is like. Hope that helps. (FWIW, the Maltmans parents I know are equally happy with their choice!).

Thanks Corriewatcher. I just have a few additional questions. Do you feel that HM has given her individual attention, and tailored the academics to her level? Has it been challenging enough for her? Also do you feel that the lack of outdoor space, compared to Maltmans, has been an issue at all?
Generally, are there any things you dislike about the school, or would like to see changed?
Thanks very much,
Robin

I am exactly in the predicament, stuck between Maltmans and High Marsh. Want my girl to be happy above all and to get the best she results she is capable of. The feedback I have received so far (right or wrong) - is that the academic results are the same but Maltmans has better facilities.
Have you visited both schools yet? Where do you live?

From a number of Maltmans parents that I know, the consensus seems to be that if you have a high flyer they'll shine, if you have a child needing extra attention, fine. Otherwise girls can be lost in the middle.

Have heard good things about HM, know lots of families there. Site a little cramped but lots of attention for every girl.

Have you looked at Godstowe?

Thanks weblette. The question is you never know whether your daughter will be a high flyer unless they are in the school itself. The thought of her being average because the high fliers are having all the attention, kind of makes my stomach turn. I like what you say about High Marsh - attention will give a child the love of learning. One of the reasons we're going the private are the smaller classes.

I haven't looked at Godstowe purely from a logistics point of view. We live in Gerrards Cross and are having a similar battle deciding between Gayhurst and The Beacon for our son!

Sorry Robin - I didn't see your later post until now. Yes, I'm perfectly happy with the academic side of things at HM and with the amount of atttention DD has received. As Lucky says, I think academic results are quite similar between the two schools.

On the facilities side of things, there's no denying that the HM grounds are more cramped (althought the pool is very nice and new). However, they still do a lot of sport. DD isn't particularly sporty, so what I liked was the emphasis on inclusivity. Eg if a child goes regularly to netball training, they are guaranteed at least one match against another school even if they are not the best player in the world. TBH I'm not too fussed if DD doesn't become an Olympic athlete, I just want her to enjoy playing sport and feel the benefits of being part of a team.

Well I would have to be biased on the boys' front as two of mine are at the Beacon and love it! (And there's the bus to make drop off easier)

We're CSG and dd actually went to Heatherton as it was the right place for her, not for everyone though.

I do take Corrie's point about the sport, if you're not in the squad at MG you won't get a game. HM seems far more inclusive on that front. Interestingly the boys' schools all now have a 'Sport For All' policy so boys will always get to be in a team no matter what level they are.

Thanks CorrieWatcher. I'm definitely leaning towards High March - everyone I speak to comments on it being very friendly, warm, and nurturing - Maltmans strikes me as a bit more pushy/hothousy. Yes the facilities might be better, but I'd rather she was doing well in classes and happy, and anyway, grounds at High March are bound to be bigger and better than anything in London!

I think I am more heading towards High Marsh as well despite the longer journey...NYRobin - where do you live? How old are your boys Weblette? I am on the waiting list at The Beacon (and Gayhurst) for my son so fingers crossed for entry.

weblette, can I pick your brains on Heatherton as well? You did say it's not for everyone. What sort of person is it for. We've talked about Maltmans and HM, but where does Heatherton sit in that mix. (Thanks so much for your candid view, really helpful)

No worries! Boys are in Yr3 and 5 plus have a 4 yo who'll join at Yr3. It's working brilliantly for both of them, one's academic the other's in the middle but very well looked after.

Heatherton was great at getting dd's confidence back after a hideous time at a state primary. Teaching can be excellent and it's very nurturing but it can suffer a little from being so small - if there are personality clashes there's nowhere to hide! They do challenge the more able girls too.

One thing to bear in mind, HH is now part of the Berkhamsted group so sports lessons are sometimes over there - a factor if you're coming from GX.

Have you looked St Mary's yet? Hearing some very good things about it under the new head...

Again, thanks for your opinions, really helpful and welcome! Do you know what? I haven't remotely been interested in looking at St Mary's. I have heard they soft peddle at the 11+ but I can't believe that's true. I am glad you have heard good things as I haven't. I'll look into them as well. Why not thoroughly confuse myself?! Doesn't take much :-)

Hi LiL-
We live in London now but are planning a move to Beaconsfield in the spring/summer. I also just found out that exam results were better at HM than Maltmans this year, which just clinched my decision!

NYRobin: I am also thinking that it'll be HM. Will your daughter be starting at nursery, reception or somewhere else?

She'll be starting nursery. We accepted last week and I'm very happy with my decision so far, they've been very warm!

I have been watching this conversation with interest. I haven't got children as HM or MG - but the impression given/thoughts from different friends who have children at both is that MG is much more driven/academic - HM more holistic/well rounded?

I am interested in views on boys schools - we are veering towards Kingscote for pre-prep and then Beacon or Caldicott - any thoughts/experiences or views on these?

"at" HM or MG ....

Hi Tregony. This is only what I have heard, so just passing on. Kingscote - I personally haven't heard much about it, I know it has been slammed in the past for the OTT discipline but apparently that has changed during the last couple of years. However the Beacon - I have only heard VERY positive things about. No negatives at all. Caldicott - I have a close friend who moved her son from Gayhurst to Caldicott and is very impressed. Her son loves it as well. Personally, I couldn't have my son board but that's just me. You might want to start a new thread on these schools, to get other opinions.

I realise I am very late on this, so forgive me, however I feel I really must put my opinion across on this.
I moved my daughter from Maltmans to High March just over a year ago and have no regrets whatsoever. We never actually looked at High March to start off with and were impressed and overwhelmed by the facilities of Maltmans BIG MISTAKE! My daughter hated it there, in truth. If what you're looking for is quite a rigid school then it's perfect. I prefer the gentle approach of HM however and my daughter couldn't be happier. They were so warm and welcoming and the staff only have the childrens best interests at heart. I shan't go into details over Maltmans, just please trust me on this!

Hi there CLB80, I will not ask the details but they must have been bad so I am sorry for that. Are you able to answer why your daughter hated it so much in terms of its rigidness?

Hi there CLB80, I will not ask the details but they must have been bad so I am sorry for that. Are you able to answer why your daughter hated it so much in terms of its rigidness?

Hi I?m new to mumsnet and am looking at putting my little girl into High March Lower Nursery she would be starting in 2015!! Just wondering if anyone has children the same age/considering this school?? So she could socialize and make friends maybe meet for play dates. Thanks

Delighted to see such good feedback for HM, as that is where my daughter will be attending, but not for a few years yet. My son is starting at Davenies in September, can't see why mum's net gives the school such a hard time. We are a 'normal' family from Penn and have been waiting since he was 2, and only a few weeks ago got offered the last place for Reception in September - certainly a popular school....

DS2 is also starting davenies in september, DS1 started in June this year and so far I think the school is amazing. Lots of mums from Penn too.
Both boys were also down for The Beacon as well, but Davienies suited a lot better.
I'm not sure about HM either.....wasn't sure about maltmans too, so we'll see for DD.

I stumbled across this thread and thought I'd add my tuppence. I work as a babysitter and many of the girls I look after go to HM or MG. I find the girls from HM are much better behaved. They are far friendlier and seem to hold more enthusiasm for life. The MG girls always push the boundaries more and are just a lot more lippy. I have friends with girls at HM who are very happy. I sit for some fabulous Beacon boys too; impecable manners. I went to Crown House, which seems to be flourishing under the new head. I know a number of CH parents who seem very happy. I also know people who have moved their girls from Godstowe to CH and been very happy. Good luck with your choices.