Highfield School, Maidenhead

[DachsandPup]

Does anyone have recent experience of Highfield Maidenhead? I was thinking about it for my daughter but some of the reviews I've found on the internet say it's gone downhill since the new head took over a couple of years ago... Have just discovered I'm having another DD so now I really need to make a decision on schools!

Rather than rely on hearsay, check it out for yourself and ask any questions directly to the Head, staff and students on Open Mornings. Better still, see if you can have a tour on a 'normal' school day.
If you have specific concerns, just ask! You will get a 'gut feeling' when you visit. Usually reliable

Their very recent inspection would suggest the new Head is doing a good job. Their nursery got excellent in all aspects so worth a look and make your own decision.

Definitely have a look round.

What put me off was the fact that there is no playing field. the small playground is just Tarmac/concrete next to the car park.

The only way to properly assess a school is to go and have a good look around and to talk to the Head and teachers and to see for yourself how happy and well adjusted the pupils are.

My daughter has been in the nursery at Highfield since she was 3 and is moving into reception at Highfield this year. Whilst I had initial reservations about a single sex environment for my daughter at primary stage ,these were immediately dispelled and our decision in choosing Highfield was affirmed. In my opinion it is an exceptional school. The Independent School's Inspection Report says precisely that and is available to read. The Head is extremely approachable , professional and drives the School (with the assistance of a fantastic teaching team) onto continuing excellence in academics, sports , music and life experiences generally. She is forward thinking and just what a school like Highfield needs. My daughter talks about the Head in her every day life in a very positive light.

The girl's are articulate beyond their years, have a love for life and benefit from an active and involved Parent's Association.

The nursery is fantastic, the team are dedicated, caring and nurturing and the girls love it there.

The extra curricular activities on offer allow working parents to provide fully for their child too and there is a breakfast club and after school care which is engaging if required.

The lack of a playing field is compensated for by the School using the excellent local facilities to the full. The School's considerable sporting achievements should dispel any concerns there. There is plenty of outdoor space with tyre play area , climbing wall and for rounders , netball and ball skills.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Highfield and the fantastic team which runs it. They are never too busy to answer questions so book an Open Day and go and see for yourself.

It's an excellent school, both my girls love it there. The teachers are brilliant - really engaging and they really care for the children. The Head is just the sort of person I would want to lead the school, she has a clear direction and is always thinking of ways to improve the school further.

At the weekend it was the school fete and there was a competition to be Head for a day. The girls were desperate to win! I thought this was really good, the Head is strict (but I think a Head should be!) but they all love her. Have a look around, you'll get a feel for whether it's the right school for your daughters.

Re the outside space, they have a garden that they girls use for playing and learning about nature etc and there is a gardening club. They make brilliant use of the local sporting facilities. They swim once a week (they go by coach to a pool 5 mins away), they do athletics at Thames Valley Athletic Centre in Eton every week in the summer and play rounders at Braywick Park. Grenfell Park is on the doorstep and the PE teacher takes them there sometimes.

I'd rather they had this variety than have extensive grounds with all the upkeep involved. I think schools often have to hire their facilities out to generate income and the kids don't necessarily use them as much as you'd think!

Kate Humble used to go there and loved it (I think if you google it an article comes up!). She described it as a rufty-tufty school. When I read that I wholeheartedly agreed. Yes, it's all girls, and yes, it's a town centre school, but the girls are ready for anything. The older ones have recently come back from a week canoeing and outdoorsy activities in Devon. They turn out happy, confident girls who embrace any challenges!

Recent? No. I went there nearly 40 years ago! It was a great school then, happy memories.

Highfield is a fabulous school and we couldn't be happier. My daughter is currently in year one and absolutely loves it, when my daughter recently had chickenpox she was upset about not being able to go to school!

The quality of the teaching is brilliant and I think the results speak for themselves, the girls are well ahead of the curve! Its not just the academic results that interest me though, its ensuring that kindness, respect to others and good friendships are formed from an early age, it's so nice to see an older girl look out for a younger one and all of these attributes are visible at Highfield.

Ms. Lee, the head has done wonders for the school, she is very approachable and the children like her very much indeed. In the last couple of years we have had a new playground area and a fabulous wall climbing area. The outside space shouldn't really be of any concern as the other posts have mentioned the girls certainly don't miss out at all and Mrs Young the P.E teacher is superb, her dedication and determination to ensure that the girls excel in sport is truly amazing.

There are plenty of morning and afternoon clubs for parents that need the after school care, they have very interesting people come in an talk to the girls, last week we had a famous chef come in, on other occasions we have had authors- I have wanted to attend too!

Im not sure when the next open day is but I suggest you give them a ring and make an appointment to see it for yourself. Speak to the girls if you get the opportunity! When I asked my daughter what's the best thing about her school her response was " Having lovely teachers!".

My daughter has been at Highfield for almost 2 years and she adores it - she loves going to school every morning. The staff, including Ms Lee, are brilliant - the tone is truly set at the top. The teachers are caring and considerate and treat the girls as individuals, which helps their personal development.

The girls have a "can do" attitude and this is reflected in what ever they do, be in trekking off to Devon or using local facilities for sports; not having on site facilities does not deter them from doing what they want to do.

I echo what the other parents above have written - give them a call and arrange a visit, I know won't be disappointed.

Both my children go to Highfield, both started at 3 years old in nursery. The nursery teacher is a qualified teacher (she used to teach year 2) and this really shows. The girls (and sibling boys in nursery) are given the opportunity to develop at their own pace, with some reading and writing before reception but without other children feeling the pressure of falling behind. You really do get your money worth. Its a lovely, friendly school and the Head is very well respected and adored by the girls. Go and have a look but the girls advertise the school the best of all!!

PS forgot to say, one of the nicest things about it is that a lot of ex-Highfield mums now either teach there or send their kids there. I'd say that is a very good sign :)

We moved our daughter to Highfield a couple of years ago. I visited the school during a normal school day and also during an open morning. What struck me more than anything was the girls confidence and their ability to easily converse with us. I never knew the previous head so I cannot make a comparison however what I can say is that I have not been disappointed. My daughter is happy , confident and proud to be a Highfield girl and she still says how lucky she is to go there . Don't be put off by the lack of space for outdoor play as they make great use of the local sporting facilities and there is ample room and the car park mentioned is closed during the school day and used by the girls. Go and have a look, meet the girls and ask away !

My daughter is coming to the end of Year 3 at Highfield. She joined in Year 1, just before Christmas, after we moved back from Singapore. It was a new school and new country for my daughter and to see her perform in the Christmas production two weeks later it was as if she had been there for years. This is credit to the ethos of the school, to the teachers and to the girls who have a special sense of caring for and supporting each other that you could only hope for in a school, and it's effortless. The Headmistress has raised the bar to excellence and this is outlined in the recent school inspection report. The school management and leadership is forward thinking and although there are constraints in sports facilities this hasn't stopped the school securing outstanding results at the IAPS sporting events. All in all, a fabulous school!

Does anyone have recent experience of the Nursery at Highfield Preparatory School in Maidenhead?