Maltmans Green Prep, Gerrards Cross

[Fretfulmum]

This is our top choice for DD (4yo) and she has a place starting September this year. We are now looking for a house. Is Great Missenden too far to commute? What’s the traffic like at peak times? Where do most DD live? Thanks

Bump

Most live in the Chalfonts, Beaconsfield, Chesham, Amersham, Gerrards X areas, OP.

I've been connected to that school & used to live in Aylesbury so had that commute.

If you're planning on doing drop-off & collection at standard times without using b/fast & after-school clubs, you'll need to allow 10 mins to sit in traffic just to find a car park space within the school carpark!

Gt & Little Missenden to Maltmans used to be manageable; 20 mins out of rush hour but now I'd be allowing 45 mins each way, especially with the HS2 construction roadworks. There's an A road plus village roads.

Gt Missenden to GX is a stretch, as a PP has said, with the HS2 works you're looking at 30 mins minimum, more like 45.

Godstowe would be closer than Maltmans tbh.

Thinking about it, Pipers Corner would also be a good shout as well as Godstowe.

Thanks. We will narrow the search to the Chalfont’s/Gerrards Cross/Amersham areas.
We really liked Godstowe too but we don’t want boarding for secondary so it didn’t seem the best option to pay the higher annual fees as well as no prep for grammars

I haven’t looked at Pipers but will do thanks

Pipers will only be viable really if you choose to live in Gt Missenden.

Thanks @plokijuh. With a dearth of properties on the market and needing to move ASAP it’s quite tricky tying school and housing together.
You don’t know anything about the new homes in Wilton Park in Beaconsfield do you and if it’s a desirable area?

Wilton Park will make access to the M40 very easy if you need it but as it's right on the main roundabout which allows traffic to join from Missenden, B'field Old Town and B'field New Town, the traffic is VERY heavy. You'll hear cars beep horns, emergency vehicles try to get past but be stuck in traffic...drivers get extremely irate; it's a very frustrating junction.

I know roadworks have been done to improve the flow of the traffic but the main issue of the stopping at the roundabout still exists. I've always had a problem with it (25 years).

The location of the development is typical of new builds - in between two existing residential areas. The Old Town is nice with several eateries, antique shops, independent boutiques, whereas the New Town is more modern with stores like Waitrose, S'burys, Boots, SpaceNK. Both within walking distance along (from memory) a 30 & 40mph road.

Wilton Park's also earmarked for a ton of development and the relief road round the back, if they can ever sort out the funding...

What sort of place are you looking for OP?

Thank you. I’m going to have a drive by in the morning this week to have a look. We are looking for a 3 or 4 bed which isn’t too far from Maltmans Green to commute. Not bothered about being close to the station or motorway.

The current homes in Wilton park are refurbished army accommodation, they're not amazing, but you can often get a short let.

Missenden to Gerrards X will be hideous - although the quickest route would be to turn off the A355 towards Seer Green and then right onto Poltkin Lane. I reckon 30 minutes on a good day in rush hour. Traffic is lighter at the moment.

Amersham is quite a drive too. You're better looking at Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter, Seer Green, Jordans, Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield.

Pipers don't prep for 11+ as it's an all through school. .

Thanks everyone. We are concentrating our search a bit closer to Gerrards across and the Chalfont’s now, and also looking at Stoke Poges as it seems close. I’ve looked at Maps at peak times and the traffic seems ok from there. It doesn’t seem as nice an area which is a downside though.

@underneaththeash the Wilton Park homes will be new and they haven’t started selling yet. There are some existing refurbished ones on site but there will be 350 new homes.

The roads around Maltmans get very busy at school run time. The combination of Maltmans and Gayhurst on those tiny lanes means its a bit of a nightmare. Personally I'd avoid anything that requires you to take Bull Lane and get back on to the A40, that bit can take forever. I live 6 miles from Maltmans and it should take 13mins but I was regularly stuck and it took 45/50mins to get back. I only lasted a term before ditching the idea, well that combined with the fact that the school didn't really suit my daughter.

@Fretfulmum there are still planning issue with Wilton park - I wouldn’t get your hopes up (I live nearby - but don’t actually have an objection, we need more homes!)
Journey times at the moment, don’t really reflect usual times and the development will increase congestion further.

@Doublechocolatetiffin that’s really useful info to know. Thank you. I’ve sent you a PM

My daughter is a current student. Happy to answer any questions if you want to message

School gone downhill since Mrs Pardon left. Lots of pressure on girls - emphasis only on the academics. Has lost its way with being an rounder school.

We have not been happy with school for a while. Mrs Walker comes over as empathetic and caring, but it’s superficial. She’s hard nosed and needs a dose of kindness and patience. Very disappointed with new deputy head. Find him arrogant and brash; he doesn’t seem to get primary aged girls.. Understand he came from Wetherby Senior, strange appointment. Staff turnover has been a bone of contention with parents - non-stop since Mrs Walker arrived and even some of her appointments haven’t lasted. A new Head of Maths lasted weeks, a Head of PE only a few terms. And then there’s the loss of the old timers, who we hear were pushed. Not a happy community. 9719D is right. The school has gone downhill since the much loved previous Headmistress, Mrs Pardon left. It’s becoming an academic hothouse. Really needs to improve its pastoral care, but I hear on the grape vine that’s not what Mrs Walker is about. We’re seriously looking to move our girls to Gayhurst. Sad but I would not recommend Maltman’s anymore.

Not direct experience as my DD goes elsewhere, but I've heard from two current parents with girls in different years at Maltmans that there is a lot of unkindness between the girls, even as young as year 2.

Have girls at Maltman's and there is definitely a lot of unkindness, even in Reception. We are looking at Gayhurst and Godstowe as possible moves. Waiting to hear more about new head at Godstowe. Real shame as Maltman's used to be such a lovely school. Post on huge staff turnover is no exaggeration. It's not that Mrs Walker isn't good - she is, but she's not the right fit for Maltman's. She'd be very successful in a London school.

@petanchildren
Where’s the Godstowe head going? She’s not been there that long. My DD was a pupil there. It’s a fantastic school! Never aware of any unpleasantness.

Also, Godstowe won’t crash and burn.

As an update as this thread has been revived, we have moved to Gerrards Cross and my DD has started Maltmans. So far we have been so impressed with it. Although I can’t compare it to what it was like under the previous Head, nor do I know any of the teachers apart from her form teacher. I also don’t know many other parents yet so no idea what the school chatter is amongst them all yet. From what I’ve experienced though, it has exceeded my expectations so far and my DD seems to be very happy. Disappointing to hear about the unkindness though and I wonder if the school are aware and acting on it ?

@TizerorFizz we also loved Godstowe. Have a friends daughter there and heard they are struggling to fill spaces now. Maybe less looking to board in the future? I have no idea