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

@Fretfulmum
That might well be an issue. Apart from WA though, Bucks is very light on day schools for very bright pupils. Godstowe used to have a lot of these. So unless they change to an 11 plus crammer, it’s difficult to know where parents will send DC at 11 for a day school. Boys ditto. Not much choice for day pupils.

Apart of course from the free grammar schools that is

@TizerorFizz exactly that. We ideally want an excellent day independent for secondary for our DD but there simply isn’t one in Bucks. Pipers and St Mary’s don’t really fit that bill. Otherwise Godstowe would have been a serious contender for us. I think it’s going to have to change its vision for the school to continue attracting bright girls.

I'm ex MG & WA so have a historical interest.

The impression I have is that MG preps mainly for 11+ these days, is that right?

Would I also be right in surmising from these conversations that GX parents of bright girls mainly either send them to Grammar or boarding, and thus the independent day schools tend to cater towards the non-grammar end?

Godstowe didn’t send many to the grammars. It’s 3-13. The majority still leave at 13 for boarding. (Or did until recently!). I don’t entirely see the point of paying for Godstowe you want a grammar. You might as well go 11 plus crammer in the first place.

Pipers has DDs who don’t get to grammar but some actively choose it over grammars. Girls’ grammars are bigger than Pipers and people like the smaller school and it’s ethos. However Bucks day schools for the brightest are WA or nothing!

Also Pipers have a junior school and parents like that to avoid the 11 plus. Most parents in Bucks who pay for primary want the grammars. Or want boarding (smaller numbers).

Unkindness and bullying are something our DD is struggling with at Maltman’s. Excellent Deputy who helps with pastoral care, but academic deputy undoes all her good work. Headmistress is approachable but doesn’t realise gravity of problem. We have visits to Pipers and Gayhurst booked in. Any views on either school? Gayhurst more convenient, but Pipers has advantage of a through school.

If you don’t do Pipers, are you confident of grammar? Where do you want at 11 or 13? Godstowe is still the best prep for 13 and gives breathing space. However you need to be clear, and realistic, about 11/13 destination. If DD cannot get to grammar, then what?

shocked at the comments of unkindness and bullying. Surely the school need to step in and proactively manage this? What is being done?

@TizerorFizz if it’s not grammar (we don’t know if this will suit DD or if she will qualify, and we do have some hesitations too), we will move counties to be closer to a day independent.

@2015mum Gayhurst to me felt like a boys school with some girls. There aren’t enough girls to form sports teams of A, B, C etc and there isn’t the breadth of sports on offer for girls. The structure and the ethos of the school still revolves around boys- just our feeling on the open day. Others may have a differing view.

What about St Mary’s?

I think that’s why a girls school is best. Pipers would probably suit you. They can say girls are not suited to move from their junior to senior school but for most it’s seemless. It used to be wash to get there. Now it’s not. The more that go there who could have got to grammar makes it more difficult for others. I think it’s a shame to keep moving for schools. Make a decision and see it through is the way forward.

What time does traffic start mounting up for school picks up bull lane around maltmans green at 5”the end of the day?

Lots of discontent staff with huge turnover. Our dd left in July, having done her 11 plus. We had become very concerned about unkindness and bullying, but knew our time was coming to an end, so decided not to make any fuss. Management varied. We liked Mrs Walker the headmistress, even though she’s academically driven, but not the new male deputy head. Found him dismissive and a smart alek, and not Maltman’s. Traffic terrible from 8.10am and in afternoons, from 3.10pm. One way system in place.
@2015mum hear good things about Pipers. Gayhurst is okay, but Maltman’s do better at 11 plus.Have you thought about High March?

@2015mum Our DD is at High March and we couldn’t be happier. We moved back to the UK last September and the school move was very smooth. We have friends with daughters at Maltman’s. It was a serious contender for us. We thought the head was dynamic and very good and actually better than High March. It was spitefulness amongst the girls at Maltman’s we had heard about that put us off and swung our decision in favour of High March. We have no regrets and hear from friends of high staff turnover and troubles with new deputy at Maltmans’s - @2015mum and @ vetsanddocs -no first hand experience, but Our friends agree with you!

Has anyone got some examples of the unkindness at Maltman’s Green? Is it endemic throughout all years, or limited to specific year groups? We are thinking of sending our DD there for Reception from next September and so keen to get more information to be able to make an informed decision.

@GX2DD I’ve not been to maltmans green yet so can’t comment. But I currently work in an all girls secondary school and there’s is a lot of spitefulness between the girls there too. There’s always been a little bit in all the year groups but recently it’s a lot between all the years. A lot of it could be down to the pandemic where kids find it difficult to socialise with all different kinds of children. No matter how much we teach our kids at home until they are put in that situation they won’t know how to show kindness towards other children that are different to them. 2 years out of the school routine is a long time.

@GX2DD feel free to dm me. The school being described does not tally with our experience thus far.

@Lampshade362 I have sent you a dm. Thanks

I have a daughter at Gayhurst and another due to start. My eldest's year is over a third girls, some years are 50:50 and my youngest's year is due to be heavier on girls than boys I believe. In terms of activities and sports, a huge amount is offered from Netball, Hockey, Dance and Ballet, Gymnastics, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Swimming, Rounders, Cricket and Athletics etc. They definitely field A, B, C teams. After school and break-time club offerings are also vast and varied. There's something for everyone!
My daughter absolutely loves Gayhurst and so do we. It's wonderfully nurturing whilst also offering the academic rigour (via high quality subject specialist teaching), support and differentiation (if appropriate for your child). Every child has the opportunity to find their talent and most importantly, what they enjoy.
With the addition of the brand new sports hall and auditorium (due to be built within the next year), the facilities will match up with the top quality education and pastoral care the school already provides.

Hi everyone,

We have a place at Maltmans in September and wondered if anyone had any more recent experiences they could share? We have just moved to the area and have looked round the school twice and everyone seemed really happy there when we went to visit.

Thank you!
Helen