Maltman's Green School vs High March

[Dillydally4]

Help, I am torn between the two! I am looking for dd who is currently 2. We live in Penn so Beaconsfield is 10 min drive away this makes High March ideal. I really wanted High March to be the one but unfortunately I left feeling a little disappointed. I feel it lacks in facilities ie the sports hall/dining hall/theatre are all 1 Hall. Whilst pre Prep is lovely, the prep school classrooms feel like bedrooms in a house - (which they formerly were) rather than a school. The school fees do not reflect the lacking facilities. I also don't like the way the school is split by residential houses in the middle. Maltman's Green School has all the facilities you could wish for. It's a 20 min journey. The fees are the same as HM. If this school was in Beaconsfield I would definitely going for Maltmans. However the longer journey is making me reconsider. Its 10 minutes further than. BEACONSFIELD, is it Worth the extra journey? For context we are hoping to go down the grammar route for secondary. I know Lots of girls go to grammar from both schools.

I guess I am hoping to hear from mums who may have experience of either. School....

Ten minutes more is nothing (but do check it’s definitely 10 minutes at school times - the traffic around MG can be tricky). If it really is 10 mins then honestly I wouldn’t let that be a deciding factor.

MG has the better reputation, although both have similar outcomes at 11. My knowledge is 3-4 years out of date as the children I know who went to both schools have now moved onto secondary school. All were happy with their choice.

But honestly, why would you pay for a private school that you don’t sound that keen on? HM really doesn’t sound “the one” for you.

Lol, thanks for your reply, sometimes it takes a complete stranger talking sense to help you think clearly. It would be nice to get more opinions on both...

Maltman’sGreen gets good results. Headmistress has brought about positive change to the school in the last 2 years. In final 2 years, lots of unhappy parents mind. Many girls not adjusting to Deputy Head Academic and being cautious of him. A stark contrast to many of the other staff. We’ve personally found him supercilious and disparaging. If it wasn’t for this I’d be recommending Maltman’s. School could do with taking action and realising there’s a big problem that’s upsetting many girls. It is underhand and so difficult to go in with a substantive complaint.

No experience of HM but have two girls at MG. Very happy with the school. Great facilities. 85% 11+ pass rate. Good pastoral care. Supportive of dyslexia.

Do ask if you have specific questions.

Have two daughters at MG. Very happy with school. Loved the experience so far. Great extra curricular programme. Good 11 plus results for grammar and independent schools. Lots of scholarships. Excellent pastoral care. Head is wonderful. @Craftycapers one daughter apprehensive and disconcerted with DH, but confident school will be addressing issue.

I’ve attended open days for HM, Maltmans and St Mary’s. HM was my least favourite. There was something off about the atmosphere and clearly no diversity in student selection at all. So don’t overthink it. I agree HM lacks in so many ways. We live in Iver and so now I’m stuck between Maltmans and St Mary’s…

Hi @Dillydally4 I’m in the same position now. I’d been interested to find out what decision you made and how your DD is getting on? Thanks

@SparklyFawn Maybe decided Godstowe was better? You would drive through Beaconsfield from Penn to get to GX. Godstowe is the best school for lots of reasons.

Independent schools tend to have high achieving parents and dc are similar. Obviously high number of pssses in 11 plus follows!

I decided to go with my instincts which was Maltmans! She is yet to start so I can't confirm it is the right choice but from all the interaction so far I am happy. Godstowe - the fees are higher and I believe there is a requirement to board later on. I think it is more for parents who are looking to continue with private for secondary school...

Thanks. Is she starting in reception or prep?

And where are all the High March mums? Maltman Green parents are always singing its praises.

Maybe that says it all

So where are all the parents of white DDs going who live in the GX area then? MG was always the go to school. Personally I think Godstowe is best but depends where you live. 99% ethnic minority seems very very high!

I don't recognise your description of Maltmans @Sh303. School mums can be cliquey - or not - everywhere. I mix with various mums, as individuals. I have never seen arguments, shouting, nor even heard car horns beeping in the car park.

Girls who aren't grammar school material are supported into the right private schools to play to their strengths. (No one goes into a comprehensive school after Maltmans.) One of my DDs failed the test and is thriving in the perfect secondary school for her. The headmistress really helped her secure the place too. My other DD isn't the right fit for grammar school (not academic enough) and, again, the school is great with advice and support (extra lessons, etc.) to really help her into a secondary school to suit. About 80% of the girls who sit the transfer test pass it.

I do agree that the demographics have changed in the school of late. When my eldest was there it was about 50:50 Asian to other girls. It's now 70:30 in my younger DD's year. Interestingly though, the head and I were speaking about this just the other day (in relation to St Helens school in Northwood - where my eldest was offered a place, as it's 99% Asian). She said that Reception and Y1 was becoming more diverse again. I don't really see the girls from those years so I can't support or deny her assertion. It seems like your DD was in the nursery so maybe it's different there, again. Perhaps the demographics change every year. I understand your desire for schools to be truly diverse though - all the children benefit from variety among their peers.

I can't make any observations about food choices as my DDs just ate the 'main' meal and were old enough to choose themselves. As for accidents, again, I've never heard of any and I'm sure the Whatsapp groups would be alive with texts if this was a common thing.

@Sh303 I do not recognise your experience of Maltmans, but I do appreciate everybody has individual and different experiences of schools. Maltmans is not 99% asian, I'd say 50% white children in classes- I know because my DDs attend the school- one in an older class and one in early years. The school has been nothing but supportive for my DDs and caters for all abilities. It is the best decision we made for our DDs. There is pushiness amongst parents, but I think this is to be expected in fee paying schools and not dissimilar to other Prep schools. Parents want value for their hard earned money, and want their children to get the most out of their education.

If your DD is unlikely to pass the 11+, Maltmans will tell you from early on. They will put a process in place to help you achieve the goal of passing a Grammar, or help you find other schools which will work best for your child. I have never heard of a girl being "kicked out" for not being Grammar potential. In my experience, Maltmans help to find the school that best fits your child.

There is often a lot of movement between the Girls Preps- Godstowe, St Marys, Maltmans, High March. That doesnt mean any one of them is bad, it just means some schools are better for certain individuals than others. Thats what open days are for- to assess which school is best for your child. It is very clear from a Maltmans open day, that it is an academic school with traditional discipline, which expects full parental contribution towards the girls success. If a nuturing family environment is top priority, then a big academic focused school like Maltmans wont be right for your child. There have exoduses of children from all the Preps over the years. The most important thing is knowing your own child and finding the right environment for them.

@Dillydally4 best of luck to your DD and hope she settles in quickly !