Gayhurst School A GSG School

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2016, Gareth Davies BA PGCE MEd. Previously head of Alleyn Court for eight years, before that deputy head at Rose Hill, Alderley. A proud Welshman, he grew up in the Swansea Valley and was educated in the independent sector, boarding from age 11 at Llandovery College. Studied HR management at the University of Glamorgan but volunteering at his aunt’s primary school brought the epiphany: his vocation was education. Following his PGCE at University of Wales, Aberystwyth he taught (mostly maths) in various prep schools before leadership beckoned and with it an MEd in educational leadership and school improvement at the University of Cambridge.

A genuine, kind man who looks you in the eye and speaks frankly (if rather quickly, which can take a moment to adjust to). Bucks is grammar school country where single-sex education is the norm but head is proud Gayhurst bucks the trend. He says, ‘Education must develop a child’s social skills and character as well as their academic development. Educating girls and boys together makes sense because it’s reflective of society.’ There are individual benefits too. He says, ‘It’s the person that matters. We’ve girls who are more grounded and willing to take risks, who love to play football and want to compete against everyone. We also have more gentle boys who play netball and feel more able to discuss their feelings.’ He adds, ‘When Gayhurst became co-ed in 2008, we were ahead of the curve. More and more schools are now doing the same.’

Parents appreciate his sincere, direct approach and one told us, ‘He really listens and asks questions in the parent forum. Small things that matter.’ Another parent said, ‘He’s created an incredibly strong teaching staff. We don’t have to escalate to him, or often even SLT because issues are dealt with in the first instance.’

Head is excited about the fact school is undergoing major and ambitious works. There will be a new state-of-the-art sports hall, theatre/auditorium with glass frontage, dance studio and foyer. He says, ‘At a time when many schools are pausing development, we’re proud to be striding ahead. It will be incredible.’ Building works well underway and should be finished end of 2024.

A season ticket holder for Swansea City and a committed fan of the Ospreys and Welsh rugby. Lives in Hazlemere, Bucks and is married to Lisa, a nursery nurse (also at Gayhurst) with whom he has three daughters (the youngest is still a pupil at the school). Head can often be seen on school walkaround with his beloved sproodle, Humphrey.

Entrance

Nursery takes a maximum 25 pupils and has reached capacity in recent years. Application involves a 20-minute stay and play away from parents to check children are ready for this stage. Non-selective until year 2 after which there is gentle assessment for a baseline performance. Reception goes to three-form entry with maximum 18 although often fewer in a class with classes mixed up every two years. Genuinely mixed ability although spectrum still above the national average. About 30 per cent girls in the older year groups but more equal balance lower down. Healthy numbers but Gerrards Cross is a transient area, so places come up.

Exit

Pupils scatter for next destinations. Reading Blue Coats is a popular option for the first year since the decision to go co-ed from September 2024. A handful also going to Shiplake (co-ed since 2023). Head puts this down to co-ed working well at Gayhurst. About 40 per cent go to grammar and 60 per cent to indies, including Berkhamsted, John Hampden, Claires Court, Chesham Grammar, Dr Challoner’s, Piper’s Corner, St Mary’s and Thorpe. Also, a consistent feed to Royal Masonic School. Not all who qualify take grammar school place, choosing instead a more nurturing system with smaller classes and better facilities. Sixteen scholarships in 2024 in art, drama, sport and academic. Also, first design, engineering and technology scholarship awarded.

Our view

Founded in 1908 in affluent Gerrards Cross by a Mr and Mrs Taylor and it’s thought Mr Taylor named the school after Mrs Taylor’s favourite Bucks village to convince her to buy the site! The school relocated to nearby Bull Lane in 1930. Set back from the leafy residential road, it’s both tranquil and secure. Sensible rather than showy, the pretty original main building is an extended Georgian-style house which accommodates years 3-6. Surrounding brick blocks host large, warm classrooms and outside play areas for reception, years 1 and 2. There’s a sweet and welcoming library and a little san for bumps, bruises and tooth fairy stickers. Popular wood-clad nursery has its own building with cosy, colourful interior with free flow to the well-equipped play area outside. There’s also a traditional-style wooden garden room, used for LAMDA, as well a history archaeological digging site and science garden. Colourful games are painted on the playground and, at playtime, skipping ropes are popular, as is the putting green golf area. Large and beautifully kept school field lends a more traditional prep feel and sense of space. Also, an all-weather AstroTurf, outdoor classroom, gorgeous woodland, an adventure playground and three further rugby fields. Children out in fresh air as much as possible and there’s a strong emphasis on learning outdoors.

Unlike some schools in the vicinity, Gayhurst not seen as a hothouse. One parent said, ‘The other local school we looked at for our daughter had an intense focus on academia. We felt Gayhurst was more holistic and rounded – if we had a happy, engaged child the rest would follow. And it did!’ A mix of youth and experience, caring teachers are on board with idea that learning needs to be fun, that creativity requires time and space, and that the learning journey is key, not just the result. Flexibility is a Gayhurst cornerstone. A teacher said, ‘If we’re not reaching a child, we try something else.’

We were mightily impressed by the new science and DT labs in the main building. Large, white with ultra-modern facilities and inspirational quotes peppered on the wall. There’s much tech you’d expect to see in a senior school such as laser and 3D printing, as well as robots to program. EdRobot is 20cm high and children program him to dance. The teacher said, ‘If we’re learning coding, I want them to see the fruits of their labour. Otherwise, it feels a bit dry and theoretical.’ We saw an interactive year 4 science lesson where pupils fidgeted with enthusiasm. The teacher told us, ‘Every child is a natural scientist – naturally curious and investigative. My job is to keep it that way.’

In English, it’s exciting new authors. The teacher told us, ‘They’ve all read Roald Dahl, I want to broaden and challenge their reading. We talk things though a lot and revise past learning for confidence and to embed knowledge.’ Maths and English are set from year 4, which caters for acceleration and support. One parent told us, ‘There’s trust but if you felt your child needed more, you could get it. We have the teachers’ emails. Some reply quicker than others.’ Homework is done at school but school share CAT tracking data and how to interpret it. A parent said, ‘Knowing where they are is useful for lots of reasons including next school options.’

Spanish is taught from nursery and French from year 3 when students start to move around the school for specialised lessons. One parent said, ‘This could be overwhelming, particularly for my anxious neurodiverse child. School prepared and supported so he could be confident with new routines.’ Amuse-bouche taster days get year 2 excited about their next stage.

In SEN there’s early assessments and intervention. The SENCo and SEN specialist work closely with all staff and across the school. Small-group work or even one-to-ones where necessary come at no extra cost. Currently, 14 per cent of children are on the SEN register and two have an EHCP.

In drama, larger productions (in years 4 and 6) are often original and praised by parents for ‘senior school quality’. We saw nursery practising The Very Hungry Caterpillar play to tie in with their butterfly and caterpillar topic. Inclusive but more confident children get larger speaking parts.

Nearly half of students learn an instrument and there’s ensembles alongside junior, senior and chamber choirs. High standards at the Musician of the Year competition and families are invited to the final. One parent said, ‘The department is standout. All children feel they can contribute and perform.’ This said, one pupil told us, ‘If you’re not musical it can feel long. There’s a lot of clapping.’

In art, visiting artists inspire and instruct and there’s much experimentation in mediums and style. We admired the large colourful birds hanging from the ceiling, made from bamboo and tissue paper. Textiles units from year 3 and a kiln for ceramics. Year 6 spray-paint their personalised design logo on a mural wall outside. Scholarship lessons are tailored to schools applied to and we enjoyed impressive portfolios.

Pastoral care is a reason many pick the school and we’re told it’s ‘thoughtful non-judgemental and proactive’. Head says school has no official sanctions as reflection and future planning are more effective than punishment. Building self-esteem comes with certificates for resilience and perseverance in even the smallest tasks. One parent laughed, ‘My young child was so pleased with her perseverance award for learning to button her cardigan – it was so lovely.’

While behaviour is good, children can be children – animated, lively but kind. At lunch, an (award-winning) friendly catering team provide decent and popular food in staggered sittings. Younger years have colour-coded trays for dietary requirements to make lives easier and for older years there’s choices including a colourful salad bar, a hot meal option (roast dinner on a Wednesday and fish on Fridays most popular) and sweet treats or fruit. Good food aside, we had one of our favourite lunches with pupils – the gentle ribbing, the sharing of jokes and news resembled a close-knit family. Other pupils wandered over to say hello, which felt special.

Confident and composed, year 6 hone leadership skills with roles of responsibility and look more than ready for senior school. This being Bucks, there’s a flourishing tutoring culture and a parent told us nearly all pupils from year 5 have one to prepare for the 11-plus. Most get into their chosen school and a good smattering of scholarships to boot.

While not known locally for its sporting competitive edge (those wanting a prominent and overstuffed trophy cabinet, look elsewhere), the emphasis is on inclusion and enjoyment. Rugby, football, cricket, athletics, cross-country, hockey and netball all offered. Excellent facilities (and soon to be even better) mean school often hosts locally, most recently in a cross-country meet and an IAPS rugby final. Matches are plentiful and, with A-D teams, everyone gets to play. One parent said, ‘My child would never get into A or even B team, but he loves the matches, the coach, the camaraderie and competition.’ There are sporty pupils who represent county or club outside of school. While some parents lament lack of swimming pool, most recognise the space restrictions which mean it’s not viable. Swimming lessons at Teikyo School for reception to year 6.

Clubs are mostly run by teachers at no extra cost. Alongside the usual sport and arts clubs are construction, cartoon drawing, Italian, make do and mend, Warhammer, short tennis and headmaster’s quiz club. Special weeks of the year where children (and teachers) go off timetable for enrichment are fun and cross-curricular. STEAM week is enjoyed for whizz-pop experiments and practical investigations. One week themed ‘Around the World’ meant each classroom was turned into a different country in a day.

Residentials build up number of nights away from one night in year 3 to four nights in another country (Spain last year, France this time) in year 6. The year 5 trip to Devon is a highlight. Other trips include skiing (with parents and teachers so that all years can go), language and sport tours.

Families now mostly dual income and school has increased wraparound care from 7.25pm to 6.00pm, with activities and breakfast/supper options. Parents include professional elite but also those in trade and enterprise. It’s mainly white British families (14 per cent non-Caucasian) but the vibe is welcoming and inclusive. Mostly local intake but some travel from up to 10-mile radius. Acknowledging confines of residential area, pick-up has ‘much improved’ with attendants, staggered pick up and siblings escorted to cars together.

Money matters

A means-tested 100 per cent bursary for one child in each year from reception to year 6. Small sibling discount on fees and a hardship fund if finances change significantly.

The last word

A co-ed, mixed-ability all-rounder which focuses on the social and personal journey as much as academics. Caring and inspiring staff know each child and what makes them tick. It’s not a pressure pot but a stimulating and nurturing environment where children can breathe and grow. Gayhurst understands happy children learn and they have buckets of fun doing so.

Special Education Needs

We provide learning support, on an individual basis, for children assessed as having specific learning difficulties, including Neurodevelopmental Delay, in both the Junior and Senior Departments.

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