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Gayhurst Independant School

Nurturing children to succeed

Small class sizes, subject specialist teaching, broad curriculum, dedicated facilities and extensive grounds provide for outstanding pastoral care and academic excellence.

Contact Us Today

Gayhurst Independent School

Nurturing children to succeed

Small class sizes, subject specialist teaching, broad curriculum, dedicated facilities and extensive grounds provide for outstanding pastoral care and academic excellence.

CONTACT US TODAY

Joining Gayhurst

Every child and parent is unique, so we work with you at your pace, in a way that suits you.

  • Enquire and Visit

    1

    Complete our online tour booking form and pick a day to come and see us. We have several tour slots, every week day with our Senior staff who will be delighted to show you around our school. You can come for a personal tour or attend an Open Event as many times as you like, you will always be very welcome.

  • Taster and Assessment

    2

    Once you have seen the school why not bring your child in for a no-obligation taster morning. If you prefer you can jump straight to assessment stage and have your child take their assessment (years 3-6 only) on the same day. Younger children will spend all their time in the classroom and be observed by our Pre Prep School staff.

  • Offer and Induction

    3

    Once your child has been in to see us, we will make a formal offer, usually within 24 hours. Between accepting a place and joining the school there will be various opportunities to come in to school by way of transition. A formal Induction Day is held at the end of the Summer Term.

  • Enquire and Visit

    1

    Complete our online tour booking form and pick a day to come and see us. We have several tour slots, every week day with our Senior staff who will be delighted to show you around our school. You can come for a personal tour or attend an Open Event as many times as you like, you will always be very welcome.

  • Taster and Assessment

    2

    We invite your child to spend a morning with their year group in class.

  • Offer and Induction

    3

    Once your child has been in to see us, we will make a formal offer, usually within 24 hours. Between accepting a place and joining the school there will be various opportunities to come in to school by way of transition. A formal Induction Day is held at the end of the Summer Term.

Why Gayhurst

Co-educational

A co-educational environment is a true and healthy reflection of the real world.  Co-educational schools better reflect the diversity of our society and thus prepare children better for working alongside and developing relationships with male and female friends. Coeducation teaches girls and boys to have respect for each other from an early age.

Academic excellence

At Gayhurst we pride ourselves on treating all pupils as the unique children they are and never moreso when it comes to 11+ and preparation for secondary transfer. Year on year our 11+ pass rate exceeds 60% which qualifies children for entry to Grammar School. Many families choose Independent Secondary Schools and our specialist teachers work with the children, on an individual basis, to help them navigate their entrance exams and interviews.

Outstanding pastoral care

The wellbeing of children is at the heart of everything we do. We regularly check in with our pupils, and encourage them to check in with themselves, to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings. There are many practices and processes in place to ensure we never loose sight of the importance of happiness and the key role it plays in the lives and education of your children.

What else makes Gayhurst special?

  • Each and every child in our care is seen and treated as an individual.

  • We have subject specialist teaching in years 3 to 6.

  • The wellbeing of your child is our priority.

  • We have an extensive site both indoors and outdoors allowing your child room to grow.

  • We have our own large sports fields and an all weather multi use astro-turf pitch.

  • Our classrooms are modern, colourful and spacious.

FAQ

Nursery has a maximum of 25 children.  In Reception we have a three form entry and usually we have between 16 and 18 children in each class.  These three classes move up into Year 1 and then Year 2.  At Year 3 we add an extra class as we have a large number of applicants at age 7.  Similarly we aim to fill the classes at 18.

Children entering Nursery or Reception are not assessed but places are offered from the waiting list once it has been created the year before they are due to join. Children applying for Years 1 and 2 come in for a morning to be observed.  Formal assessments start at year 3 where the children undertake assessments in Maths and English working 1:1 with a teacher. The assessment takes an hour and is part of a taster morning where your child will join in with a class.

The Nursery has a ration of 1:8. In Reception, Year 1 and 2, each class has its own teacher and a teaching assistant.  Year 3 has a teaching assistant who works across the year.  Year 4 and above are supported where necessary on an individual basis.

Children learn some fun, spoken Spanish in the Pre Prep School from Nursery and this continues more formally in the Prep School.  French teaching begins in Year 3.

Meet our staff!

 
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“I thoroughly enjoy my role as Head of PSHCE promoting inclusion and diversity at Gayhurst; which is an essential factor in incorporating British Values across the school”.

Ruth Lingley Lorenzo, Head of PSHCE

“I have been at the school almost 20 years now and am fortunate enough to be able to teach all children from Nursery to Year 6. I love watching boys and girls enjoying their games or P.E. sessions and developing through the years on the sports field.”

Simon Kearns, Director of Sport

“I love working with the young children;learning is such an exciting adventure for them, and every day is full of new opportunities”

Hilary O’Flanagan, Teaching Assistant

“As a Spanish native speaker myself I can see the full benefit of learning a second language. It’s been a pleasure and a great experience to teach Spanish to kids as young as five and see them enjoying it and making progress hoping they will become good linguists in the future”.

Alexi Soto, Spanish Teacher

“I encourage the children to be curious about the world around them whilst ensuring that Science at Gayhurst is interesting, fun and practical”.

Sally Inshaw, Head of Science

“I have been Finance Manager at Gayhurst School for over 4 years now and I must say that I have enjoyed every minute. Being a family man, I appreciate the values that it promotes – kindness, respect and more than anything else providing an environment where boys and girls learn and grow together”

Stephen Plant, Finance Assistant

“As a new member of staff this year, I have been made to feel very welcome by staff, parents and children. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Gayhurst, it is a fantastic school”. 

Michelle Todd, Reception Teacher

“Being part of the Gayhurst family is amazing – the comradery among the pupils and staff make it such a positive and refreshing place to be. Through teaching geography, we like to encourage the children to be curious and respectful of the world around them. Understanding different cultures, appreciating the opportunities they have and realising how precious our earth and the environment are.”

Gordon Harris, Head of Geography

“I love teaching in the early years as you get to see where children’s learning journeys begins. I really enjoy watching the children progress throughout the school and become independent and confident young people”.

Victoria Ashby, Reception Teacher

“Developing the enrichment opportunities for our pupils both inside and outside of the classroom is something that I am passionate about. Increasing the all-round educational experiences of each child, helping to build well rounded individuals, has been and continues to be a real highlight of my time at Gayhurst.”

Sam Brown, Director of Activities

“There is never a dull moment in our busy office and every day is different which is why I love working here.”

Maria Kay, Admissions

“My role here at Gayhurst is to make Maths fun and accessible for every student”.

Jay Comer, Head of Maths

“I loved Gayhurst School when my son was a pupil here. I continue to love Gayhurst and very much enjoy my role as a Teaching Assistant in Year 2”

Hilary Rouse, Teaching Assistant

“I feel very lucky to be able to introduce the principles of Engineering into Design Technology at Gayhurst. It provides excellent insights and exciting links to an industry that has been at the forefront of our nation for many years.”.

Will Pendered, Head of Design Technology and Engineering

“After 23 years still enjoying the variety of work supporting the teachers and children.  Learning something new every day – it’s like being back at school!”

Sue Harper, School Secretary

“In my role as Assistant Head, Pre Prep School, I am in the fortunate position of being able to watch the children grow in confidence, independence and ability, as they move through the first four years of their education at Gayhurst”.

Helen Williams, Assistant Head Pre Prep School

“Having joined Gayhurst school I’ve found the team and environment to be friendly and encouraging for both children and staff. One of my passions is exploring the outdoors giving the children a variety of opportunities to develop their creativity and social skills to help them gain confidence and independence in their day to day activities and life long learning”.

Jess Merrick, Nursery Assistant

“The Nursery at Gayhurst is such an amazing Year group to have the pleasure to lead. Myself along with my dedicated team provide the foundations of the children’s education, nurturing and helping them grow and develop through the year, as they take the first step on their Gayhurst journey”.

Beth Dibble, Head of Nursery

“I love to see the children’s confidence grow as they learn how to express themselves in another language. Le français, c’est amusant! “.

Sue Wilmott, Head of MFL

“The great thing about learning support at Gayhurst is that it has such a positive image. The children love to come and they see it as a special time. We are very lucky to see children grow in confidence as they travel up through the school”.

Liz Ellis, SENCO
 
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“I thoroughly enjoy my role as Head of PSHCE promoting inclusion and diversity at Gayhurst; which is an essential factor in incorporating British Values across the school”.

Ruth Lingley Lorenzo, Head of PSHCE

“I have been at the school almost 20 years now and am fortunate enough to be able to teach all children from Nursery to Year 6. I love watching boys and girls enjoying their games or P.E. sessions and developing through the years on the sports field.”

Simon Kearns, Director of Sport

“I love working with the young children;learning is such an exciting adventure for them, and every day is full of new opportunities”

Hilary O’Flanagan, Teaching Assistant

“As a Spanish native speaker myself I can see the full benefit of learning a second language. It’s been a pleasure and a great experience to teach Spanish to kids as young as five and see them enjoying it and making progress hoping they will become good linguists in the future”.

Alexi Soto, Spanish Teacher

“I encourage the children to be curious about the world around them whilst ensuring that Science at Gayhurst is interesting, fun and practical”.

Sally Inshaw, Head of Science

“I have been Finance Manager at Gayhurst School for over 4 years now and I must say that I have enjoyed every minute. Being a family man, I appreciate the values that it promotes – kindness, respect and more than anything else providing an environment where boys and girls learn and grow together”

Stephen Plant, Finance Assistant

“As a new member of staff this year, I have been made to feel very welcome by staff, parents and children. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Gayhurst, it is a fantastic school”. 

Michelle Todd, Reception Teacher

“Being part of the Gayhurst family is amazing – the comradery among the pupils and staff make it such a positive and refreshing place to be. Through teaching geography, we like to encourage the children to be curious and respectful of the world around them. Understanding different cultures, appreciating the opportunities they have and realising how precious our earth and the environment are.”

Gordon Harris, Head of Geography

“I love teaching in the early years as you get to see where children’s learning journeys begins. I really enjoy watching the children progress throughout the school and become independent and confident young people”.

Victoria Ashby, Reception Teacher

“Developing the enrichment opportunities for our pupils both inside and outside of the classroom is something that I am passionate about. Increasing the all-round educational experiences of each child, helping to build well rounded individuals, has been and continues to be a real highlight of my time at Gayhurst.”

Sam Brown, Director of Activities

“There is never a dull moment in our busy office and every day is different which is why I love working here.”

Maria Kay, Admissions

“My role here at Gayhurst is to make Maths fun and accessible for every student”.

Jay Comer, Head of Maths

“I loved Gayhurst School when my son was a pupil here. I continue to love Gayhurst and very much enjoy my role as a Teaching Assistant in Year 2”

Hilary Rouse, Teaching Assistant

“I feel very lucky to be able to introduce the principles of Engineering into Design Technology at Gayhurst. It provides excellent insights and exciting links to an industry that has been at the forefront of our nation for many years.”.

Will Pendered, Head of Design Technology and Engineering

“After 23 years still enjoying the variety of work supporting the teachers and children.  Learning something new every day – it’s like being back at school!”

Sue Harper, School Secretary

“In my role as Assistant Head, Pre Prep School, I am in the fortunate position of being able to watch the children grow in confidence, independence and ability, as they move through the first four years of their education at Gayhurst”.

Helen Williams, Assistant Head Pre Prep School

“Having joined Gayhurst school I’ve found the team and environment to be friendly and encouraging for both children and staff. One of my passions is exploring the outdoors giving the children a variety of opportunities to develop their creativity and social skills to help them gain confidence and independence in their day to day activities and life long learning”.

Jess Merrick, Nursery Assistant

“The Nursery at Gayhurst is such an amazing Year group to have the pleasure to lead. Myself along with my dedicated team provide the foundations of the children’s education, nurturing and helping them grow and develop through the year, as they take the first step on their Gayhurst journey”.

Beth Dibble, Head of Nursery

“I love to see the children’s confidence grow as they learn how to express themselves in another language. Le français, c’est amusant! “.

Sue Wilmott, Head of MFL

“The great thing about learning support at Gayhurst is that it has such a positive image. The children love to come and they see it as a special time. We are very lucky to see children grow in confidence as they travel up through the school”.

Liz Ellis, SENCO

Enquire for more information

Make an enquiry

Whether you just want to have a look at our prospectus, talk to us about wrap-around care or have a chat about our admissions process; complete an enquiry form and let us know how you would like to be contacted. We will get straight back to you.

Ask us a question

Visit us

If you are ready to come in and see us then why not book a tour. One of our senior members of staff will show you around and tailor the tour to your circumstances. Let us know if there is anything you particularly want to see and we will make sure we take you in that direction.

Come and see us

Register your child

If  you feel its time to make it official please complete a Registration Form. Your child will then be officially registered to start with us and we will be in touch with next steps. At any time, your child is welcome to come for a taster day to get a feel for a day at Gayhurst.

Register your child

Contact Information

For Staff

Webmail
iSAMs

For Pupils

Espresso

For Parents

Parents’ Portal
Internet Safety

For Visitors

About Gayhurst School
Request a Prospectus
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