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.

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 to move a bit faster you can register your child and we will apply for reports from their current school straight away. All children who have reports requested come in for a taster as part of the admissions process.

  • 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. When children apply for Years 1 to 6, we make contact with their current school and ask them to send over reports. Once these are received we invite the children in for an informal taster session (including lunch for Years 3 to 6).

The Nursery has a ration of 1:8. In Reception, Year 1 and 2, each class has its own teacher and a teaching assistant.  Years 3 to 6 have teaching assistants who work across the year groups.

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

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities which are changed on a termly basis. You can find out more information by clicking here.

Breakfast Club is from 07:30. After-school care is until 17:15 and Supper Club finishes at 18:00

Children are set for English and Maths in Years 4, 5 and 6.

You can see our latest published 11+ results by clicking here.

You can see our latest published list of leaver destinations by clicking here.

Meet our staff!

“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 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

“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

“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 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

“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

“After 24 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

“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

“In my role as Assistant Head, Junior 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 Junior School

“As a former pupil, I love my time as part of the Gayhurst family. The bonds created amongst the staff, pupils and parents is unique and number of events we put on really bring the community together. Technology is just one of the areas where the children flourish, and it is a privilege to watch them grow and develop as they move through the school”.

Ben Stevenson, Year 4 Form Teacher

“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

“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

“It is a privilege to teach a subject that I love. As Head of English at Gayhurst, I am constantly impressed by the creativity, engagement and curiosity of our pupils.”.

Tara Williams, Head of English

“I love being part of the Gayhurst family. It is incredibly rewarding watching the children learn and grow over the course of the year and to witness those ‘light bulb’ moments. Children are naturally curious and often ask questions I haven’t even thought of which means I am learning with them”.

Kim Veldtman, Year 3 Form Teacher

“I joined the Gayhurst family 17 years ago. I only thought I would be here for a few years but have had such fun with all the children and immensely enjoyed helping them along their learning journeys”.

Shona Baker, Teaching Assistant

“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 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

“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

“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 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

“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

“After 24 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

“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

“In my role as Assistant Head, Junior 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 Junior School

“As a former pupil, I love my time as part of the Gayhurst family. The bonds created amongst the staff, pupils and parents is unique and number of events we put on really bring the community together. Technology is just one of the areas where the children flourish, and it is a privilege to watch them grow and develop as they move through the school”.

Ben Stevenson, Year 4 Form Teacher

“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

“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

“It is a privilege to teach a subject that I love. As Head of English at Gayhurst, I am constantly impressed by the creativity, engagement and curiosity of our pupils.”.

Tara Williams, Head of English

“I love being part of the Gayhurst family. It is incredibly rewarding watching the children learn and grow over the course of the year and to witness those ‘light bulb’ moments. Children are naturally curious and often ask questions I haven’t even thought of which means I am learning with them”.

Kim Veldtman, Year 3 Form Teacher

“I joined the Gayhurst family 17 years ago. I only thought I would be here for a few years but have had such fun with all the children and immensely enjoyed helping them along their learning journeys”.

Shona Baker, Teaching Assistant

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.

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.

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.