ABOUT US

The Old Malthouse is proud to be a small school; everyone gets to know everyone else, which makes going to school a lot less daunting and a lot more fun! Parents know each pupil is guaranteed the personal attention and support they need to develop.

A personal and flexible approach extends throughout the school and allows OMH to be equally accommodating to day and boarding pupils. We believe that happiness and security is central to a child’s growing up. Each child is cared for by a Form Tutor who because of our small class-size knows the children particularly well and is there on a day-to-day basis for parents and pupils alike.

We aim for children to come into school smiling and excited about the prospects for the day and return home eager to tell their parents all about it! Such signs of growing confidence, happiness and independence of thought are the marks of our success.

We provide the vital stepping stones for boys and girls aged 3 to 7. Our children are provided with a careful mixture of the traditional and the modern. The three ‘Rs’ are combined with teaching in IT, Music and Drama. Educational visits are also regular features of the curriculum. There’s also a chance to burn off energy with PE every day.

• Small class sizes to ensure individual attention;
• Flexible, part-time places for Pre-Reception children;
• Home cooked lunch provided daily;
• Early Years Education Grant from DCC is available for 3 and 4 year olds;
• School minibus service from local areas every morning;
• Optional after school ‘Tea Club’ until 5pm (to coincide with collection time from main school).

We are committed to providing first class teaching and facilities across the curriculum.

The school day starts with registration and then lessons are timetabled either side of morning and lunchtime breaks when the children are encouraged to play outside whenever possible.

We combine the traditional, Maths, English, Science, French and The Humanities with the additional namely Art, Music, Design, Drama and PHSE. Our computer room is well used for whole class teaching and each classroom has at least one PC or Apple Mac. All computers are networked with filtered secure internet access and e-mail.

For those pupils who need that little extra help to succeed we have Special Needs support in Maths and English. Then there is the unusual……….

We enjoy current affairs and general knowledge quizzes and competitions with the staff taking part as well. Our evening activities, open to all pupils whether they stay overnight or not, are extremely popular and include Stone Carving which is taught by sculptors from the Isle of Purbeck, famous for its wonderful stone.

Although we understand the importance of exams we know that the value of an OMH education cannot be measured so easily. Mutual respect between teachers and children encourages progress.

Our pupils are coached in the skills, principles and safety rules for a wide range of sports. We encourage them to achieve the best for themselves and their team. Teams have matches on Wednesday travelling all over the south west to compete.

We are proud of our sporting record. The school has had great teams and individual sporting success in recent years. As a small school we have to work hard to compete.

We play to win but our teams know how to lose gallantly as well. Every child will represent the school in a team at some point during their time at OMH.