Sussex

<p>I was at Farlington from 1989-1996 &#8211; the hockey then was excellent and we came 2nd at the National Schools Finals at Bisham Abbey. A great achievement for a small school. It&#8217;s a wonderful friendly school where everyone does know each other regardless of age and year group. It appears to me that Farlington has moved nicely with the times and continues to go from strength to strength. I loved it there.</p>


<p>This is fascinating. I was a pupil at Farlington House (as it was called then), in the sixties. It was in decline then, I feel, failing to keep up with educational expectations.</p>
<p>But the school now sounds really lovely. For so many children, a smaller school is where they thrive best &#8211; and of course boys must be included. Though in my day of poor discipline and unruly pupils, boys would have just brought chaos&#8230;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48913" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WHAT?
WHERE?</strong></h2>



<p>Surrounded by 33 acres of parkland and founded in 1896, Farlington has just 261 pupils &#8211; it was previously all girls, but has begun opening its doors to boys. It&#8217;s ranked in the top one per cent of UK schools for value added (a measure of pupil progress from their start point). Farlington is also part of Bellevue Education, a group of 19 schools including Skippers Hill in Mayfield. While the school does offer boarding, the vast majority of pupils are day students.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="573" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48924" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11-300x191.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11-720x458.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11-768x489.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington11-825x525.jpg 825w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FACILITIES</strong></h2>



<p>Like many schools, Farlington has a real mix between the modern and the historic. Mansion House &#8211; home to the girls boarding wing, head teacher&#8217;s office and library &#8211; still retains Jacobean character quirks, like the original cobbled courtyard and clock tower. The prep and pre-prep buildings are more up-to-date with a colourful adventure playground and multi-purpose hall where everyone eats lunch. </p>



<p>Facilities include a drama studio, music building, science labs, an on-site Forest School and newly renovated boys boarding house. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-48914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington2-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SPORT</strong></h2>



<p>All your usual expectations of sporting facilities are covered here &#8211; sports hall, Astroturf, sports pitches, dance hall, courts and an outdoor pool. Hockey and swimming are strong at Farlington, with pupils representing the county in both disciplines. Horse riding is also very popular here and students have raked in the gongs. But it’s not all about trophy chasing. Year 10s complete a Sports Leadership Award, organising a sports festival for Year 2 from several local state schools. Year 11s onwards have a wider choice of sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, golf, yoga, volleyball and pilates. The school ski trip to Italy is a big annual event for Year 7s up to sixth form.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="675" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington3-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACADEMIC RESULTS</h2>



<p>At A-Level, you&#8217;re looking at 68% A*/A and 80% A* to B. Many pupils go on to top universities, including Cambridge, Durham, UCL, St Andrews, Exeter and King&#8217;s College London. At GCSE, last year 90% of pupils achieved 9 to 7 grades. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MUSIC, ART &amp; DRAMA</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="675" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington4-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p>Art is one area where the results really are are astounding, with A-Level pupils consistently gaining As and A*s. GCSE work looks more like A-Level standard. Many pupils have gone on to study at the Royal College of Art and other prestigious institutions.</p>



<p>Music is also a focus, especially among the younger children. From Reception, children are introduced instruments from baby cellos to violins. Lesson uptake is high &#8211; last year 100 per cent of pupils in Year 5 took one-to-one lessons. The Senior school holds termly charity concerts and have unusual music groups including world drumming and ukulele. There’s even a parent and staff choir if you fancy flexing your vocal chords. </p>



<p>Drama takes place in a hidden Harry Potter-style tower that used to be the school chapel, and extra provision for budding actors is provided through Stagecoach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PASTORAL</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p>This is a small school which lends itself to a community feel, and the staff assure me everybody knows everybody. Class sizes are small too, allowing for plenty of one-to-one attention.</p>



<p>Wellbeing is a core part of the curriculum, including a Penn Resilience Programme to foster interpersonal skills throughout the school and weekly visits from a qualified counsellor. There’s certainly a warm, nurturing feel here and one Year 10 pupil said he felt the teachers here really cared. </p>



<p>Forest School sessions run on-site for children from nursery up to Year 2. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="1200" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7-375x500.jpg 375w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington7-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE HEAD </strong></h2>



<p>Head Mr James Passam joined in September 2021 from Seaford College, where he held the position of Deputy and played a major role in the success of the school. </p>



<p>Keen to celebrate Farlington’s unique position as the only co-educational independent through school in the Horsham area, Mr Passam will be focussed on delivering high-quality teaching and learning, as well as outstanding co-curricular provision.</p>



<p>“I have been hugely impressed by the students, staff and parents here and have been struck by the considerable heart the school possesses, and by its warmth and welcome. I am extremely excited about Farlington’s future.”</p>



<p><strong>QUIRKS</strong></p>



<p>Dogs are a nice feature of the school &#8211; the head has a black lab called Darwin. There&#8217;s woodlands onsite, including spectacular displays of bluebells in the spring. </p>



<p>All children from Year 3 upwards are given a Chromebook &#8211; which came in very useful during lockdown.</p>



<p>More unusual academic options include art history at A-Level, a popular choice among pupils, and psychology at GCSE. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FEES</strong></h2>



<p>Reasonable for Sussex. It’s a sliding scale beginning at £1,800 per term for Reception, up to £5,890 for Year 9 onwards. Boarding starts in Year 4 from £7,735 per term , moving up to £9,950 for full boarding from Year 9 onwards. Scholarships include Fine Art, Drama, Music, Sport, Textile Design and Academic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BOARDING
&amp; WRAP AROUND CARE</strong></h2>



<p>Farlington offers full, weekly and flexi boarding from Year 4 upwards. Mansion House is home to the girls boarding wing, with a new boys wing &#8211; Fishponds &#8211; opened in September 2020. Currently 34 pupils board with many from Hong Kong, USA, Sweden, Bulgaria and beyond as well as from the UK.</p>



<p>For Pre-Prep and Prep, there is breakfast club
from 7.30am to 8.00am (extra charge) with free supervision from 8am until
registration. </p>



<p>All pupils up to Year 11 can stay behind to complete extra-curricular activities or prep from 4.30pm &#8211; 5.45pm for no extra charge. If you’re going to be a little later picking them up, they can join dinner and activities until 7pm (extra change).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington9-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WORD ON
THE GROUND</strong></h2>



<p>The small community feel at Farlington is a real selling point, although for some, it can feel a little too small. Parents have praised the school for its response to lockdown and seemed happy with the provision. Nearby all-girl state school Millais is known for its outstanding GCSE results, although it has no sixth form. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="900" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/farlington10-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MUDDY
VERDICT</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Good
for: </strong>An all-rounder with a strong academic focus.
Budding artists will flourish in the excellent Art department. </p>



<p><strong>Not good for: </strong>Those looking for a large bustling, academic hothouse or solely focused on sporting achievement. The Sixth Form is very small, but the school says it&#8217;s growing in numbers, and its first male students were welcomed this September.</p>



<p><strong>Dare to disagree? </strong>Head to on open day, dates <a href="https://www.farlingtonschool.com/1099/visiting-farlington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here. (opens in a new tab)">here.</a></p>



<p><em>Farlington
School, Guildford Rd, Strood Green, Horsham, RH12 3PN. Tel: 01403 282573. </em><a href="https://www.farlingtonschool.com/"><em>farlingtonschool.com</em></a></p>


Farlington School, Horsham

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