South Farnham Primary School

The Good Schools Guide Review of South Farnham Primary School, Farnham, GU9 8DY

Our View

An absolute star in the state system and it stands head and shoulders above many private schools. Academically at the very top of the tables but not at the expense of a really rounded curriculum. 100 per cent of pupils at level 4 and above for KS2 Sats in maths, science, and English. More than 60 per cent level 5.

Class sizes average just over 30 and each one has a full-time classroom assistant. All children are tested on entry to year 3 and given targets accordingly. Teaching style is where possible 'to gather at the master's feet,' with children all sitting on the floor in front of the teacher, returning to their desks to complete the task. Pupils who look as though they might fall short of level 4 are taken out of class to work in 'focus' groups of eight, covering the same work as the rest of the class but at a different pace. 90 pupils on the special needs register and, at the other end of the spectrum, there is provision for the most able pupils.

Yet when parents describe what they like best about the school, this academic excellence appears to be almost taken for granted. Instead parents stress how happy their children are and talk about the 'fantastic' shows. Every child takes some part in the famed Christmas production - 'all the children get tremendous confidence from this,' says the head. A large number of pupils learn a musical instrument, and sport is similarly encouraged with trophies lining the corridors. South Farnham has the Sportsmark Gold award. Two of the female teachers are trained football referees, which encourages an unusually keen interest in football among the girls. High praise also for a thriving and varied range of after-school clubs including sports, pottery, chess and even circus skills.

Facilities above average for a state school. Classrooms are large, bright and airy. Playground mapped into separate areas for football and other sports, leaving room for children who prefer to sit quietly. Children are very visibly valued - there are vases of flowers in their toilets and 150 spare coat pegs so they have room for all their extra bits and pieces. Such touches reinforce the school's belief that you don't improve maths teaching simply by teaching more maths - you have to get other things right so that the whole atmosphere is conducive to learning. Certainly pupils appear confident and happy and are all neatly turned out. 'There is such a warm friendly atmosphere at the school,' said one mother. 'Every child has the opportunity to do their very best - the ethos is that we want to achieve things.'

Staff largely female - five men at the last count - and includes 'leading practitioners'. All are closely monitored, with each teacher watched in action by a superior once a week. Staff training is a priority and the school rents out its training facilities to generate income. Lots of staff promotion both internally and to external posts, which does mean a fair turnover - just one member of staff has been at the school for more than 10 years. Mr Carter and staff are at the school gate morning and night and appear to know most of the parents by name. Easy to get to see a teacher, problems are dealt with promptly. 'The only child I could imagine not thriving here would be a bully,' said one mother.

Expect to be involved. The school asks as many parents as possible to come in and discuss their jobs and give children ideas about possible applications for their skills. Parents are also welcome to join their children for lunch in the canteen.

Said a parent who left the private system in favour of South Farnham, 'my daughter simply cannot get there fast enough in the mornings. You don't need to pay for a private school with this on your doorstep.'

Head

Since 1988, Mr Andrew Carter BEd OBE (late fifties), a National Leader in Education. Married (his wife Mary also teaches at the school) with three grown-up children. Avuncular and urbane, he is intensely proud of the school which one parent described as 'his invention'. Others describe him as 'visionary', 'dynamic' and 'dedicated'. Supportive yet demanding of his staff. 'He simply believes that however well the school is doing, there is a constant need to improve things,' said one parent. His conversation is peppered with literary quotes and commercial references, leaving parents in little doubt that he knows what he's about. In 2001, he featured in a BBC2 TV programme - he exchanged places with a head of a Birmingham school which was at the bottom end of the league tables.

Entrance

Non-selective and greatly oversubscribed. So many families are attracted to the area by the school that its website has a direct link to an estate agent! Seven form entry and usual state criteria apply. In practice, most children come from neighbouring partner infant schools including St Andrews, St Mary's, Frensham St John's, Churt and All Saints, Tilford.

Exit

Most to the local Weydon Comprehensive School in Farnham. About 35 per cent to the private sector - to the impressive big name schools such as Royal Grammar, Guildford High, Tormead and St Catherine's Bramley.

Special Education Needs Survey

SEN Statement

There is a special needs team that support and work alongside the classroom teachers. Additional help is available, when appropriate, from educational psychologists and the other outside support agencies.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Behavioural Difficulties

Genetic and related Disorders

Learning difficulties

Specific learning difficulties

Sensory Impairment

Medical and Related Needs

General Questions

School Features

Curricula

Standard English primary school curriculum

Comments

Be the first to comment on this school.

Please login/register to comment.