Farnborough Hill School

[fishpersontwo]

Anyone have a dd at Farnborough Hill School or know any girls who go there?

Am interested for my dd, but am not local so would appreciate some opinions about it's reputation. Wondering if it's a high pressure environment? Thanks!

[fishpersontwo]

bump...

Anyone else with a comment, please?

You can CAT me, if you like.

Thanks.

[BodenGroupie]

Bump for you - I can tell you what it was like when I left in 1978 but I hope it's changed since then!

[dizzyblonde]

My daughter is in the sixth form there and started there at 11. She loves it and has done very well and had a great time. It's not high pressure at all. They do seem to focus on the whole person not just the academic side although that is good too.

[happykatie]

I think it is fantastic, not at all 'high pressured'. From my point of view it is an extremely happy community where the girls have lots of fun (it can be a little eccentric at times!) I really feel that the school does its best to encourage everyone whether it is in sport or drama or music as well as in lessons. HOwever, you might think I'm a little biased as I do teach there! The staff are very caring and supportive towards each other and the girls. It is my first school and I am so happy I never want to leave!

[fishpersontwo]

That's so positive to hear, thanks. Quite attracted to the idea of it being "a little eccentric at times"! Would you care to elaborate?

[dizzyblonde]

Lovely to hear from a teacher there, can't think what you mean by eccentric though the teachers performance at the end of the Christmas Celebration might just qualify!
Sending my daughter there has been the best decision I have made about her education. We chose it becaue our 18 year old babysitter was a pupil there and was a really delightful girl. Confident without being arrogant. There are also a lot of girls who live in tiny houses and whose parents drive old and battered cars like we do.It is one of the most comfortable schools I have ever been to.

[happykatie]

I mean eccentric in the best possible way! There is a fair amount of odd dressing up and impromptu lunch time performances. I think it works because it is all girls so everyone feels very comfortable about being themselves and being a little bit silly at times. That said, I think the girls work really hard to achieve their academic potential as well. I know all the staff their really love teaching their subjects.

[fishpersontwo]

Sounds a lovely place. Dd sitting the entrance exam in January so will be interesting to see what she makes of her day there.

We are a Christian family and wonder if that aspect of the school is very apparent?

Thanks so much for all your replies.

[jujumaman]

Two of my most delightful friends went there (though both left in the sixth form)

This was in the eighties though ... 'tis true now I think about it they are both very eccentric in the nicest possible way

[pointissima]

I left FH in the early eighties and was astonishingly happy there. I think that it went through a patch of very poor management in the late eighties and early nineties with fairly disastrous consequences; but it seems to have re-established its confidence and identity. It has a very mixed (socially, academically, religiously) intake and really does seem to do its best for each child as an individual. The surroundings and history of the place also give it a certain glamour, irresistible to the average eleven year old girl

[charmkin]

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[hellywobs]

I live fairly close by. I think the uniform is awful - good reason not to send a dd there I believe that it's a good school. St Nicholas's in Fleet is a good option to consider as well.

[charmkin]

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[charmkin]

And how hard is the test?

[mummytime]

This is a very old thread. But I don't think Farnborough Hill is one of the more competitive schools. (Several friends daughters have gone there.)

[happybunch]

Hi, I looked around Farnborough Hill last week and was very impressed. Would love to be able to send my daughter there. We are a catholic family and I wondered if anyone knows how difficult the entrance exam is? My daughter is very good at English but probably just above average in maths (she lacks confidence I've been told!) and wondered whether this would go against her in the exam? Does anyone know whether it is worth getting a tutor to prepare her for the exam or is this a waste of time? Any feedback would be appreciated. Many thanks.

[Issy]

It's my understanding that the entrancee test is not very competitive at all. My DDs go to Rydes Hill (Catholic prep school in Guildford) and a lot of the girls there go on to Farnborough Hill. It's widely regarded as a very happy and nurturing school that gets fantastically good results from a fairly non-selective intake.

It's the number one choice for girls from Rydes Hill who want 'more of the same': nurturing, intimate, catholic, gothic architecture and uniform, somewhat eccentric, slightly shabby and with high educational standards.

[happybunch]

Thank you Issy, your feedback has been really helpful. All good!

[anneboleyn36]

Yes, please...

[anneboleyn36]

yes,please