Farringtons, Chistlehurst

[ChalkyC]

Hi - are there any current parents of children at Farringtons School in Chislehurst or anyone who has experience of it? Would love to hear your views/comments, particular re the junior school.... Thanks!

Argh apologies for typo in title!!

Hi. I don't have experience of the Junior school but thought I would add my comments to bump your post! We applied for the senior school last year for our DS and he got a place, however we didn't take it up as he got into grammar school. We thought it was an ok backup as we preferred it to the local state school options and the school bus service was a real bonus. However, when comparing it to other local private schools we were struggling to see where the money was being spent. When we looked around the buildings looked a little messy and worn out with paint peeling off the walls, it all just looked a bit run down. With the other schools the buildings were much brighter and gave a better impression and you could see where the money was being spent.

If you are looking for a DS then I would definately look at Eltham College prep. Our DS went to Merton Court prep (Sidcup) and I would strongly recommend if it is possible for you travel wise. He absolutely thrived and loved school - in my opinion that was worth every penny.

Thanks for the reply - I do know what you mean! Actually I think it's its better in the junior sch than in the senior, and for a prep has q good facilities in terms of space, access to on site swimming pool, use of some of the senior sch facilities for the yr 5 and 6. I wonder whether people do use it as a prep and move on for secondary?

Argh I don't know what to do! Sidcup would be too far I think from us - we are South of Orpington and seem in a bit of a gap for prep schools...and so many of them are full anyway!

If you are looking for independent primaries, have you thought of Merton Court or St Christopher's the Hall? They are the right side of Sidcup for you. No experience of them or Farringtons I'm afraid

Thanks I'll have a look. I'm also looking at Breaside and Bickley Park. I love Russell House in Otford but logistically it would be tricky in terms of drop off/pick up and getting to work. Oh and as we are looking for current yr 1 and pre reception places most schools are full!

I would be very wary of sending a DC to an all through school when having in your mind that you want them to possibly leave at 11. Firstly, we found that generally the schools want to keep the students there until they are 16/18 which means that they do not prepare the children as well for the senior school entrance exams or 11+ papers like the prep schools do where they leave at 11. The preps that finish at 11 are geared up specifically for students to do well in the senior school exams and get them all into the best schools around. If you look at Merton Courts leaving list it is pretty impressive and you can see where there focus is. I am not sure you would get the same from the Farringtons junior school.

There is St Olaves prep in New Eltham if that is commutable for you? No experience of it though and I don't think it is linked to the grammar school at all.

It has no connection with the grammar school but has had pupils come from as far afield as Chatham and Dartford in previous years, so people do commute. It is a really nice school, but AFAIK is full with a waiting list

Yep St Olaves prep is full in both my two's yr groups. I do really like Farringtons Juniors, it has a lovely feel to it but I don't know anyone who has children there, so feel a bit unsure. I think sidcup is just too far and logistically in terms of commute not workable.

It feels such a huge decision!

I've never heard anything negative about Farringtons school, however, it is not a high flying school in the seniors. Its results are ok but not outstanding but I hear the pastoral side of the school is excellent. As you have said, it is great to have access to the senior school facilities whilst in the junior school. I would just be very wary that they will not prepare the children as well as some other prep schools for the 11+ or more competitive senior school entry exams.