Farlington School

[rosetintedview]

Looking for experiences/opinions please, especially since it went co-ed.

I've heard mixed reviews about exam results but the pastoral care seems great, would love to hear some personal stories!

It's a second or third tier independent school. No real British student boarding, only international. They don't have that all-round boarding ethos that actually really benefits the day students.

Pastoral care okay, academic stuff weak. Girls schools that go coed only do so because they are forced to for numbers. L

It was acquired by a for-profit group Bellevue who in turn are owned by GEMS. GEMS don't have the best reputation worldwide: they cut corners and want to make a profit. Least amount given for most amount of money they can charge.

There are much better schools around where 100% of your fees go on the education. Tbh, I'd steer clear. Pastoral staff can change anyway and if they treat the staff there as poorly as other gems schools do, the good staff will go elsewhere.

@Sunbelievable

It's a second or third tier independent school. No real British student boarding, only international. They don't have that all-round boarding ethos that actually really benefits the day students.

Pastoral care okay, academic stuff weak. Girls schools that go coed only do so because they are forced to for numbers. L

It was acquired by a for-profit group Bellevue who in turn are owned by GEMS. GEMS don't have the best reputation worldwide: they cut corners and want to make a profit. Least amount given for most amount of money they can charge.

There are much better schools around where 100% of your fees go on the education. Tbh, I'd steer clear. Pastoral staff can change anyway and if they treat the staff there as poorly as other gems schools do, the good staff will go elsewhere.

Such a shame you felt the need to write such a disparaging comment about such a lovely school. I have children there and have been completely thrilled with it. Much more so than many friends with children at other independent schools. One of my children has made firm friends with some of the international boarders which has broadened her global outlook enormously. Tremendous pastoral care, no hot-housing, a wonderful family feel and consistently good results. What's not to like? Do you speak from first hand experience?

Such a shame you felt the need to write such a disparaging comment about such a lovely school.

To be fair, had the OP said "I am thinking of spending £125,000 on education from year 7 to year 13, I have heard some mixed reviews about this school but, from Mumsnet, I only want lovely glowing positive reviews", I wouldn't have posted 😁

I think it's GREAT that you have children there and have been completely thrilled with it though. There are clearly very happy parents and happy children, and if that schools suits you and them, that's brilliant! The beauty of mumsnet is that opposing opinions can be expressed. I hope you continue to be happy and your children continue to enjoy all the opportunities they get there.

What's not to like?

This is obviously subjective, but for me personally it's mostly this, with the first point being the main one:

• It's very much a for-profit school
• It had to go co-ed
• No/few British boarders

People can search both the Bellevue group and GEMS if they wish and make up their own mind about how they are run, and the history.

But there is also a main positive about being for-profit and that is it has the financial backing and could ride out Covid etc, and will be able to adapt in the future too I am sure. Lots of schools are vulnerable right now, which is very worrying, but groups of schools are much safer in that regard.

And in this geographical area, there is so much choice. That's a fabulous positive thing and much better for all schools than areas where the market isn't as strong.

I completely agree that the brilliant thing about Mumsnet is that people are absolutely free to express their own opinions and that is wonderful. I completely respect your right to do that. But, the OP did ask for personal stories. Mine is, I speak from personal experience as I am a parent. Is yours? Do you speak from personal experience of the school as the OP wanted? Do you, or have you had children here?

Ah. I am now suspecting you work for them...

If the OP would like to PM me, I am really happy to chat about my personal experiences.

Thank you both for your comments - I very much appreciate both of your views, both valid and informative and I'm grateful for the input!

I’ve heard awful things about this school, including they had no proper timetable in place when school returned in Sept 2022. Sconce is being taught by unqualified staff and resignations are daily.