Advice on schools in Farnham please!

[Owlaj]

My partner and I have decided to move to Farnham, have found a couple of houses that we like, but are now feeling uncertain and confused about them because the school catchment system adds in a whole new dynamic that we hadn't considered. Our daughter is only 18 months but the time to apply will come around quickly by the time we've bought and moved in.

It seems that south Farnham primary is the place to be. But, the house we like we closer to highfield (which I know is now under the umbrella of south Farnham) and outside the catchment areas of the feeder infants schools into south farnham. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of sending their children to Highfield and can comment on what it is like? And also any experience of getting their child into St Andrew's (which is actually my favourite infant school) in the town centre when outside the catchment area?

Many thanks

Thing is if they're 18 months, things may well have changed drastically by the time your dc is looking at schools.
Up to about 5 years ago we had one school that was the be all and end all with very small admissions area. They got a disastrous Ofsted last year. And the school that people jump through hoops to avoid got a good with outstanding features. Five years ago both schools would have laughed if you'd said that would happen.

Yes, you're right, that does happen. Which schools are you referring to? I thought south farnham has been pretty stable as 'the' school to go to

No schools near there. Just schools near me.

Some schools in Farnham may be slightly better than others but, to be honest, in Farnham you can't go wrong.

Highfield is, as you say, under the umbrella of South Farnham.
St. Andrew's is a lovely small school.
Potters Gate is a good school and it includes Infants and Juniors which is a big bonus if you have more children.

In my opinion, choose any of the above and make sure you end up at Weydon School.

Thank you for your reply, that's very helpful. As it stands, we would be out of the catchment area for Potters Gate and St Andrews, which I know can change, but would limit our options if it doesn't.

Buying a house is always stressful, but add school catchments into the mix and you enter into a whole new world of stress!! And for me, it's not just about securing a good education and happy experience of school for my girl, we're moving to a new area and I'd quite like to meet like-minded people and - just as my 4 yr old will be doing - make some friends!!

All the schools in Farnham are good. St Andrew's has until now been a feeder to South Farnham Juniors but South Farnham have today issued a consultation to remove St Andrew's as a feeder from 2019 and I think most St Andrew's children will now go on to Potters Gate. If schools are that important then maybe try and visit some or drive by at pick up time. Traffic can be a nightmare on some of the school runs so for me being within walking distance was really important when looking at houses/schools. We also liked the more villagey feel lower bourne offered and have made lots of friends all within close walking distance with shops, pubs, village green etc too. Also easy walking distance to station. Good luck with your move!

Check how recent the Ofsteds actually are. For example I know the secondary in Wreccelsham’s Osted is really out of date.
Go by your gut feeling rather than Ofsted.

Thank you so much for all of your replies. The information about st Andrews is really useful, and whilst I knew about Lower Bourne, I had worried that it might be too far from the town centre and therefore a bit quiet for us, but it sounds like it has it's own vibe going on. Walking distance to schools is also really important to me, so I'll perhaps re-visit our search with that in mind. Do you know where children in Lower Bourne who don't get into South Farnham infants go?

If you are within 500m of the infants you should get a place (only once in last decade this happened and that was prior to expansion). If you did miss out, depending which side of Lower Bourne you would get All Saint's Tilford or St Mary's Frensham both of which feed back into South Farnham Juniors. We love it here and yes there is a very friendly vibe and so many young families. Good family friendly pubs, shops etc and the quiet and proximity to woods and open space whilst being so close to station all within walking distance was a real bonus.

As groverider said all the schools in Farnham are good.
If you really want SF, you need to buy in the catchment area (at premium prices) or in the catchment of a feeder school. You can check on the Surrey Council website the furthest distance admitted for the last couple of years.

I have no personal experience with SF but know a few people who didn't want to send their more creative children there. They choose Rowledge and Waverley Abbey instead. I don't know those schools either so can't help you there.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses. I haven't used mumsnet before for advice, but it's been really good to hear your thoughts. We put in an offer on the house we like so will see what happens! Perhaps we'll be neighbours....!