The Benefits of an Independent Education in the Early Years

Many of us will be familiar with the concept of an independent or private primary school, often known as a ‘preparatory school’ or ‘prep school’, but how exactly do primary-aged children benefit from this kind of school? What is a 'Prep School'? Traditionally, prep schools are independent schools that educate children between the ages of 8 and 13 - before this age, children in the independent sector would traditionally attend a ‘pre-prep’, for pupils aged 4 to 7.  The term ‘preparatory’ describes how the schools prepare children effectively for the next step of their education at a senior school, where they will usually complete GCSEs and A-Levels. Horsham’s only co-educational independent all-through school and nursery, Farlington School caters for pupils from Nursery all the way up to Sixth Form. We are a true through school, educating children from 6 months to 18 years on the same site, and whilst we no longer use the term ‘prep school’, Farlington pupils proudly belong to one of four sections: Little Farlington Nursery (6 months to 4 years); the Lower School (Reception to Year 4); the Middle School (Year 5 to Year 8) or the Senior School (Year 9 to Year 13). The Curriculum at Private Schools Unlike mainstream schools, prep schools and other independent schools are not restricted to following the National Curriculum. This independence gives private schools the freedom and flexibility to deliver a curriculum that not only aligns with their vision and ethos, but can also be tailored to the needs of individual children. Thus, children at independent schools such as Farlington are not subjected to the ‘one size fits all’ approach.  As a member of the Independent Schools Association or ISA, we are required to deliver a broad curriculum at Farlington, where children are taught using the framework of the National Curriculum, but teachers also include extra activities from outside the syllabus to further enrich teaching and learning.  Farlington pupils experience a balanced and wide-ranging curriculum, with careful planning for continuity and progress that takes individual differences into account. The Farlington curriculum is designed to foster an interest beyond the curriculum and, particularly in the Lower School, to develop a love of learning from an early age. Class Sizes Prep schools and other independent schools tend to boast smaller class sizes compared to mainstream primary schools. Children at private schools therefore benefit from more individual time and attention from teachers, who can better assess a child's progress and tailor their learning accordingly. Teachers can also build an in-depth understanding of each child and know the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of each pupil. Smaller class sizes also enable children to build better relationships with their teachers and classmates, which encourages better class cohesion and less disruption. Specialist Teachers Rather than being taught all subjects by a single generalist teacher, primary-aged children attending a private school such as Farlington will enjoy some lessons led by subject specialist teachers. These teachers have substantial expertise and enthusiasm for their respective curriculum area, and can best support pupils of all abilities to reach their potential. Right from Reception, all pupils at Farlington School have subject specialists teaching music, modern languages and sport. Lower School students also enjoy weekly swimming lessons and weekly on-site Forest School sessions with our highly qualified Forest School Leader. Extra-Curricular Opportunities The educational experience at independent schools is enriched by the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities available to pupils from an early age. Farlington offers an extensive extra-curricular provision, incorporating sporting, creative and enrichment options. Our twice-daily activities programme allows every pupil to be involved in an enrichment activity - outdoors or indoors; practical, intellectual or unusual. We offer a range of extra-curricular art, music, dance and drama clubs, and provide a varied and inclusive extra-curricular sports programme. Clubs for the Lower School include Judo, Street Dance, Hockey, Training Orchestra, LEGO Club, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Junior Choir, and Ballet. A wide range of activities and initiatives is a key advantage because it provides children with a truly well-rounded education and a broadened perspective. Pupils are able to discover and nurture new skills and interests, whilst building confidence, responsibility and valuable soft skills. They also develop strong friendships, have fun and improve their wellbeing. Discover the Lower School at Farlington The best way to see how your child could benefit from a Farlington School education is to come and visit us and find out all about the Lower School at Farlington! If your child is due to start his or her educational journey in the next few years, we would be delighted to welcome you to our Nursery & Reception Open Morning on Wednesday 29th April 2026. We will also be holding a Whole School Open Morning on Saturday 9th May 2026. To reserve your place at either of these events, please click here. Alternatively, we would be delighted to offer you a tour of the school and a meeting with our Headmaster, James Passam, on a date that is convenient for you. To book a tour, please contact our Admissions Team on 01403 282573 or by email: admissions@farlingtonschool.com.

Primary School Offer Day: Your Guide to the Next Steps

Thursday 16th April 2026 is primary school offer day, meaning that local councils reveal to parents which state primary school they have been allocated for their child from September 2026. At Farlington, we understand that this day can go one of two ways. It may be filled with joy and excitement, because you know that your child will begin their education at the school you have had your heart set on for months or even years. Or, it could be a day filled with stress and frustration, as you receive the news that your child has not been offered the school place you had been hoping for. Don't panic! You DO have options Starting school for the first time is a huge milestone for both children and parents, and we understand that primary school offer day can be a stressful experience. But it's important to remember that you DO have options.  Here at Farlington, we have put together this guide to make it as easy as possible for you to navigate the state primary school allocation process and secure the school place that is the best for your child.  Step 1: Check your offer email or letter Primary school allocation notifications are usually sent via email, letter or an online portal. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder as well, as sometimes important emails can get filtered out by mistake! Step 2: Read the offer letter carefully When you receive your offer letter, read it carefully to understand which school your child has been allocated. Make a note of any important information, such as the start date and term times. Step 3: Consider your options If you are happy with the school that has been allocated to your child, then congratulations! You can begin the exciting preparations for September (see our useful article, Top 10 Tips for Starting School, for some helpful advice).  However, if you are unhappy with the school that has been allocated to your child, it's important to remain calm and remember that there are still options available to you. Option 1: Appeal the decision If you believe that your child has been unfairly allocated a school place that is not right for you and your family, you can appeal the decision. You will need to prepare a case and evidence for an appeal hearing. The appeal process can be lengthy and there is no guarantee that you will be successful, but it is worth pursuing if you feel strongly that your child has been unfairly treated. Option 2: Join a waiting list Most schools in the state sector will operate a waiting list system, depending on whether there are spaces available. Your child's position on a waiting list will be determined by set criteria. They will move up the list if a child above them is accepted into the school or removed from the list, and they will move down the list if another childs meets more of the admissions criteria. Option 3: Consider an independent school If you are unable to secure a place at a state-funded school that meets your child's needs, you may wish to consider an independent school. Independent schools are not governed by the local authority and have more flexibility in their admissions policies.  Independent schools can offer your child a more personalised learning experience that is based on their individual needs, ensuring that they are happy, thrive and reach their full potential. Children at independent schools benefit from smaller class sizes, which means more attention from their teachers - and children from Reception upwards often enjoy specialist teaching for certain subjects, for example sport, music and foreign languages. Furthermore, at independent schools there is often more emphasis placed upon character development, which can be nurtured through a wider range of extra-curricular activities - at Farlington, our Reception children enjoy weekly swimming lessons, Forest School sessions and dance classes.  Finding the right independent school If you are considering an independent education for your child, we recommend taking the following steps: 1. Do your research Have a look through each school's website, and read through their prospectus online if possible (take a look at our Farlington School Prospectus today). It's also useful to look through online schools’ directories (you’ll find Farlington on lots of online schools’ listings, for example here on schoolguide.co.uk). This will all help you to get a sense of each school's offer, and begin to decide if your child could be happy there. 2. Consider the cost You might not have planned for the financial cost of an independent school, but it may be more affordable than you think. Different independent schools have different price points, so it is important to check and compare fees (you can view our fees here: Fee Information), as well as bursary and scholarship options. As a Bellevue school, we offer an interest-free monthly payment scheme, which can allow for easier budgeting and help make payments more manageable for you. The fees for each term are split into three equal instalments and paid during the first three months of the term. 3. Visit the school There is no better way to get a sense of a school than to see it in person and assess if it is the right place for your child. When you arrange a tour of a school, you will view the classrooms, facilities and grounds, meet some of the teachers and pupils and get a general feel for the school. At Farlington, we offer personalised tours at a time which is most convenient for you, so you don’t have to wait until the next open day.   Talk to our friendly Admissions Team today! If you have been left disappointed by the primary school offer you have received, then please do get in touch with our Admissions Department. We would be more than happy to talk through your situation and discuss your options. Why not book a place at our Nursery and Reception Open Morning on Wednesday 29th April 2026? Find out more here: Visiting Farlington.

🎤 What an incredible week we have had at our KPop Demon Hunters Performing Arts Camp!✨ From learning high-energy dance routines to all of our favourite KPop Demon Hunter songs 💃🕺 to getting creative with daily crafts, it’s been non-stop fun! This afternoon, we’re finishing the week in style by making our very own microphones 🎤 We’ve also loved making the most of the beautiful school grounds - the perfect space to relax, play, and recharge between sessions. 🌿☀️ Want to join the fun? 🌟 Our next Performing Arts Summer Camp, run by our amazing Dance teacher, Mrs Wells, will be held during the summer holidays from 24th - 27th August. 🤩 #FarlingtonSchool #IAmFarlington #KPopDemonHunters #KPopCamp #PerformingArtsCamp #EasterHolidayClub #DanceCreatePerform #SummerCampUK #KPopDance #CreativeKids #viveutvivas

Five unforgettable days in Porto 🇵🇹⚽️ 27 Farlington students, 4 staff, and one incredible football tour, packed with once-in-a-lifetime experiences! From a behind-the-scenes tour of Estádio Do Dragão, to competitive fixtures against Dragon Force teams, and training sessions led by the incredible FC Porto coaches - every moment inspired growth, teamwork, and passion for the game. 💙 Off the pitch, students explored the beautiful city of Porto and nearby beaches, and sampled some delicious Portuguese cuisine. 🍽️✨ We’re incredibly proud to hear our hosts in Portugal describe our students as “respectful,” praising their “great behaviour” and how they “progressed really well” throughout the week. 👏 A joyful, rewarding, and truly memorable tour - one we won’t forget in a hurry! 💙 #iamfarlington #TogetherWeCan #FCPortoDragonForce #viveutvivas #grassrootsfootball #football #porto #footballtour #FarlingtonFootball #FarlingtonSport #FarlingtonOnTour #TeamFarlington #SchoolSport #FootballTour #Porto2026

What an incredible evening we had at our Spring Concert last night!💫 From bands and ensembles to choirs and soloists, our talented performers showcased an amazing range of musical styles. It was very special to come together as a school community, celebrating our shared love of music and the joy it brings. 🎶 Well done to all our performers for representing team Farlington so brilliantly. 💙 The Music Department would like to wish you all a wonderful Easter holiday! 🐣 #iamfarlington #TogetherWeCan #musicforkids #springconcert #boyschoir #stringensemble #chamberchoir #farlingtonrocks #viveutvivas

Our Equestrian Team had a fantastic day on Sunday at Coombelands, competing in the NSEA show, with some brilliant results to celebrate! ✨🐎 It was especially exciting to see Scarlett and Lottie competing for the first time—both achieving excellent results. Lottie placed 7th in the 40cm class with George, while Scarlett secured an impressive 3rd place on Cisco. 👏🏼 In the 50cm class, Zoe and Billy took 1st place, with Daisy and Harry close behind in 2nd. In the 60cm class, Hettie finished 5th on Blue, and Daisy, competing at this height for the first time, completed her round with just 4 faults. Hettie also put in a strong performance in the tricky 70cm class, finishing on 4 faults after a great round.🤩 We are now looking forward to the Farlington Summer Equestrian Show at Coombelands on Sunday 19th April, and hope to see lots of riders, families, and supporters there for what promises to be a lovely day. 🐴🌷 For further information about entries, please email: equestrian@coombelands-stables.com #iamfarlington #wearefarlington #showjumping #equestrianlife #coombelands #equestrian #westsussex #viveutvivas #NSEA #coombelands

Last week, a group of super-talented and hardworking Middle School students put on three incredible, sold-out performances of 'James and the Giant Peach' 🤩 Behind the scenes, the cast were supported by some of our Senior School students, who worked tirelessly backstage to make sure the show went without a hitch 🙌 The cast and crew also put on an extra show on Friday for our Lower School students, who especially loved being showered with cotton wool 'hailstones' 😄 Of course, none of this would have been possible without the leadership of our fantastic Head of Drama & Theatre, Mrs Emma Spires, who says, "I am so proud of this cast and all of their hard work since September. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and are a complete credit to the school. There is some serious talent coming through – Senior School, watch your backs!" We can't wait to see what this talented lot will do next... #wearefarlington #iamfarlington #schooldrama #schoolshow #roalddahl #youngtalent #youngactors #backstagecrew #independentschool #middleschool #seniorschool #horsham #westsussex

🌟 Huge congratulations and the very best of luck to Year 9 Farlington student, Callum, as he makes his West End debut tonight! 🌟 Callum, one of our Drama scholars, is taking to the stage in Kinky Boots the Musical at the iconic London Coliseum in London’s West End, performing alongside 'Strictly' star, Johannes Radebe. 🤩 A key member of our thriving Drama Department, Callum continues to shine at school, and through his Musical Theatre training at PTC Elites. We are incredibly proud to see his hard work and passion leading him to such an exciting opportunity!💫 Wishing you an unforgettable opening night, Callum, break a leg! 🎭✨ #performingartsforkids #iamfarlington #MusicalTheatre #westend #kinkybootsthemusical #TogetherWeCan

Reception to Year 6 pupils welcomed some very special prickly visitors earlier this week - Harry, Henry and Holly the hedgehogs, (alongside their wonderful carer, Graham) from St Francis Animal Care🦔✨ Our pupils loved learning about hedgehog habitats 🌿, the challenges they face, and simple ways we can all help protect British wildlife 🌍💚. Seeing these adorable creatures up close was a real highlight and sparked a lot of curiosity and excitement 🤩 Experiences such as this are a regular part of learning for our Lower and Middle School pupils, giving them hands-on opportunities to explore, discover, and connect with the world beyond the classroom walls🚀📚 #iamfarlington #IndependentSchool #primaryschool #prepschool #eyfs #horsham #westsussex #stemforkids #britishwildlife #hedgehogs #lowerschool #MiddleSchool #TogetherWeCan

🎓 Careers Week at Farlington ✨ This week students from Year 7 and above enjoyed an inspiring Careers Week, organised by our Careers Advisor, Mr Prager. With the theme “Future-Proof Careers”, students attended a series of lunchtime and after-school talks from parents and friends within the Farlington community. 🌍 Speakers represented a fantastic range of careers, including; Actor and Director 🎭, Chief Pharmacist for the NHS Sussex Trust 💊, Professional Violinist for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 🎻, Games Designer 🎮, Air Traffic Controller ✈️, Palliative Care Nurse 🏥, Daily Mail Online Sports Correspondent and Blogger ⚽📰, Corporate Legal Counsel ⚖️, Head of Advertising Technology at podcast company, Acast 🎧, and a Digital Marketer for Green People Beauty 💄📱. Our speakers helped to demystify their different industries, sharing what their roles involve and explaining the different pathways that students could take to follow a similar career. The students were curious, engaged and full of great questions throughout. 💡 We are so grateful to all our speakers for generously giving their time to inspire our students👏🌟 #CareersWeek #FutureProofCareers #FarlingtonSchool #InspiringFutures #iamfarlington #year7 #year8 #year9 #Year10 #year11 #sixthform #independentschool #middleschool #SeniorSchool #thefutureisbright

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Open Morning on Saturday! 🌟 Prospective families enjoyed touring our beautiful grounds, meeting our wonderful staff and students, and sampling a delicious lunch from our catering team. 💖 Our students proudly showcased the wide range of opportunities at Farlington, including; Dance, Music, Sport, Equestrian, and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Visitors also enjoyed seeing Food Tech in action, the progress of the great R2D2 build in DT, our new Fitness Suite, our Wellbeing Centre, and a behind-the-scenes look at our Art Room, Science Labs, Drama Studio and classrooms.🤩 A special thank you to our visitors for the lovely feedback about our fantastic student tour guides — they were all such brilliant ambassadors for Farlington. 👏 Missed it? Our next Open Morning is on Saturday, 9th May. We’d love to see you there! 😊 Limited spaces are available, and registration is via our website: ⭐ https://www.farlingtonschool.com/1099/visiting-farlington #iamfarlington #independentschool #schoolopenday #OpenMorning #viveutvivas #happyfamilies #lowerschool #middleschool #seniorschool #sixthform #independentsixthform #nurserytosixthform #reachingfurthertogether

Lots of smiles at Farlington today as we celebrated World Book Day! Well done to all of our students, from Little Farlington to Sixth Form who made such a big effort dressing up as their favourite characters from their favourite books! 💫