LOWER SCHOOL LIFE
Classes in our Lower School are calm, purposeful and supportive, and individual successes are keenly celebrated. We encourage each child to achieve their personal best and discover their strengths in different aspects of school life, especially those that are more challenging.
Pupils and teachers approach life positively, finding interest and enjoyment within lessons; learning in the outdoors is highly valued. We encourage initiative and healthy competition enabling pupils to resolve disputes for themselves, perform with confidence and help one another.
Of course, what your son or daughter learns in the classroom is just part of their Farlington education - school life at this age is about so much more, and so every pupil will be given plenty of opportunity to participate in a myriad of activities.
Opportunities exist for all on the sports field, in the music rooms and on stage. We also have 'Forest School' status, and all children have access to the area throughout the year.
The range of clubs and activities is endless and all staff contribute to the extra-curricular programme so that there is plenty of choice for each pupil.
TIMINGS OF THE SCHOOL DAY
| Early Birds Club | 8.00am-8.25am | For students in Reception to Year 4 |
| Registration | 8.25am-8.45am | There may be an assembly here |
| Lesson 1 | 8.45am-9.30am | |
| Lesson 2 | 9.30am-10.15am | |
| Lesson 3 | 10.35am-11.20am | |
| Lesson 4 | 11.20am-12.05pm | |
| Lesson 5a or Lunch | 12.05pm-12.50pm | Younger students go to lunch first |
| Lesson 5b or Lunch | 12.50pm-1.35pm | |
| Activity Time | 1.35pm-2.05pm | For all students |
| Lesson 6 | 2.05pm-2.50pm | |
| Lesson 7 | 2.50pm-3.35pm | Reception to Year 2 finish lessons here |
| Lesson 8 | 3.35pm-4.20pm | Years 3 to 13 finish lessons here |
| Deregistration | 4.20pm-4.30pm | Students may leave after this if they wish |
| Tea | 4.30pm-4.45pm | Optional if staying for activities |
| Afternoon Activities | 4.45pm-5.30pm | Optional |
| Buses leave | 5.35pm |
Please note that Lesson 5b and Activity Time will usually be the other way around for Lower School students, as they will be the first to eat lunch and will need some playtime afterwards.
LOWER SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
There is a wide range of clubs and activities that are organised and run by staff from the Lower School, Middle School and Senior School, as well as outside providers. These are advertised at the beginning of each term. Pupils may have the opportunity for taster sessions during the first full week of term after which they sign up to join the activity for the remainder of the term.
Music and drama play an important part in the life of the school and parents are invited to attend a range of events during the year including the Nativity, assemblies, musical concerts, Christingle and the annual Lower School Production.
The majority of Lower School pupils participate in one of our choirs and many play at least one musical instrument.
Individual and Group Speech and Drama lessons are available, with a focus on the LAMDA examinations.
For those children for whom sport is an important part of school life, participation in clubs is encouraged and matches against other schools start in Year 3. A healthy attitude towards competitive sport is promoted, where learning to lose is as important as learning to win.
Many of our pupils go on to participate in their chosen sport at county and even national level.
Here are just a few of the extra-curricular clubs that we offer:
- Art
- Ballet
- Chess
- Computing
- Cookery
- Fencing
- Judo
- Lego
- Netball
- Rounders
- STEM
- Street Dance
- Swimming
- Textiles
- Trampolining
- Yoga
PUPIL VOICE
Pupil voice is important throughout the school, and Farlington students are encouraged to be part of our Student Council, which is made up of pupils from Reception right up to Year 13.
The Student Council enables students to contribute their ideas about how to ensure that the school offers the best possible environment for young people. We invite opinion on all matters pertaining to school life, from the range of clubs on offer to the catering provision; from the books available in the Library to the decoration of the Boarding House.
Student Council elections take place termly, and meetings are organised on a regular basis.
SCHOOL TRIPS
Throughout their time at Farlington, pupils will be offered numerous opportunities to travel far and wide, from local trips for our youngest pupils, to expeditions around the world for our older students.
During his or her time in the Lower School, your child will take part in a number of day trips, which are usually connected to an aspect of the syllabus currently being studied. Older pupils will also have the opportunity to take part in residential trips, for example Year 4's recent Teambuilding Trip to Blacklands Farm.
