Farlington to welcome new Head in September 2021

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Headmaster, Mr James Passam, who will join Farlington at the start of the Autumn Term.

Currently Deputy Head at Seaford College in Petworth, where he has been for the past eight years and has played a major role in the recent success of the school, Mr Passam was previously Head of English and Boarding Housemaster at St John’s School, Leatherhead. He therefore brings to Farlington extensive knowledge and experience of local independent education in the region. Prior to this, Mr Passam taught at Truro School in Cornwall.

After achieving his degree at the University of Manchester, Mr Passam worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in The City, before being drawn to the world of teaching and achieving a PGCE from the University of Oxford. He also holds an MBA from Henley Business School.

"Following an extensive search and rigorous recruitment process, attracting a very strong field of candidates, I am delighted that we have appointed Mr Passam," comments David Williams, Education Director at Bellevue Education. "Throughout the process, we were very impressed with his grasp of the opportunities that lie ahead for Farlington as it enters an exciting new era and period of growth as a fully co-educational school."

"We are especially delighted that Mr Passam will have an immediate involvement in appointing a new Deputy Head next month. He will also be involved in recruiting key members of his Senior Team shortly afterwards, in a new leadership structure that will harness the considerable talent that lies within the staff at Farlington."

Keen to celebrate Farlington’s unique position as the only co-educational independent through school in the Horsham area, Mr Passam will be focussed on delivering high-quality teaching and learning at the school, as well as outstanding co-curricular provision.

"I have been hugely impressed by the students, staff and parents at Farlington,’ says Mr Passam, who also recognises the school’s pastoral strength. "I have been struck by the considerable heart the school possesses, and by its warmth and welcome. I am extremely excited about Farlington’s future."

Mr Passam will succeed current Headmistress Ms Louise Higson, who has been Head at Farlington for nine years, and was previously Deputy Head from 2005. During her time as Headmistress, Ms Higson has overseen not only Farlington’s successful transition into the Bellevue Education group, but also the school’s move to co-education and its excellent ‘Virtual School’ provision throughout the challenging Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Passam will be joined at Farlington by his wife and their two daughters, all of whom will live on the school estate.