Army&You has been exploring the ace amenities on offer at some of the UK’s top independent schools. Here, we explore what’s on offer at Farleigh School, near Andover (farleighschool.com)…
Tell us about your school’s current facilities.
At Farleigh we are fortunate to have excellent facilities which complement all aspects of school life: a brand-new, purpose-built Music School, a well-equipped theatre with tiered seating, state-of-the-art new science laboratories, a dedicated food technology room, light and airy Art and DT department, indoor swimming pool, sports hall, recently refurbished boarding houses and a beautiful Chapel at the heart of the school. All this on a stunning 70-acre site just outside Andover, which includes extensive sports pitches, flood-lit tennis courts, an outdoor classroom, trim trail, landscaped woodland in which to play and a new all-weather pitch, officially opened in December 2016 by GB women’s hockey goalkeeper and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist Maddie Hinch (pictured left).
Do you have any plans for future investment?
Not currently, having just completed the Music School and the all-weather pitch!
What’s the jewel in your crown?
Music has long been one of Farleigh’s strengths and after several years of planning, it was fantastic to see the new Music School open its doors to pupils in January. It is a superb addition to Farleigh’s facilities, providing the school with a stunning new recital hall, 12 practice rooms, dedicated classroom, recording studio and “rock room”.
What does having access to top-notch facilities mean to a child’s education?
Excellent facilities enhance a child’s learning experience by giving them masses of opportunity to try new things, discover what they are good at and where their talents lie.
Why should parents pick your school based on your facilities?
We don’t believe that parents choose schools based solely on a school’s facilities, but we appreciate that Farleigh has the ‘wow’ factor in terms of its beautiful setting and the facilities it offers.
What are your top three most used facilities?
Mass is celebrated in the Chapel at Farleigh every Sunday and is attended by boarders, current and former parents and families, and other members of the local community. The swimming pool is used not only by Farleigh pupils, but also parents and members of the wider local community. The sports pitches, sports hall, theatre, tennis courts and music school also benefit others and not just Farleigh pupils.