Finding the right school wasn’t straightforward for Josiah. After joining Farringtons School as a day student in 2022, he quickly realised the long commute from Central London was unsustainable. He transferred to another school, hoping for a better fit, but soon found himself missing the Farringtons community. Ultimately, he returned as a flexi-boarder to reduce travel time and rediscover the supportive, close-knit environment he had missed.
“Farringtons is more integrated when it comes to international students, my previous school was very segregated,” he says. “Boarding is a part of Farringtons life. The teachers here are more understanding and more considerate of your well-being too.”
Established in 1908 as a Methodist girls’ school, Farringtons may have evolved into a co-educational institution, but it stays true to its Christian values of service, kindness, honesty, and respect. Located on 25 acres of parkland between the scenic Kent countryside and the buzz of London, the campus offers easy access to the M25 and M2 highways, with Heathrow Airport just an hour away.
This sense of balance extends to Farringtons’ boarding programme. Boarding here is less about staying on campus and more about creating a second home. Living and learning in harmony, boarders enjoy a familial atmosphere where they connect deeply with their peers from around the world, forming friendships that typically last well beyond graduation.
“It was easy to settle in because I had a solid network of friends,” Josiah says. “My friends have become my family. Even when I have had bad days, I can go back to the boarding house, and they are there to cheer me up.”
Boarding houses here are well-equipped for students to build lifelong friendships and grow as individuals. South House accommodates up to 41 boys, featuring a welcoming kitchen, TV, and PlayStation 5, as well as an activity room with a ping pong table and piano. Meanwhile, West House provides a cosy environment for up to 36 girls. It has a modern kitchen, a lounge for activities like yoga and movie nights, a gym, a swimming pool, and much more.
Such spaces ensure students get an even mix of recreational activities and academic focus. The Farringtons curriculum for Years 7 to 11 emphasises core subjects like Math, English, and Sciences. Student Lola, a native of Spain, loves the ways foundational topics are covered here. “Science here is more practical, whereas in Spain, it’s more about reading textbooks,” she says. “The teaching at Farringtons makes learning come to life, with experiments and workshops that make it interesting and engaging.”
Beyond academics, the school nurtures students’ creativity through its Creative Arts and Technology programmes. Students can even explore subjects like Photography and Performing Arts to discover and develop their talents. These courses also serve as pathways to GCSE and A Level qualifications, allowing learners to continue with their interests at an advanced level. It’s little wonder why most students achieve impressive GCSE and A Level results, gaining admission to top universities such as Oxford University, Durham University, University College London, and King’s College London.
The school’s commitment to holistic development doesn’t stop with academics. Farringtons’ co-curricular programme, “Floreat,” meaning “to thrive,” offers over 50 activities for students in Years 7 to 12. They help them build confidence, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Whether it’s sports, arts, or intellectual pursuits, there’s something for every interest.
For Mariama from Africa, the Floreat programme has been transformative. “I’ve enjoyed learning Scuba Diving, Parkour, Skiing, and Photography,” she says. “I’ve learned so much about Photography that when I start Sixth Form, it will help if I take it as a subject.”
The school’s facilities support this exploration. The two-storey Sports Hall includes a main hall, a mirrored dance studio, and a fitness room available to students from Year 10 and above. Here, they can dive into activities like badminton, basketball, football, cricket, gymnastics, tennis, rugby, trampolining, and more. Swimmers can access a 20-metre indoor heated pool, and the school’s grounds offer the perfect setting for evening cross-country runs.
Beyond the school week, Farringtons’ location opens up a world of weekend activities, like go-karting, mountain biking, paintballing, and even ice-skating during winter. Shopping trips, cafe outings in Kent, and excursions to explore the best of London are popular choices as well.
“I love all the trips that we have on the weekends,” Maria says. “I enjoyed going to the cinema to watch the Matilda musical. At Christmas, we went to the Elf musical, and we have been bowling — the trips on offer are amazing.”
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