WHAT? WHERE?

Children at Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

Barfield School is a co–educational day school for children aged 2 to 11 in Runfold near Farnham in Surrey. As first impressions go, Barfield gets top marks. It’s set in 12 beautiful acres, surrounded by fields and woodland. And the school makes the most of the stunning surroundings with outdoor education a massive priority. A treehouse has pride of place in the playground and is used regularly as an outdoor classroom. There are also high and low ropes courses, a zipwire, quad biking track plus archery and shooting ranges. Sounds idyllic, right?

The main building is very attractive and there’s a lovely homely feel when you go inside – it’s light and spacious with armchairs, and in the main meeting room large sofas are set either side of a big coffee table. Huge windows look out onto the playgrounds. If you like your schools with a feeling of informality and intimacy, you’re in the right place.

There are about 300 children on the register – with an even split of boys and girls. Entry is non-selective. Children come mostly from the local area extending to Farnborough, Aldershot, Farnham and Guildford.

The school was founded in 1933 and is part of the ‘Prep Schools Trust’ a family of five prep schools which prides itself on providing the best education for their pupils both pastorally and academically.

FACILITIES

There’s everything you’d expect to find and a whole lot more. We’ve already mentioned the outdoor adventure facilities which are utterly ‘wow’. But you’ll also find sporting pitches and sports courts, a heated indoor swimming pool, an arts and technology centre with a good-sized auditorium, music rooms plus practice rooms and an impressive ICT suite.

A new food tech room opened in 2021 alongside new science labs, and a new dining hall is already underway and expected to open in 2024.

SPORT

Children running at Barfield Prep School near Farnham, Surrey

The outdoors are a big part of school life at Barfield, and that includes sport which is extensive both within the curriculum and in the after-school clubs. Sport is used to help develop a fair sense of play, teamwork, confidence and self-esteem in children. And of course, the physical, mental benefits plus social development is important too.

In the Pre-Prep, pupils have weekly swimming, and gymnastics lessons during the autumn/spring term, alongside Games and Adventure sessions. In the Prep School, the main sports are football, netball, hockey, swimming, cricket, tennis and athletics, alongside sports like cross country, biathlon, gymnastics and dance. There are also plenty of adventure activities like archery, quad biking, high ropes climbing and zip-wire flying. Each year there’s a school Sports Day.

Pupils compete in fixtures against regional schools – in netball, tag-rugby, hockey and football in the autumn/spring term and cricket, athletics and cross-country in the summer. They also compete in regional and national swimming events.

THE ARTS

A girl painting at Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

While the outdoors is an undeniable big-hitter at Barfield, the arts are also a strong focus with art, design technology, music and drama all on the curriculum as stand-alone subjects. An entire week is dedicated to the visual arts which includes visits from artists and trips to galleries and museums to inspire and the children’s learning. There’s also an annual Barfield Art Exhibition.

The school has a reputation for its strong music programme, and it’s part of the learning from the nursery upwards. One-to-one music tuition is available and just over half of all pupils are having lessons with visiting peripatetic teachers. And they children are putting their musical ability to good use too – there are a four choirs, an orchestra, two rock groups, a ukelele group and a recorder group.

A new head of performing arts has recently been appointed and while the drama offering is already strong, it’s about to become stronger with Lamda becoming part of the curriculum from Year 2 upwards. Each year the senior pupils stage a summer production.

ACADEMICS

Children in class at Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

The school is set out with a nursery, Lower and Upper school. Class sizes are small with no more than 18 pupils per class.

There’s a wide and varied curriculum, but the learning goes beyond the classroom here. There’s a strong focus on character education too – developing empathy and teaching the children skills for life and adulthood alongside the academics. They want children to feel valued and to be the best they can be. There’s a pupil parliament, where the children are given a voice, and there are exercises to help develop good teamwork skills. Individual achievements are also celebrated.

In the Lower School – which is Reception and Years 1 and 2 – children are taught by their form tutor with specialist teachers for Music, PE, Swimming, Life Skills, French and Outdoor Learning. In the Upper school all subjects are specialist taught.

100 per cent of children at the school pass the Common Entrance exam – as a passionately non-selective school that’s a big academic tick. Pupils go on to a variety of senior schools including Charterhouse, Churcher’s College, Farnborough Hill, Frensham Heights, Guildford High School, King Edward’s Witley, Lord Wandsworth College, Prior’s Field, RGS Guildford, St Catherine’s, Salesian College and Tormead.

PASTORAL CARE

Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

There’s a warm and caring ethos at Barfield, with a strong focus on pastoral care, and the size of the school means that every child is known by all the staff. Pastoral care begins with the Form teachers, but there’s also a formal tracking system in place to monitor each child’s wellbeing and communication is key, both amongst staff and with pupils and their families.

The school wants children to feel valued and to be the best they can be. There’s a pupil parliament, where the children are given a voice, and there are exercises to help develop good teamwork skills. Individual achievements are also celebrated.

LITTLIES

Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

In the Nursery, they start as Hatchlings at age two, moving to Owlets from 2-3 and Owls at age 3-4. The classrooms are spacious and bright with a great outdoor space. As well as a secure free-flow outdoor space that’s accessed directly from the classrooms, there’s also a play area with wooden climbing frames, sandpits, a mud kitchen, chalkboards and a much-loved wooden pirate ship. As with the rest of the school, outdoor learning is important and the nursery children make use of the wider school grounds as well as their own spaces.

There’s also a sleep room. There’s a real effort at Barfield to create an environment that’s like home, especially for the littlies. When they have lunch, everyone sits and is served at the table together.

THE HEAD

Andy Boyle, head teacher at Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

Andy Boyle arrived at Barfield towards the end of 2019, having come from Chandlings School in Oxford. He spent 10 years there as Deputy Head Pastoral. As you’d expect from a head whose previous role was centred around pastoral care, he’s big on getting wellbeing right which he believes flows through to the children’s academic education. He’s warm and friendly, and passionate about putting the children’s happiness and wellbeing centre stage.

QUIRKS

Three Peaks at Barfield Prep School near Farnham in Surrey

Barfield has its own outdoor pursuits department called Three Peaks. There aren’t many prep schools that have this level of focus on outdoor learning! As well as running activities for pupils that includes assault courses, orienteering and a gladiator challenge, Three Peaks also run school holiday camps (open to pupils and non-pupils), birthday parties and hosts youth and corporate groups.

WRAP AROUND CARE

There’s early drop off from 8am (no extra cost) and breakfast club from 7.30-8am available to all pupils. After-school activities and Great Lates run until 6.15pm – with a light tea for children staying beyond 4.10pm.

The Nursery is open throughout the school holidays. And Three Peaks Barfield, the school’s outdoor pursuits department offers activity camps for children age 4-13 years during the holidays.

ISI REPORT

A girl on a computer at Barfield school, near Farnham Surrey

The school’s most recent ISI inspection was in June 2023 when it was rated Excellent across the board. Read the full report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

No phones are permitted at school.

TRANSPORT

There are morning minibus services which cover the areas of Alton, Crondall, Aldershot, Farnham, Fleet, Guildford and the surrounding villages like Normandy, Tilford, Elstead and Shackleford.

FEES

In the 2024-25 academic year, fees in the Nursery are £1,356 a term for three sessions as week, £2,260 for five sessions and £4,015 for five full days. Reception and Year 1 is £4,000 per term, Year 2 is £4,230, Years 3 and 4 is £5,700, and Years 5 to 6 is £5,890 per term.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Children camping at barfield prep school near Farnham in Surrey

Parents love the happy, caring and nurturing environment at Barfield. They also love the school’s focus on the whole child – building confidence while offering an energetic learning environment.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Children playing sport at Barfield School in Surrey

Good for: Well-rounded kids. The vibe is caring and friendly, but academically strong. The outdoor adventure facilities are impressive and all children get to participate fully. The good flexible after-school care is particularly helpful for busy working parents.

Not for: Families who require boarding, a town location or a larger school cohort. Parents who prefer a more hothousey approach to schooling might also look elsewhere.

Dare to disagree? There’s an open event on Friday 20 Sept, or you can book a private tour and have a look for yourself. Book here.

Barfield School, Guildford Road, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 1PB

Barfield Prep School, Runfold, near Farnham

You may also like