Farnham College
Encyclopedia
Farnham College is a sixth form college
in Farnham
, Surrey
, UK
. It is located on a single campus in a residential area just to the south of Farnham town centre, and is now a foundation college. The majority of its land is leased from the Farnham College Foundation, which is governed by a board of trustees, four of whom are college governors.
The College offers a wide range of A-level and vocational qualifications
and also caters for students with physical disabilities and special learning needs.
and it was created some time before 1585 (the date of a donation being made by a Richard Searle "to the maintenance of the school in Farnham"). It is possible that this ancient school dated back as far as 1351 when a chantry
was created at Farnham Castle
, but there is no documentary evidence of this.
The school benefited over the years from bequests by different people as well as the generosity of Bishops of Winchester
who occupied Farnham Castle
over the centuries.
In 1905, the town centre assets of the school were sold in order to purchase and build a new school in fields to the south of the town. In 1973, under Government education reforms, the school gave way to the present Farnham College.
Farnham College is Farnham's first sixth form college, and opened in September 1973 from the amalgamation of Farnham Grammar School for boys and Farnham Girls' Grammar School. At the same time the local secondary schools became 13 to 16 comprehensive schools. Former students include the television reporter James Mates
and the sociologist Carl R May.
The college was established on the site of Farnham Grammar School, initially using the existing buildings. The Girls' Grammar School building in Menin Way is now the very successful South Farnham School
.
In 2007 a merger took place between the college and Guildford College
.
The main building on the campus is now Surrey Court, a three storey facility equipped with laboratories, teaching rooms, a performing arts area, a restaurant, and the Learning Resource Centre.
College Court is a new teaching block with well-equipped classrooms for Social Sciences, Business, Mathematics, IT, Geography, and Art and Design. In addition, a separate wing is employed for musical activities.
The Music Centre played host to the music department, but the music courses have now been abandoned. It now runs as a creche facility.
provision of daytime and evening courses.
The college currently enrolls around 500 full-time students aged 16 to 18 annually, with a further 500 adult part-time students within its adult education and community programme. In 2002/03, adults constituted only around 5% of the college's full-time equivalent students. The college works closely with local partner schools, from three of which it recruits most of its students. It also draws students from further afield, recruiting from around 40 schools in total. Over 80% of full-time students take advanced level (level 3) courses.
The majority of adult students are enrolled on English as a foreign language (EFL), childcare, general interest and basic skills courses. Most adults are on short courses.
Sixth form college
A sixth form college is an educational institution in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belize, Hong Kong or Malta where students aged 16 to 18 typically study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels, or school-level qualifications such as GCSEs. In Singapore and India, this is...
in Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is located on a single campus in a residential area just to the south of Farnham town centre, and is now a foundation college. The majority of its land is leased from the Farnham College Foundation, which is governed by a board of trustees, four of whom are college governors.
The College offers a wide range of A-level and vocational qualifications
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
and also caters for students with physical disabilities and special learning needs.
History
Farnham College was formerly Farnham Grammar SchoolFarnham Grammar School
Farnham Grammar School is now called Farnham College which is located in Farnham, Surrey.-History:The grammar school was created some time before 1585...
and it was created some time before 1585 (the date of a donation being made by a Richard Searle "to the maintenance of the school in Farnham"). It is possible that this ancient school dated back as far as 1351 when a chantry
Chantry
Chantry is the English term for a fund established to pay for a priest to celebrate sung Masses for a specified purpose, generally for the soul of the deceased donor. Chantries were endowed with lands given by donors, the income from which maintained the chantry priest...
was created at Farnham Castle
Farnham Castle
Farnham Castle is a castle in Farnham, Surrey, England .First built in 1138 by Henri de Blois, grandson of William the Conqueror, Bishop of Winchester, the castle was to become the home of the Bishops of Winchester for over 800 years. The original building was demolished by Henry II in 1155 after...
, but there is no documentary evidence of this.
The school benefited over the years from bequests by different people as well as the generosity of Bishops of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
who occupied Farnham Castle
Farnham Castle
Farnham Castle is a castle in Farnham, Surrey, England .First built in 1138 by Henri de Blois, grandson of William the Conqueror, Bishop of Winchester, the castle was to become the home of the Bishops of Winchester for over 800 years. The original building was demolished by Henry II in 1155 after...
over the centuries.
In 1905, the town centre assets of the school were sold in order to purchase and build a new school in fields to the south of the town. In 1973, under Government education reforms, the school gave way to the present Farnham College.
Farnham College is Farnham's first sixth form college, and opened in September 1973 from the amalgamation of Farnham Grammar School for boys and Farnham Girls' Grammar School. At the same time the local secondary schools became 13 to 16 comprehensive schools. Former students include the television reporter James Mates
James Mates
James Mates is a British newsreader and journalist.Mates is currently employed by ITN where he presents on ITV News whilst also being senior correspondent.-Personal life:James Mates is the son of Conservative party politician Michael Mates...
and the sociologist Carl R May.
The college was established on the site of Farnham Grammar School, initially using the existing buildings. The Girls' Grammar School building in Menin Way is now the very successful South Farnham School
South Farnham School
South Farnham School is a coeducational junior school for ages 7-11 in Menin Way, Farnham, Surrey, England.-History:It was originally built in 1938 as the Farnham Girls' Grammar School, which was opened by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester in 1939 and closed in 1973.-Clubs:Many activities and...
.
In 2007 a merger took place between the college and Guildford College
Guildford College
Guildford College of Further and Higher Education in Guildford, Surrey caters for students of age 16+ in full-time and part-time study. It has three campuses, one at Stoke Road, adjacent to Stoke Park in Guildford; the second at Merrist Wood near Worplesdon and the third Farnham College...
.
The campus
Morley Court is the original school building of the former grammar school and was first opened in 1906. When built it was surrounded by extensive playing fields and these continue to form part of the site; with pitches for football (soccer), rugby, cricket, and tennis courts.The main building on the campus is now Surrey Court, a three storey facility equipped with laboratories, teaching rooms, a performing arts area, a restaurant, and the Learning Resource Centre.
College Court is a new teaching block with well-equipped classrooms for Social Sciences, Business, Mathematics, IT, Geography, and Art and Design. In addition, a separate wing is employed for musical activities.
The Music Centre played host to the music department, but the music courses have now been abandoned. It now runs as a creche facility.
Students
Most of the students are from the 16-19 age group on full time courses, along with a smaller adult educationAdult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
provision of daytime and evening courses.
The college currently enrolls around 500 full-time students aged 16 to 18 annually, with a further 500 adult part-time students within its adult education and community programme. In 2002/03, adults constituted only around 5% of the college's full-time equivalent students. The college works closely with local partner schools, from three of which it recruits most of its students. It also draws students from further afield, recruiting from around 40 schools in total. Over 80% of full-time students take advanced level (level 3) courses.
The majority of adult students are enrolled on English as a foreign language (EFL), childcare, general interest and basic skills courses. Most adults are on short courses.
Notable alumni
- Claire WrightClaire WrightClaire Louise Wright is a British trampolinist. She attended sixth form at Farnham College before doing a Sports Science degree at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff....
, World Cup champion and Olympic trampolinist. - Jeremy HardyJeremy HardyJeremy James Hardy is a British alternative comedian who is also known for his socialist politics.-Career:Hardy was born in Farnborough, Hampshire. He attended Farnham College and studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Southampton...
, comedian - James MatesJames MatesJames Mates is a British newsreader and journalist.Mates is currently employed by ITN where he presents on ITV News whilst also being senior correspondent.-Personal life:James Mates is the son of Conservative party politician Michael Mates...
, journalist with ITV News