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School Information

whole school 1898

You can see our school community has changed vastly since this picture was taken! St Mary's is a special place to be and we are proud of our school and the commmunity who support it.

Here you will find much of the important information that helps to make us the school we are.

But to get a real sense of what makes us special come and visit us.

Appointments can be made simply by ringing our school office.

We'd love to see you!

School Ethos

Admissions

Pupil Premium

Curriculum Overview

School Policies

Key Stage 2 Results

Education.gov.uk

Our School Day

School Uniform

2012-13 Term Dates

In The Beginning..........
The school in Church Road was built in 1875, replacing the earlier building situated in the centre of the village opposite the Duke's Head public house, which was later incorporated in the grounds of Lawkland, where one large house once stood. The Headteacher's log book provides a unique history of the life of the village school during the last 100 years.

In the early days, until 1891, the school was supported by fees paid by the parents; either one or two pennies a week, though many attended free of charge. By 1884 the penny-dinners were very popular. These encouraged children to stay on the school premises at lunch time instead of walking home. It also ensured a higher afternoon attendance!
There were four classrooms; hence four classes. The old hall then comprised two classrooms. As was common practice at the time, there were separate playground areas for boys and girls.

A snowy day in 1956

Why is Farnham Royal 'Royal'?

The Domesday Book records the manor as being held by Baron de Furnival of the Verdon family, who gave the service of providing a glove for the king's right hand on coronation day and helping him hold the sceptre. This kind of feudal service is known as a serjeanty. It was a personal service given to the King, and under the arrangement the giver of the service could have tenure of an estate without having to offer military service or rent. For this serjeanty William I gave the Verdon family the manor of Farnham and it was passed down the family to the Talbots, the Earls of Shrewsbury.

In 1542 the manor was given by Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, to Henry VIII together with the coronation serjeanty which passed to the manor of Worksop in Nottinghamshire. The manor stayed in the direct ownership of the Crown until the reign of Charles I, who, always short of money, sold it to the Coke family. Ironically there was a dispute over the coronation day duty as late as 1903 when the courts found that it had passed away from the descendants of the Verdon family.

The Farnham Royal extract from the Doomsday Book

TODAY...

"The school is a harmonious community where pupils from all faiths and cultural backgrounds get on well together"

Ofsted 2012

“The youngest children, in the Early Years Foundation Stage, are lively and interested in the activities on offer and learn to share and take turns. They develop positive relationships that stand them in good stead as they move through the school.”

Ofsted 2012

“Pupils’ attitudes to learning are positive and they respond well in lessons.”

Oftsed 2012

"Teachers’ expectations of pupils’ behaviour are high and they are not disappointed.”

Ofsted 2012

"Pupils told inspectors that staff help them to make decisions in the school and they have regular opportunities to reflect on the beliefs and values represented in the school’s community.”

Ofsted 2012

“The best lessons proceed at a good pace with well-motivated pupils engaged by teachers’ enthusiasm.”

Ofsted 2012

Click on the link below to obtain our latest OFSTED report:

Click on the link below to obtain our latest SIAS report: