Farney Close School
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Farney Close School is smaller than the average independent residential special school. It is registered for up to 72 pupils aged from nine to 18. In March 2018, the registration was extended to include pupils aged nine and 10, but the school has not yet taken any pupils in this age range. There are currently 46 pupils on roll aged from 11 to 18. In September 2017, a new headteacher took over leadership of the school following the retirement of the previous, long-serving incumbent. He resigned after a year in post. In September 2018, the head of care stepped up to take on the role of acting headteacher. At the time of inspection, there were a number of staff fulfilling temporary leadership positions due to this situation and the absence, for health reasons, of the acting head of care. The governing body has also experienced turbulence. Several new members have joined recently. The chair of the governing body took up post in October 2018. All pupils have an education, health and care plan for their severe social, emotional and mental health needs. For many, this exhibits as behavioural difficulties. Almost all of the pupils board from Monday to Friday in the residential accommodation on site. The school’s aims are that, ‘all children and young people should have the opportunity to receive an education that supports each of them to become the best version of themselves.’ Pupils complete a ‘trial term’ at the school to check that Farney Close is the correct provision for them. For the vast majority of pupils, this is successful. The school works with the placing local authority, pupils and parents to secure appropriate alternative provision if the school turns out not to be the best fit for a pupil. A small number of pupils who are currently unable to attend school receive individual tuition off site. Students at the sixth form attend Crawley College to study from a wide range of accredited academic and/or vocational courses and to continue their English and mathematics studies, if required. Farney Close provides careers and life skills learning to support this. The last integrated inspection of the school and residential provision was carried out in November 2015.