Farmborough Church Primary School Review 2026: Village-scale warmth, academically ambitious

A small Church of England primary with the confidence, routines, and results of a much larger school, Farmborough Church Primary combines village-school familiarity with a clear academic focus. The school is part of The Partnership Trust and operates as an academy, with leadership and governance framed by trust oversight alongside a local governing committee.

Academically, outcomes at the end of Year 6 are strong, placing the school comfortably within the top quarter of primary schools in England on FindMySchool’s measures. Admissions pressure exists, but it is not at the extreme levels seen in some urban primaries, which matters for families weighing the realism of entry. The wraparound offer is a practical strength, with breakfast and after-school provision extending the day for working households.

The school’s Church of England character is not a label added for tradition, it actively shapes daily rhythms and community ties. Links with the local church feature in the way pupils mark key Christian festivals, and the rector is involved in leading collective worship. Families looking for a faith-shaped primary experience will recognise an ethos that is explicit about belief and practice while remaining open to a broad village intake.

A village primary can feel narrowly local, but the school’s own materials point to a broader sense of partnership and enrichment. Volunteers and community participation are presented as a real feature of school life, not an occasional add-on. That matters because it tends to widen pupils’ experiences without needing a large urban catchment, and it often correlates with stronger parental networks, which many families value when settling into a new school community.

Leadership is clearly signposted. The headteacher is Mr Darren Roberts, appointed in March 2023, and the website places him visibly at the front of the school’s public welcome. For parents, that visibility often translates into clearer communication and a more coherent sense of direction, especially during the first term when routines, expectations, and “how things are done” matter as much as any headline statistic.

The end of Key Stage 2 picture is unusually strong for a school of this size. In 2024, 81.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 30.33% reached greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England.

Scaled scores add useful texture. Reading averaged 109 and mathematics 106, indicating that the strong combined headline is supported by depth in core domains rather than a single spike. Grammar, punctuation and spelling averaged 108, with a notably high proportion achieving the higher standard in that area.

Rankings contextualise this in parent-friendly terms. Ranked 2,459th in England and 8th in Bath for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

For parents comparing options, it is worth using the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tool to line these outcomes up against other Bath-area primaries in the same year, since local context can affect both cohort size and headline percentages.

A strong Key Stage 2 profile usually reflects consistency rather than last-minute Year 6 acceleration alone. The school day structure shows a clear rhythm, with registration, lesson blocks, and a daily collective worship slot. In practice, that kind of predictable timetable supports behaviour and learning habits, particularly for younger pupils and those who find transitions difficult.

The curriculum is presented as broad and challenging, paired with enrichment rather than treating enrichment as separate from “real learning”. This is where the rural setting becomes an advantage. The school explicitly references using its grounds and location for Forest School activities across the year. That typically strengthens spoken language, teamwork, and practical problem solving, and it can also help pupils who are less responsive to desk-based learning to build confidence in different settings.

It is also worth noticing the staffing detail that is unusual for a small primary to foreground: Forest School leadership is identified as a specific role. That signals that outdoor learning is planned and led rather than improvised.

As a village primary, transition planning matters because cohorts are small and friendship groups can be tight. The school’s own published links point families toward Norton Hill Secondary School and Writhlington Secondary School as local next-step options, giving a useful starting point for parents mapping a longer education journey in the area.

For most families, the practical implication is straightforward. You are not only choosing a Reception to Year 6 experience, you are also choosing a pattern of transition. A good approach is to check secondary admissions arrangements early, particularly if you are moving into the area and do not yet have a sense of which secondary routes are realistic from your address.

Reception places are coordinated by Bath and North East Somerset rather than handled purely as a direct-to-school process. For September 2026 entry, the published closing date for on-time applications is 15 January 2026.

Demand is real but not extreme. In the most recent dataset year provided, there were 44 applications for 25 offers, which equates to about 1.76 applications per place. The school is classed as oversubscribed on that measure, so families should plan on a competitive process even if it does not reach the very high ratios seen in some city primaries.

Because distance offered data is not available here, families should avoid assumptions based on “it feels local”. If you are considering a move, the FindMySchool Map Search is the most practical way to test whether your home location is likely to be viable against recent demand patterns, then validate details through the local authority’s coordinated admissions materials.

For in-year moves, the school describes an in-year route separately from Reception entry, which is helpful for families relocating mid-cycle.

A small primary rises or falls on the basics: predictable routines, calm conduct, and adults who know pupils well. The most recent inspection report describes calm, purposeful conduct and warm, respectful relationships between staff and pupils, which is consistent with what many families hope for from a village setting.

Inspectors also reported that pupils say bullying is rare and that they feel safe, an important reassurance for parents prioritising emotional security as much as academic outcomes.

Pastoral support also shows up in the way wraparound care is framed. Breakfast and after-school provision is positioned as a “home from home”, which often matters for children who spend long days in school due to parental work patterns.

The most distinctive enrichment strand is the school’s use of its rural grounds. Forest School is referenced as something all children experience at some point during each year, not a niche club for a small subset. The implication for pupils is clear: outdoor learning becomes part of the core experience, building confidence through practical tasks and teamwork rather than treating the outdoors as an occasional reward.

Wraparound and community activity are also unusually specific. After-school provision references activities such as cookery, woodwork, nature walks, and even campfires. That level of practical enrichment is not typical for many state primaries and can be a strong fit for pupils who learn well through making, building, and doing.

Community links go beyond fundraising. The school describes involvement in community lunches, with pupils taking part in preparing, cooking, and serving food. This kind of outward-facing project builds confidence in speaking to unfamiliar adults, planning and organisation, and shared responsibility, all useful preparation for secondary transition.

Music and performance opportunities are signposted too, including a school community choir referenced in school communications around enrichment.

The published school day begins with breakfast club at 07:45, with lessons starting after morning registration at 08:55 and the core day ending at 15:15. After-school provision runs to 17:30.

Transport detail is less explicitly laid out in a parent “how to get here” format, which is common for village primaries where routines are locally understood. Families new to Farmborough should check day-to-day logistics early, especially winter travel and pick-up arrangements, since small rural roads can affect timing.

• Oversubscription is real. With 44 applications for 25 offers in the most recent year provided, there is competition for places. If you are moving house, treat admissions as a planning variable rather than a formality.

• Faith character is a genuine feature. Christian worship and church links are part of the school’s identity. Families who prefer a fully secular experience should read the ethos and admissions materials carefully before committing.

• Wraparound is a strength, but it makes for a long day. Provision from 07:45 to 17:30 can be a significant benefit for working parents. For younger pupils, it is worth thinking about energy levels across a full week.

• The village setting shapes daily life. Outdoor learning and community links are clear positives. The practical flip side can be travel planning, especially for families commuting into Bath or arriving from outside the immediate area.

Farmborough Church Primary School suits families who want a faith-shaped village primary with strong Key Stage 2 outcomes and a clear routine-driven approach to school life. The combination of above-average results, Forest School, and practical enrichment gives it a distinctive profile. It is best suited to families comfortable with a Church of England ethos and prepared to engage early with admissions, since competition for places is the limiting factor.