Q & A with Farlington Headmistress Louise Higson

29 Apr 2016

1 What was your favourite subject at school and why?
Mathematics – I had an inspirational teacher and I loved the fact that ultimately your answer is either right or wrong. It is logical and precise.

2 What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 5, I wanted to be a lollipop lady (the lollipop lady at my school always had sweets in her pocket!), by the time I was 15, I wanted to join the army, at 25 if I hadn’t gone into teaching I would have liked to have pursued a career in ophthalmology. I think ultimately though teaching was my true vocation.
3 Who was your best teacher and why?
Mr Riley! He taught me Maths and Further Maths at A Level. He was quite eccentric – I remember him taking us out in his car to demonstrate the forces present during circular motion. We must have driven round a roundabout 20 times!
4 What’s the best thing about being a Head?
It is a privilege to be Head at Farlington – I love my job and I know that I’m very lucky to be able to say that. It is an honour to work with young people and support them in achieving their goals and fulfilling their dreams. To see the girls mature and develop to become confident young women is one of the best parts of the role.

5 And what’s the worse?
We all have bad days, but by nature I’m a very positive person – I look for the best in everything and never fail to see things as an opportunity.

6 Name one or two of the school’s alumni (Not necessarily ‘famous’, could be a senior role in industry/business, sportsman etc)
Alexandra Harris has recently written ‘Weatherland’ to excellent reviews. She also won the Guardian First Book Award for ‘Romantic Moderns’ and has returned to the School to give seminars to our English students.
7 What’s the most unusual and the most popular extracurricular activity?
Mandarin and Tai Chi are probably the most unusual. Our music lessons and team sporting activities are always popular. We organise a History of Art trip to Florence which gives the girls the opportunity to study with The British Institute of Florence.
8 What aspect of the school, in terms of facilities, are you most proud?
Set in 33 acres of beautiful parkland, with two lakes – it’s a great environment.

9 Tell us something unexpected about the school?
The School was a refugee camp for Polish refugees after the war.

10 What are the questions you believe every parent should ask a school?
I think perhaps more importantly parents should be asking themselves questions: What are your first impressions? Are the buildings and grounds well maintained? Does the Head meet you personally? Are the staff friendly and welcoming? What are the pupils like – do they smile, say hello, are they engaged in their lessons? Ask what the school offers by way of clubs and extra-curricular activities, and are these included within the fees? Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have about the school.
Choosing a school is very similar to buying a house; you will have certain basic criteria but often, assuming those criteria are met, it comes down to how a school ‘feels’. Ultimately parents need to decide if it is the right ‘fit’ for their daughter or son.

11 How important are academic results?
Academic results are extremely important because they give our girls choices. At Farlington we have a strong record of academic success whist firmly believing in an all-round education. We want the girls to be educated as well as examined. In time they may forget how to do the differential calculus in their Maths GCSE but that intellectual curiosity will stay with them for life. The girls leave Farlington as educated young women, equipped with the knowledge, skills and most importantly the self-belief to give things a go and shape their own future!

12 What is the school ethos, and how is it embodied in the pupils/school environment?
We educate for confidence. Each girl is unique; we foster her individuality. If she is happy, she succeeds, she flourishes. We are proudly and intentionally a small school where each girl is known and where each girl gets big opportunities. We are proud of our broad intake and the amount of value that we add. We do not believe in compartmentalised education; social, moral, physical, spiritual and cultural growth are not separate from what happens in the classroom. Farlington girls are listened to, inspired and understood as individuals. We believe in creative thinking and the true application of education.
13 For what is the school most renown?
Giving a first class all-round education in a happy and purposeful environment.
14 What is the school’s attitude towards mobile phones, social media, use of the Internet etc
There is no getting away from technology, but it is important to teach the girls how to manage its use.
15 How much do you use social media, apps etc?
I tweet from my Headmistress’s account, but I don’t use it personally.

16 Do you also try to give pupils an old-fashioned experience of childhood and in what ways do you achieve this?
Prep School girls in their wellies, climbing trees and building dens!
17 How does the school meet the needs of those with educational difficulties such as dyslexia and any other special requirements?
Learning Support is offered to those pupils identified as having specific learning difficulties and varies according to individual need. In Years 7 and 8, support may take the form of individual or small group lessons. Girls in Years 9 to 11 may choose “Study Skills” as an option – these lessons give the opportunity for reinforcement of skills and consolidation of coursework as well as the skills to help with GCSE studies.
18 What structures and processes does the school have in place to deal with issues concerning pastoral care including home sickness, teasing or bullying etc
Our pastoral care is one of our strengths. We have a zero-tolerance to bullying and have sanctions in place to deal with it should it occur, but what is important is to address it at an early stage and to teach the girls to be respectful.

19 What languages are taught?
We have an exceptional Languages department. In the Prep School girls are introduced to French, Spanish and Latin. In the Senior School, Spanish, French and Latin are taught to all pupils in Years 7 and 8. German is offered in Year 9 and girls choose two or three languages of the four available at this Key Stage. In Year 10 we add Italian to the mix.
20 Are there any unusual subjects taught or unexpected experiences offered?
Languages is taught in an innovative way here. Each classroom includes a small stage on which girls enjoy performing the foreign language sketches they create together with their classmates.
21 How do you spend time out of school?
Fitness and food! I enjoy walking, skiing and have joined a gym. I love cooking and have taken a course at the Prue Leith Cookery School, learnt knife skills and been taught how to gut and fillet fish.
22 What are your personal passions/interests?
I love to travel. After working in Italy I spent three months backpacking around Australia. Now I prefer not to rough it and have enjoyed a fantastic trips to Italy and the United States recently.
23 What are the biggest challenges facing education at present?
One of the challenges is the change to the examination systems – especially introducing new GCSE and A Levels at the same time. Perhaps a more logical approach of one following from the other might have been better. Not all the new specifications are available yet – difficult to plan. The mixture of numbers and grades at GCSE will probably cause confusion until all subjects move to the numbers system.

24 What is the value of single sex education?
In a single-sex school no subject is considered off limits, no position of responsibility unattainable. The girls are the front-runners – Head of School, Games Captain and Leader of the Orchestra. In the classroom they can take intellectual risks; ask questions and make judgements without worrying about what the boys will think. This ‘can-do’ philosophy instils in them the confidence to be themselves; it builds the resilience which will stand them in good stead as they go out into the world and make their mark on it.

25 What does the boarding experience offer children?
The benefits of boarding are significant and long-lasting. Our boarders have the chance to grow into independent adults, able to cope with the ever-changing world, taking on more responsibility as they get older. They learn to do their best at everything – and not mind if they do not always succeed at the first attempt. The Boarding House is a place where the girls can mix with other students of similar ages, irrespective of race, religion, cultural and linguistic background, and where they are accepted for themselves. Above all, it is a place where happy memories are made!
26 How is family life changing and how does the school meet these changing requirements?
There are more and more families where both parents work. We offer extended day care: a breakfast club from 7.30am and relaxed after-school provision, so girls can relax, do their homework and be fed and can be picked up at 5.45pm or 7.00pm. Flexi-boarding is also an option for working parents, so girls can board during the week.