Great Bookham School is part of South Farnham Educational Trust is a popular 2 form entry primary school for children aged 4 to 11 in Great Bookham with a pre-school for children aged 3.

At Great Bookham School we create an environment in which every child is nurtured and cared for. Through our broad and balanced curriculum we strive to ensure our pupils reach their full potential - academically, emotionally and socially.

Your children should leave primary school with a secure set of skills, knowledge, and understanding to prepare them for the next stage of their education and an unpredictable future. We believe that our forward thinking approach means that every child can build on their strengths and develop the confidence and skills in which to succeed.

The core values we promote in the school are:

            P – Positive attitudes to everything we do

            R – Respect for ourselves and for each other

            I – Independence of thought and of action

            D – Difference, we celebrate the uniqueness of each individual

            E – Excellence in all we do.

Our ethos is to create a love of learning.

It is our aim for our school to be viewed as making excellent provision for all its community, knowing and celebrating the strengths of all individuals and having high aspirations for everyone. We aspire to a culture of successful high quality outcomes within a supportive, stress-free environment as well as being progressive and outward facing in terms of the curriculum and the wide ranging opportunities that the school offers.

The children who are currently in our school are the citizens of the future. The world of tomorrow is likely to be a very different place than that of today therefore it is important that we teach children the purpose of learning and HOW to learn not WHAT to learn.

Our school environment is:

• safe and secure, encouraging children and staff to question and encouraging a culture of trial and error
• a place where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities
• a place where striving towards personal excellence is actively acknowledged and praised
• motivating and encouraging, praising the effort rather than outcome
• outward facing, showing what is on offer in the wider world and giving opportunities for experimenting
• able to provide a range of experiences to inspire as many children and staff as possible in whatever area that interests them

Ultimately our school should be a place where successful learners; responsible citizens and confident individuals are developed for the future whatever that future may hold!

South Farnham Educational Trust is a growing Multi Academy Trust which was formed in 2015.

Our Trust currently consists of eleven schools (ten full members and one associate member), a Teaching School Hub and thriving SCITT.

South Farnham School consisting of 837 pupils from 4 to 11 years is situated on two sites, one in Menin Way and the other in The Bourne. It is an ‘Outstanding’ school, an RSHE hub, a Teaching School Hub and the Accredited Body for the Surrey South Farnham SCITT. South Farnham is the designated Academy Sponsor.

Highfield South Farnham School, a two-form entry primary school with a Nursery, catering for children from three years. After working with the Trust it become an ‘Outstanding’ school with a reputation for high-quality provision following an Ofsted inspection in January 2018 and continues to be outstanding from the latest inspection April 2024.

The Raleigh School, a popular two form entry primary school consisting of 436 pupils from 4 - 11 years of age located in the semi-rural village of West Horsley. Following an Ofsted inspection in March 2024 it is also an 'Outstanding' school.

Wallace Fields Infant School and Nursery, a thriving two form entry small, friendly, caring infant school and Shining Stars Nursery based in Ewell recognised as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

Busbridge Infant School, a popular two form entry infant school based in Godalming, Surrey.

Great Bookham School, a two form entry primary school based in Great Bookham, Surrey.

Kings Furlong Infant School and Nursery, a busy, thriving school based near the centre of Basingstoke.

Normandy Village School, a single form entry primary school based in the Surrey countryside near to Guildford.

Brighton Hill Community School a coeducational secondary school located in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The Blue Coat School, also a coeducations secondary school in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Our associate member is St Mary's C of E (Aided) Infant School.

Teaching Hub

Our Teaching School Hub is one of 87 centres of excellence for teaching training and development in the country. We provide high-quality professional development to teachers in over 300 schools and at each stage of their career (from TA to executive leadership), outstanding teacher training and appropriate body services.

South Farnham SCITT - a primary Initial Teacher Training partnership of over 220 schools; graded 'Outstanding' in all areas by Ofsted. Nationally recognised within the DfE to be at the forefront of school-based training.

Vision and purpose of the Trust

• To create a group of schools that have a shared commitment to ensuring the highest possible outcomes for their children.

• Through close co-operation children, parents and teachers will share professional expertise, training opportunities and facilities to ensure that the whole is greater than the part.

• To create a learning environment where the highest possible standards are a feature of all schools.

• To establish a shared understanding of what works and a reflective, research-based approach to school improvement.

• To celebrate and develop the uniqueness of each school within the MAT family of schools.