Farrowdale House: A small school gem with big results

Just across the Rochdale border in Shaw, there’s a little-known treasure that happens to be one of the region’s most affordable private schools.

Farrowdale House Independent Preparatory School has been cultivating young minds since 1983. Known for its small class sizes and warm, family-oriented ethos, it offers a nurturing environment where every child is treated as an individual.

With a strong focus on both academic excellence and character development, Farrowdale fosters confidence, curiosity, and integrity in pupils aged three to 11.

With no more than 15 in each year group, this intimate setting provides an enriched, focused learning experience that allows every child to flourish.

This small class size is a core part of Farrowdale’s philosophy, allowing for a highly personalised learning experience.

Owner and proprietor Suzanne Hall said: "With such small classes, pupils get a huge amount of teacher time, which elevates learning, enhances student engagement, and improves academic performance.

“The benefits of a small pupil-to-teacher ratio are enormous and can often be overlooked."

 

 

Beyond academics, Farrowdale places significant importance on building respectful and well-rounded individuals. Unusually for schools today, Farrowdale fosters close relationships between students of different age groups, encouraging older children to look after younger ones.

All pupils take part in whole-school activities and interact daily, creating a sense of community. Suzanne continued: "The children are taught character development and emotional management.

“We want a well-rounded child who is ready for life."

Respect and kindness are core values at Farrowdale. Pupils are encouraged to greet each other politely, hold doors open, and practise good manners in their daily interactions.

Though Suzanne pointed out that some think it’s old fashioned, she added that: “We believe that these little courtesies help build the character of the child."

The school’s location in a building filled with history and character adds to its unique atmosphere.

The Shaw school offers modern facilities including an ICT suite and interactive whiteboards, while its historic structure creates a sense of tradition and community.

The school hall, with its original sprung maple floor and domed acoustic ceiling, is used for physical education, music, and drama. It is also home to the school’s choir, which has been invited to perform at Manchester Cathedral each Christmas, a testament to the quality of its music programme.

Farrowdale offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Jiu Jitsu, football, origami, and board games.

The school also provides pupils with the opportunity to take London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) courses, allowing them to work towards recognised exams in drama and public speaking.

These activities complement the school’s academic curriculum, ensuring that pupils are well-rounded and confident in a variety of areas.

 

 

One of Farrowdale’s standout features is its independence from any secondary school. This allows the school to prepare pupils for a wide range of prestigious secondary schools, including Manchester Grammar, Rishworth, Hulme, and Crossley Heath.

Suzanne said: "We don’t have a secondary school attached, so we prepare our pupils for schools across the area. This gives them more options and helps us stand out as not prioritising the child, not our business interests.”

Farrowdale is also known for its affordability, offering a high-quality independent education at competitive rates.

Fees for children over five are £6,820 per year, with 15-30 hours of free funding available for children under five.

The school also offers a 5% discount for NHS employees, making it an attractive option for working families.

To support parents, Farrowdale provides a free morning club starting at 7.30am, much earlier than most schools, giving families greater flexibility.

The school also offers an after-school programme that runs until 5.30pm, with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for pupils.

While academic excellence is a core focus, Farrowdale’s mission goes beyond preparing children for exams. Suzanne said: "We want to educate the whole child, building their character, resilience, and life skills. Our aim is to prepare them for life, not just the next school they’ll attend."

With its small classes, individual attention, and emphasis on both academic and personal growth, Farrowdale House Independent Preparatory School continues to be a local gem of quality education in the area.

Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school and experience for themselves the warm, welcoming environment that has made Farrowdale a success for over 40 years.

Farrowdale House Preparatory School
Farrow Street
Oldham
OL2 7AD

T: 01706 844533
E: info@farrowdale.com
W: www.farrowdale.co.uk