William Farr Web | William Farr School

Vision:

William Farr (C of E) Comprehensive School's vision is to provide all members of the school community with the opportunities to engage with 'life in all its fullness' (John 10:10) through the highest quality of education, encouragement and endeavour. We are committed to striving for excellence and ensuring that all students are known, valued and can achieve.

Values:

Our core values are:

Compassion Friendship Perseverance
Respect Responsibility Wisdom

Each value is associated with one of our Houses.

The students consistently attain high standards of grades, and their behaviour in lessons and around the school is exemplary - not only do they respect one another, but they have respectful and excellent relationships with all the staff.

William Farr celebrates 70th anniversary with historic church service at Lincoln Cathedral

William Farr Church of England Comprehensive School

70^th Anniversary (1952 – 2022)

On 5 October 2022, William Farr Church of England Comprehensive School celebrated its 70th anniversary with a landmark ceremony at a packed Lincoln Cathedral. More than 2000 students, staff and special guests attended the event to mark the special day. Students, ferried to the cathedral in 24 coaches, along with VIPs, including former headteachers, staff and Governors, heard a series of readings and musical performances from the school choir and soloists.

Headteacher Jonathan Knowler told the assembled crowd that the school had survived for 70 years because of the core values “cementing our foundations. The friendship, compassion, perseverance, wisdom, respect and responsibility, which allows you all to live our vision on a daily basis and prepare you to leave school with the skills and confidence to be able to take your place in the world as well-rounded, educated and respectful individuals with a strong moral and ethical compass,” he said. “This is why we have stood the test of time.”

The school was opened in 1952 - the same year Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne - when the Rev William Farr spent his life savings on buying land for a new school. The school, built on the site of the former World War Two bomber station RAF Dunholme Lodge, was named after the Welton clergyman when he died in 1955. It still maintains a RAF Book of Remembrance, which honours those stationed at the base who served and died during the war. In 1996, the Queen and Prince Philip visited the school to open the new Humanities building and in 2004 additional facilities for Mathematics were opened by Prince Edward. In 2018 and 2019, the school was recognised nationally for being in the top 20% of non-selective schools for attainment based on data from the Department for Education and Ofsted.

After the ceremony, Mr Knowler said it had been an immensely proud day for the school. “To see our whole school community, past and present, assembled to honour the school’s history, progress and achievements was a very special moment,” he said. “The school has had an incredible journey from its early days to the thriving school community it is today and so many people have played an important part in that journey.

Today was about honouring those people and our heritage. But, as always, we look to the future and will continue to create a school which strives for excellence and to provide all members of the school community with the opportunities to engage with ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10)."

School Video for Prospective Students:

LINK TO PARENTS' QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OFSTED:

hEADTEACHER'S WELCOME

On behalf of the staff, students and governors, I extend a very warm welcome to our school.

William Farr is a fully inclusive, Church of England comprehensive school with a strong reputation and rich local history. The school was founded in 1952 by the local vicar, William Farr, after whom the school is named, and whose intent was that it remained a local school. Our Christian distinctiveness is at the heart of our ethos and values.

Our overarching aim is to develop students into well-rounded young people who have the skills and attributes to make informed choices, be responsible and principled citizens who are ready to take their place in the outside world. We achieve this through high quality teaching and learning and supporting children through excellent care and guidance where students are recognised and rewarded as individuals.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum and an extensive range of curricular and extra-curricular activities together with wide range of educational visits to complement learning.

What is fundamentally important to us is that children who attend our school are happy, successful and enjoy their time here. They say students at William Farr never leave and that is very true as children here make friends for life. With careful nurturing from school and support from you at home, students demonstrate the Christian values which are contained deep within the spirit of the school. Students show respect, are tolerant, kind and offer friendship to one another.

We are very proud of our students and staff and look forward to welcoming you into our school community.

Jonathan Knowler BA (Hons), PGCE, Dip.H.E, NPQH.

William Farr C of E Comprehensive School wins national award for performance

William Farr C of E Comprehensive School has been recognised nationally for its excellent results in 2018 based on data from the Department for Education and Ofsted, analysed by SSAT, the Schools, Students and Teachers network.

William Farr C of E Comprehensive School was found to be among the best performing secondary schools in the country, receiving an award for being in the top 20% of non-selective schools nationally for attainment.

The SSAT Educational Outcomes database compares all state-funded schools in England and the highest performing schools for a range of key measures are awarded SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards. William Farr C of E Comprehensive School will be presented with their award during the summer term at a ceremony attended by winners from across the region.

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said:

“I am delighted that William Farr C of E Comprehensive School has won an Educational Outcomes Awards. This recognises one important aspect of the school’s work but at SSAT we believe an outstanding school has deep social justice at the heart of its plan; it subjects that plan to constant challenge and innovation; and it liberates teachers to perform brilliantly in the classroom. SSAT is pleased to recognise the quality of leadership and the hard work of all staff to ensure the success of every child. A big thank you and well done to students, parents, staff and governors.”

Other Awards for William Farr School