Farney Close School
Bolney Court, Bolney, Crossways, Haywards Heath, RH17 5RDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Farney Close School is a special school in Haywards Heath for ages 9 to 18. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 June 2025, report published 21 July 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 June 2025
Farney Close School is life-changing. A world of opportunity awaits pupils when they join the school. Often, pupils start at the school following disrupted and negative educational experiences elsewhere. They soon realise that things are different for them here. Pupils find a love of learning again. Staff are highly ambitious for what pupils can achieve. They work tirelessly and sensitively to gain pupils' trust. Staff successfully set pupils on the right track. As a result, pupils leave the school with a bright future ahead of them. Pupils are proud of this school. They are positive about their experiences and how well the school helps them. Staff make it their mission to know each of the pupils inside out. A careful mix of education, pastoral care and therapy successfully meets pupils' individual needs. Pupils behave exceptionally well in lessons and at social times. Polite manners, such as holding doors open for others, and respectful behaviours are the norm. Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their education. A rich programme of personal development opportunities prepares pupils exceptionally well for the future. From lessons about risk and healthy living to working with children in Ankoma, pupils learn about the wider world around them.
What the school should improve
- The school does not translate EHC plan outcomes into practice fully effectively to support pupils' individual needs. This means that some pupils do not make as much progress as they could towards these specific outcomes. The school should ensure that pupils' EHC plan outcomes are consistently broken down into shorter- term, more achievable targets so that all pupils make rapid and sustained progress towards them.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
12 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
85 pupils on roll, with places for 100
Schools near Farney Close School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVS Hassocks | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 8.9 |
| Hambrook School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Brantridge School | 4 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | 0% met the expected standard |
| Woodlands Meed | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.9 |
| Central Education Ltd | 7 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 7.7 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 9 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding places
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sara Hack
- Phone
- 01444881811
- Address
- Bolney Court, Bolney, Crossways, Haywards Heath, RH17 5RD
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- URN
- 126139
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.