ST Andrew’s School and Potters Gate C of E Primary School joined forces this year to collect for the Farnham Food Bank after their nativity plays.

Both schools have delighted audiences at St Andrew’s Church with their Key Stage One nativity plays and Potters Gate reception classes performed ‘Shine Star, Shine’ at school.

The parents very generously gave to retiring collections which have raised jointly over £300 to help families in need in Farnham over the Christmas period and into the new year.

It is not just on the charitable front that the two town centre Farnham schools have been collaborating.

With both schools now members of the Diocese of Guildford’s multi-academy trust, The Good Shepherd Trust, they are now working closely together to provide families with different options of Church school education from four to 11.

Proposals have been submitted for a change in the Potters Gate admission numbers and criteria for September 2019, including an additional form of entry for 30 places in year three, enabling St Andrew’s families to opt to move to Potters Gate when they leave the infant school.

These proposals will strengthen the relationship between and further raise the profile of the schools in offering a flexible choice for all-round education for town centre families.

Jayne Venables, head of Potters Gate and Carol Trottier, head of St Andrew’s jointly stated: “It is fantastic to know that families can now confidently opt for the ambitious, value-based education we provide for children in Farnham.

“We are not only physically, but also figuratively right in the heart of Farnham with strong community links and support. Our nativity collections for the foodbank underline our deep connection to the community and we would like to thank parents for their generosity.

“St Andrew’s looks forward to welcoming families who want not only the rich learning opportunities and nurturing environment along with high academic results, as seen in the 2017 Surrey School League tables, it offers their children but also the way forward to continuing that same caring and creative experience at Potters Gate when the time comes for their children to move to Key Stage Two.

“This is a real milestone for Church school education in Farnham and we look forward to creating the best possible opportunities for children and their families.”