In this conversation, Brendan O’Keeffe reflects on his journey into education, underlining the importance of nurturing strong relationships with staff, pupils, and parents. He shares insights from his varied career, discusses the growing role of digital strategy in schools, and outlines his vision for Farrington’s Prep School. Brendan emphasises the value of adaptive teaching in sustaining children’s curiosity and love of learning. He also touches on the thoughtful integration of AI in education and closes with a message of inclusivity and support for parents.

Takeaways

• Building meaningful relationships with staff, pupils, and parents is vital.
• Education holds the power to transform lives.
• A diverse background in education strengthens leadership.
• Digital strategy plays a key role in today’s schooling.
• Adaptive teaching keeps students engaged and curious.
• Childhood should be filled with creativity and exploration.
• Open communication with parents helps build a strong school community.
• Effort and perseverance in learning matter more than final results.
• AI should be thoughtfully introduced into the classroom.
• Every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued in their learning journey.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

In this conversation, Simon Jones interviews three Year 7 students from Farringtons School. The students discuss their experiences transitioning from primary school to secondary school, making new friends, and participating in clubs and activities. They also share their favourite subjects and offer advice to younger students. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing new experiences and staying organised.

Keywords

transition, primary school, secondary school, new friends, clubs, activities, favourite subjects, advice, embrace new experiences, organisation

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

In this delightful and insightful episode of Farringtons Features, we dive headfirst into the wonderful world of early years education. Join us for a truly unique conversation as we sit down with some of Farringtons School's most candid (and adorable!) contributors: a group of four-year-olds.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

Welcome to the latest episode of Farringtons Features, where we discuss the rising success of the Farringtons XI Football Team with PE teacher Mr Doherty and pupils. This episode delves into the remarkable ascent of the Farringtons XI football team, chronicling their journey from relative obscurity to a burgeoning local success.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

Welcome to the latest episode of Farringtons Features, where we discuss the launch of the new Luceat Programme. Luceat meaning "to shine," is an innovative program designed to foster curiosity, independence, and essential life skills in young learners, extending education beyond the traditional classroom.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

On this episode we have two guests with us and they’re talking all about the FPA, the Farringtons Parents’ Association. Sophie and Tracey are heavily involved in the FPA which means they’re in the perfect place to explain to us what the FPA actually is, how new parents can contribute to the school community, we hear about the fund raising and how this leads to real projects that benefit the pupils.

It’s a great episode for everyone but especially if you’re a parent and you’d like to understand more about being a part of the school community.

So join us now as Paul leads you through this conversation as we hear from Tracey and Sophie all about the Farringtons Parents’ Association.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

Now this is one of my favourite episodes since we started this school podcast channel and I know you’re going to love it. Because we have four of the Y1 pupils talking to us and they have some sparky energy to share today. Evie, Aiden, Harvey and Ariella tell what life is like when you’re five years old in school, the things they get up to, their favourite places to play, their favourite lessons and what superhero they’d like to be. We also get to find out at the end what they’d like to be when they grow up and I think you’re going to love some of the answers we get from them!

So if you’d like to hear some fun, energetic Y1 pupils talking about life at Farringtons then this is the place for you, in which case come with me now as we dive straight into a conversation with four little VIPs in Y1.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

In this episode we’re getting into poetry in a great way. We’re going to hear from Mr Ben Coulthard in the English department about why poetry is important in school but, importantly, we’re also going to hear from five of the pupils, Jasmine, Zoe-Leigh, Eme, Keira and Isla, to understand from them how it genuinely makes them feel and why they feel it’s important.

But then we’re in for a real treat as each of our students read out a selected poem to us, live on the podcast, so that that we can hear the poems and hear what each person thinks of their chosen poem.

It’s a great episode and I think you’re going to love it. So come with me as we step into poetry with five pupils from school and Mr Ben Coulthard.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

With parents and children often choosing between boarding and day schooling, we ask what's the role of flexi-boarding at Farringtons School? We've asked four Farringtons pupils, along with Simon Smith, who is Assistant Head Pastoral and Head of Boarding, to lift the lid on flexi-boarding, what it is and how it works.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent

In this episode we’re learning about learning, how the children reach their potential at school. Mr Boyjoonauth (Head of Junior School), and Mrs Cryan (Deputy Head, Junior School) are with us for this episode and we’re going to find out how children are stretched at Farringtons, we learn about Philosophy for Children, how the pupils develop a deeper understanding of maths, gifted and talented children and what the scholarship opportunities are.

This is a great episode, we learn a huge amount about life in the Junior School and we think you will too.

So for all that and more, come with us now as we step into a conversation with Mrs Cryan and Mr Boyjoonauth.

Farringtons School online:

Website: www.farringtons.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneFarringtons

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OneFarringtons/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FarringtonsKent