The CFS Approach
Optimum Omnibus - the best for all
CFS has a focus on academic excellence, with high aspirations for all students, regardless of background. Our aim is to produce confident, independent learners who have a broad understanding of all the major areas of knowledge. We prepare each child for their future, giving them a strong foundation in numeracy, literacy and a full range of other traditional subject areas, as well as the skills to succeed in life. Additionally, we extend our pupils' experiences by offering opportunities to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Cobham Free School is non-denominational, accepting children from all faiths or none, from all backgrounds and beliefs - we value the cultural diversity which serves to enhance and enrich our community.
“Cobham Free School offers an excellent education to pupils from reception through to sixth form, allowing them to achieve academic success, develop their individual talents and ensure they acquire skills in preparation for their future careers. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of generations of children to come." Cobham Free School Trust.
Music
Music is a key strength at CFS and we have a close collaboration with the world famous Yehudi Menuhin School. We offer an exceptional instrumental tuition programme, free of charge, as part of the music curriculum. This enables pupils to learn brass, string or woodwind instruments in small groups. There is also an opportunity for more contemporary music-making through the development of band skills.
We believe music has a positive impact on cognitive, emotional and social development. Music increases pupils’ ability to work collaboratively, improving their focus, self-confidence and self-esteem. These attributes impact on behaviour and learning in the classroom and contribute to academic success.
Languages
In order to achieve our aims for excellence in language tuition pupils receive a highly structured and carefully planned programme. This includes opportunities to extend learning with workshops and residentials.
From reception upwards children have Spanish lessons. Additionally, Latin is offered from Year 7 and there is an option to learn Ancient Greek.
Smaller Classes
Junior department classes have a published admissions number of just 24 and senior form groups are capped at 26. This allows for more individual attention from teachers, for special needs children to be identified and supported appropriately and for higher ability pupils to be challenged and stretched.
As a result of the smaller class sizes and additional support provided by teaching assistants, pupil to staff ratios are excellent across Cobham Free School.
Innovative ICT
The school has an exciting and pioneering cloud-based approach to ICT, with all pupils from reception upwards having their own Chromebook computers. The use of Google apps for education allows pupils and staff to collaborate and work securely on documents together from anywhere in the world and access information from the web within seconds. Pupils learn both how to use programs and also how to write their own.
Sport
Our partnership with Cobham Rugby Club and Chelsea Football Club Foundation enables us to provide a full and varied range of sports coaching. Pupils across the Key Stages benefit from high quality teaching from specialists and opportunities to participate in competitive fixtures against other schools. Our main school is adjacent to the Cobham Rugby Club and we have use of their facilities during term time, including access to an international standard, artificial grass pitch. Our own facilities include provision for netball, smart new sports hall and dance/fitness studio.
Extended Day
Our longer school day ensures pupils have access to an exciting and broad range of extra-curricular activities, with most being free of charge .
To help working parents, we offer chargeable wrap around care run by an external provider. 'Earlybirds' opens at 7.30 and includes a light breakfast.
After school care, 'Nightingales', is also available for junior pupils until 18:00 at both sites. Additionally there is a supervised study session available for senior pupils using the school bus service.
Pupil Premium
The CFS admissions policy gives priority to a percentage of local children who are eligible for pupil premium, in the case that the school is oversubscribed. This is to encourage families from the most deprived parts of Cobham to apply.
Although Cobham is generally viewed as an affluent area, there are pockets of deprivation (a food bank has opened in the area).
CFS aims to provide the best possible education for local children of all backgrounds.
House System
The school is organised in House groups for some pastoral and competitive activities.
The groups allow pupils to mix with children and staff from different departments, to feel part of a team and to take on leadership roles.
The Houses are named after our local links:
Menuhin
Chelsea
Combe
Peel