About the school
Fernhill Driving School (sample) has taught Springfield to drive since 2004: four instructors, five dual-control cars and one record for every learner.
Started on one quiet street
Joanna Patel gave her first lessons on Elm Road, the street where our office still is (sample). She wrote each learner’s skills on an index card and filled in a box after every lesson. The card became the record we use today.
- Lessons from your door across Springfield (sample)
- The same instructor for every lesson
- No pass rates, no promises: just what you can do and what comes next
Every skill goes through five levels
After each lesson you and your instructor fill in the record together. A box is filled only when you both agree.
1
Introduced
Your instructor explains and shows you, then you try it with full help.
2
Talked through
You do it while your instructor talks you through each step.
3
Prompted
You do it yourself; your instructor reminds you at the right moment.
4
Seldom prompted
You get it right almost every time, with the odd reminder.
5
Independent
You do it safely without help, in any traffic. Your instructor sits quietly.
We suggest booking the practical test when most rows are at level 4, because test dates are often weeks away. You take it when every row is ticked. Nobody can tell you in advance how many hours that takes, and we will not guess.
How we teach
Short explanations, then you drive. Every lesson starts with what the last one ended on.
Look at the record
Five minutes at the start: what you did last time and what this lesson works on.
Drive
Most of the hour is driving, on roads chosen for the skill: quiet streets first, busier roads later.
Fill in the boxes
Five minutes at the end, parked: what went well, what moves up a level, what comes next.
The instructors
Four instructors (sample), each with their own dual-control car.
Joanna Patel
Manual and automatic (sample)
Nervous learners and first lessons. Teaching since 2011.
Marcus Lee
Automatic (sample)
Intensive weeks and fast roads. Former bus driver trainer.
Elena Ruiz
Manual (sample)
Refreshers and drivers licensed abroad. Teaches in English and Spanish.
Rob Okafor
Manual and automatic (sample)
Evening and weekend lessons, test preparation.
Ask us anything before you book
Call the office or send the form. We will tell you honestly whether lessons with us suit you.