Full Boarding
There is nothing that can rival Full Boarding for being the best way for young people to learn to be independent, make good decisions, help others, manage their time and form strong friendships. Through full boarding, pupils benefit from being part of a caring and compassionate house and from the tremendous opportunities for activities around our wonderful campus. The vast majority of our boarders are full boarders and stay throughout the week and at weekends.
The week and weekend structures enable pupils to keep on top of their academic commitments, enjoy living with friends, and participate in a vibrant activity programme that helps develop character and broaden their minds. Although the weekend activity programme is rich and varied, we ensure there is time for boarders to relax and have a healthy balance of work and downtime.
The relationships which develop amongst our full boarders are extremely strong. The sense of community is apparent to all that speak with our boarders.
Parents are actively involved in their child’s life and are encouraged to attend sports matches, plays, concerts, and significant events. Pupils return home for exeats, half-terms and the end of term. In addition to this, parents can request ‘privs’ from their Housemaster/Housemistress (HM) for weekends outside of the regular term breaks, and many parents develop a stronger relationship with their child as a result of enjoying quality time at home and leaving the transactional conversations to HMs at school.
Weekly Boarding
Weekly boarding involves arriving on a Sunday evening so prep can be completed and boarding through to Friday afternoon at the end of school commitments.
Day Boarding
We offer Three-Day boarding for pupils aged 9-15 years old wanting a taste of boarding before moving to Full Boarding. This is three consecutive days of boarding so pupils can experience living in a boarding house. Pupils start on Sunday evening until Wednesday.
According to their timetable, Sixth Form boarders can benefit from three-day boarding with a more flexible approach to their start day Sixth formers can start on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Day-Boarding FAQs
- If my child becomes a day-boarder, who will be responsible for his/her pastoral care and who will be my first point of contact?
The Boarding HM - Can my child board for any three nights each week?
Children will board for three consecutive nights. Start days will be Sunday. - Will my child still have a locker in his/her old house common room?
No, this will not be necessary because more storage will be available in the boarding house - How many meals are included in day-boarding?
In addition to the normal lunch, day-boarders may have meals beginning with supper on the day of arrival and they should make arrangements to leave school at the normal day pupils’ pick-up time on the day after their last night of boarding each week - Can we choose four nights instead of three?
No, but in exceptional circumstances, day-boarders may be accommodated for more than the routine three nights weekly - How much notice is required to opt-out if we don’t want to continue?
In common with other changes of status, one term’s notice should be provided - Can my full-boarding child opt for day-boarding and how do we do so?
Full-boarders may opt for day-boarding with one term’s notice - My child does not wish to board but have an extended day until after supper, every day. Is this possible?
Not currently, but we are looking into the possibility of this for younger children who do not have a boarding option. - Does my child attend boarding house check-in, whilst attending during a non-boarding day?
Yes - Can my child elect to attend weekend boarding activities?
Weekend boarding activities are provided for full boarders - Will my child attend the boarding-only activities [currently Christmas supper, barbecues, House Shout, etc]?
Yes, house events at which all children are expected will include day-boarders and additional accommodation without charge will be available for such involuntary activities - Will my child have access to the boarding house laundry service?
Yes, the laundry service is available to day-boarders - Will my child be expected to arrive at the beginning of each term on the evening before lessons?
No, they may arrive on the day of their first routine overnight stay in the House. - Will my child’s bed and locker space be exclusively theirs through the term?
Yes, the house will be their base. - How much will the various types of boarding cost?
The fees for each option are explained on the fee schedule.
- If my child becomes a day-boarder, who will be responsible for his/her pastoral care and who will be my first point of contact?
The Boarding HM - Can my child board for any three nights each week?
Sixth formers will board for three consecutive nights. Start days will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. We anticipate that the Wednesday to Saturday option may be popular as it covers Friday night prior to Saturday morning lessons. - Must we choose the same days each week?
No, for sixth formers there is flexibility. HMs request that parents notify them with at least 48 hours’ notice. - Will my child still have a locker in his/her old house common room?
No, this will not be necessary because more storage will be available in the boarding house and the child is a member of the boarding house. - How many meals are included in day-boarding?
In addition to the normal lunch, day-boarders may have meals beginning with supper on the day of arrival and they should make arrangements to leave school at the normal day pupils’ pick-up time on the day after their last night of boarding each week - Can we choose four nights instead of three?
No, but in exceptional circumstances day-boarders may be accommodated for more than the routine three nights weekly - How much notice is required to opt out if we don’t want to continue?
In common with other changes of status, one term’s notice should be provided - Does my child attend boarding house check-in, whilst attending during a non-boarding day?
Yes- your child is a member of the boarding house at all times and will represent the House in all events - Can my child elect to attend weekend boarding activities?
Weekend boarding activities are provided for full boarders - Will my child attend the boarding-only activities [currently Christmas supper, barbecues, House Shout, etc]?
Yes, boarding house events at which all children are expected will include day-boarders and additional accommodation without charge will be available for such involuntary activities - Will my child have access to the boarding house laundry service?
Yes, the laundry service is available to the day-boarders - At the start of term, will my child be expected to arrive at the beginning of each term on the evening before lessons ( ie. when the rest of the boarders arrive)?
No, they may arrive on the day of their first routine overnight stay in the House. However it may be beneficial for them to return the night before with the other boarders, just at the start of term, to establish a good routine for the week ahead. - Will my child’s bed and locker space be exclusively theirs through the term?
Yes, the house will be their base. - How much will the various types of boarding cost?
The fees for each option are explained on the fee schedule.