Our Modern Boarding Ethos

Boarding Life

We are one of the largest boarding schools in the UK and one of the very few schools to offer an authentic full modern boarding ethos. Our identity as a school is defined by this ethos and the opportunities that it affords our pupils. The fact that we are either all in or all out across our senior Houses gives continuity to our boarding community and importantly, gives friendship to pupils across the week.

It also means that in term time, we are able genuinely to envisage the seven day week as the canvas on which we paint our pupils’ education. Day pupils too benefit from this breadth of opportunity beyond a normal School day, while returning to their own homes at night.

Being true to what we value

We understand that children develop at different rates and stages, with different needs along the way: outstanding teaching, pastoral care and resources are therefore vital.
We understand that children and teenagers value intensely their friendships and being with their friends: boarding gives a unique context in which to grow up happily and securely.
We understand that the 18-year-old leaver cannot be the end-point of any school’s vision: we must support each child to develop the authentic confidence with which to continue to learn and to contribute to society throughout adult life.
We understand the deep satisfaction of academic study and the life of the mind: of reading and discovering, debating and challenging, thinking and reflecting.
We understand the irreplaceable contribution of school life beyond the taught curriculum to a child’s growth and self-belief: our boarding ethos gives all our pupils the breathing space truly to value opportunity.

Our boarding community