Boarding at Bolitho

We welcome international students, both from English and non-English speaking countries. Technology is causing the world to become increasingly small and borderless, so we actively cultivate an international outlook to bring new perspectives and to widen horizons.

Most of our international students choose to live in one of our boarding houses, and we encourage this as it helps them integrate into school life.

Boarding during the week

Like the day pupils, our boarders have busy and full days.

Their day begins at 7.15 am when the juniors wash and dress under supervision while the seniors prepare themselves for the day. Breakfast is a relaxed and communal event.

The school day is the same for boarders and day pupils alike, with lessons, lunch and activities. When activities have finished boarders do their homework in supervised classrooms. As for day pupils, the amount of homework depends on age.

After dinner the juniors are helped to prepare for bedtime while the seniors finish their homework.

The children can then relax in their rooms or common rooms, chat with the house parents and boarding staff, or join in the organised evening activity.

Bedtime is staggered according to age. The number of children in each room varies from one to four also according to age.

On Fridays weekly boarders can leave from 4pm onwards. Most return on Sunday evenings and some on Monday mornings. Our minibus service is available by arrangement on Fridays and Mondays to take children all or part of the way. See School Transport.

Weekend boarders

After a full and busy week it’s important for our boarders to recharge their batteries but it’s equally important they have something to do!

The weekends are a great opportunity to get out and about. Usually there is an outing, for example, camping, swimming, surfing, going to a concert, play or cinema, or seeing places of local and historical interest.

We provide a variety of enjoyable, educational activities to give children a complete break from their weekday routine. As far as possible we aim to meet individual needs and preferences.

Boarders are often invited out by day students for the weekend. We encourage this, with parental approval, as it helps to maintain the excellent interaction between day pupils and boarders.

Sixth form accommodation

Sixth form boarders live in two single-sex boarding houses situated off campus, five minutes walk from school.

Sixth form students enjoy a level of independence that is a little different to living on the main campus. However, houseparents are always on hand to offer advice and guidance.

Both the school campus and the sixth form houses are almost completely covered by a wireless network with access to broadband internet.