We aim for the boarding house to be a second home for your child. Parents are personally and actively included in the life of their child. They are kept in touch with their child's experience of boarding through a weekly email from our houseparent. Parents also attend welcome barbecues and parents and guardians are free to visit their child whenever is convenient to them by arrangement with the houseparent. Our boarding house  assistants are teachers that know the pupils very well and pastoral care and personal well-being are at the heart of our boarding ethos. We provide a broad and balanced range of social activities that form part of  each boarders'  individual boarding plan that personalises their weekend allowing a programme of study, creative, community service, sporting, educational and relaxation activities. As well as Full time Boarders we also welcome Flexi Boarders, this may be for a full or  part of a week, or a weekend; on a one off basis, or for a regular time slot. Pupils are also welcome to try a taster sleep over.

 

Our boarding house, known as 'Broadstairs' is a two block, two storey building securely located within the school grounds. There is a utility room, kitchen facilities where boarders can prepare snacks, relax and chill out.  The Common Room has comfortable seating, video and digital TV facilities, internet access, a range of board and WII games and a range of books that can be borrowed. Also situated within the ground floor lobby is a private telephone booth for sole use by boarders. There are lovely garden areas nearby where the boarders can enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

 

Each study bedroom can be personalised by the boarder, has a comfortable bed, a bedside cabinet/chest of drawers with a lockable drawer, a wardrobe, a desk (with lamp) and a bookshelf. Pillows and duvets are supplied however; boarders can bring their own duvet covers if they wish.  Separate bathrooms with shower facilities are available. The rooms are bright and airy with attractive curtains and facilities for boarders to display pictures/posters etc.  There are both single and double study bedrooms and all boarders may have to share their room if they are allocated a double room with either a flexi boarder for a short time or a full boarder for longer.

Please do contact our houseparent Mr. Marcus Sipson for a personal tour or to talk about our Full Time or Flexi Boarding here.

"Recently, I did some flexi-boarding for a few nights while my mum was in Helsinki. I went on a Sunday and left on the Tuesday night. It was a very enjoyable experience and I knew some of the boarders there already, Sophia, Ruksy and Ebun, which was good. It also gave me a chance to get to know some of the other sixth-formers who come from around the world.
 

Previously on the Sunday, the boarders had been swimming and then had gone to McDonalds (where Rusky promptly left her phone on the table). They do different activities each weekend, including golf, shopping, etc. I arrived at about four o’clock and settled into Sophia’s room nicely before cracking on with some homework (due in for the next day). 

That night we all had Spaghetti Bolognese, cooked by Marcus and his wife, while sitting around the big table in the kitchen. Then, after a quick nip home as I had forgotten my shirts for the next two days, the boarders and myself sat down to watch ‘X-Factor’; a very important part of the weekend. It was great fun watching it with all of them and slightly hilarious at times, especially when Rusky started crying when her favourite boy didn’t get through!
 

The next day was school as usual until 4.30pm, and then we had some free time until 5.45pm where you could either do clubs or go to Sherfield village for a while. At about 5.45pm we went to the dining room where there was a choice of different foods. 
 

Next it was homework time in the cottage, where the sixth formers, Nick (who had joined us) and I did an hour or so depending on how much each of us had. We all got on with it, listening to music and eating our ‘brain food’ (aka sweets) which we had bought from the Sherfield Shop earlier.
 

After about 1½ hours homework, Nick, Marie and I went to get a cup of tea and then into the pool room for some chill-out time. Then in came Seraj, Babek and Berke, who promptly began a tickle war with me and Nick. 
 

At 9.30pm, we all went back to the boarding house and into our separate areas before Sophia and I hit lights-out at 10.30pm.
 

The whole experience was incredibly enjoyable and I definitely recommend it, even if it’s just for a night or two as I did. You learn to live with new people and make some great friends. :D"