'Studying and living at a UK boarding school is an exciting experience and you’ll quickly feel at home in your new environment.'
A typical day
UK boarding schools accommodate pupils from the ages of seven to 18 and the routine of a boarder will vary depending on his or her age.
UK boarding schools accommodate pupils from the ages of seven to 18 and the routine of a boarder will vary depending on his or her age.
A typical day at boarding school will begin with breakfast, usually at around 7.30am. This will be followed by registration and possibly an assembly. You will then have several lessons (and a break) before lunch. Lessons may continue after lunch, although on some days the afternoon will be devoted to sport.
When the school day ends pupils will return to their boarding houses for activities, free time or ‘prep’ (private study) followed by dinner. After this, pupils will do a couple more hours of further study followed by bedtime.
If you are studying for qualifications such as GCSEs (usually between the ages of 14-16) or A-levels (17-18 year olds) you'll be required to increase your study hours.
When the school day ends pupils will return to their boarding houses for activities, free time or ‘prep’ (private study) followed by dinner. After this, pupils will do a couple more hours of further study followed by bedtime.
If you are studying for qualifications such as GCSEs (usually between the ages of 14-16) or A-levels (17-18 year olds) you'll be required to increase your study hours.
Weekends usually involve both activities and study, alongside plenty of free time too. Older students may be permitted to travel into the nearest town for an afternoon.
Accommodation
Accommodation
If you live in a dormitory you will have your own bed and cupboard or storage area. Washing and bathroom facilities are close by and you will able to bring items from home to help you settle in. If you live in a private or shared room then you may have your own desk and extra storage space. Certain older students' rooms may also have private bathrooms.
Boarding houses are looked after by members of staff called house masters or matrons, who will also usually live in or near the house. They are are there to supervise pupils, provide academic and emotional support and oversee pupils' welfare.
The house system
When students arrive at many UK boarding schools they are placed in a 'house'. Students are members of their house from their arrival until they leave school and houses will compete in these groups in sports, drama festivals and other competitions.
You can often achieve points for your house for good behavior and work. At the end of an academic year a house cup may be awarded to the house with the highest number of points. Boarding schools will typically have four houses, though others have fewer or sometimes as many as seven or eight.
The house system is an excellent way to make friends, and older students from your house may be appointed to mentor you during your first years at boarding school.
Pupils will often board with others who are also in their house. Boarding areas are single-sex and generally younger students will share a dormitory, while older students may have a shared, or their own, room.
My experience: Diana Cherdabayev from Kazakhstan
My experience: Benedict Weissheimer from Germany
The house system
When students arrive at many UK boarding schools they are placed in a 'house'. Students are members of their house from their arrival until they leave school and houses will compete in these groups in sports, drama festivals and other competitions.
You can often achieve points for your house for good behavior and work. At the end of an academic year a house cup may be awarded to the house with the highest number of points. Boarding schools will typically have four houses, though others have fewer or sometimes as many as seven or eight.
The house system is an excellent way to make friends, and older students from your house may be appointed to mentor you during your first years at boarding school.
Pupils will often board with others who are also in their house. Boarding areas are single-sex and generally younger students will share a dormitory, while older students may have a shared, or their own, room.
My experience: Diana Cherdabayev from Kazakhstan
My experience: Benedict Weissheimer from Germany
