ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

As well as enjoying the after-school activities, it is important that the boys also have free, unstructured time to read, relax and to create their own entertainment, just as they would at home. 

There are always friends close by each evening and at the weekends for a game of football, cricket, basketball or table tennis, or simply for company while watching a film in the boarders’ Common Room. There are also plenty of benches, bean bags and sofas dotted around the school to spend some time out with a good book. 

In the summer months, the boys prefer to be outdoors, enjoying the lighter evenings and the good weather.   All activities are supervised. The Puddle, our outdoor pool, is popular in the sunshine, as are the cricket nets. Boarders use the whole of the school grounds, and (always supervised) evening activities spill out into the fields or by the river. 

In the winter, when the evenings are darker and chillier, activities become more school-based, though boys can often be found playing football under the floodlights or enjoying a mug of hot chocolate and popcorn, watching a film together in the cinema room. 

WEEKENDS

Full boarders enjoy regular time away from school, with Sunday outings a highlight of the week. Thanks to our location, there is plenty to do nearby – from mountain biking in the New Forest and trips to Twickenham or Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, to beach days, trampolining, or simply relaxing with a riverside walk and ice cream.

Boys may also spend weekends with friends (with parental permission), and families are informed of all trips in advance.

The boarding year begins with the ‘All In Weekend’, where everyone stays on site to settle in and get to know each other, ending with a memorable trip to Paultons Park. Other highlights include the Christmas term’s black-tie dinner and Boarders’ Cabaret, and a special end-of-year ‘Boarders Only’ celebration, culminating in a midnight swim for Year 8.

Throughout the year, boarders also enjoy a wide range of activities, from BBQs and themed suppers to karaoke and film nights, all great fun and screen-free.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Boarding fosters genuine friendships and offers a welcome break from screen time.

We understand that boarding, especially across time zones, can feel daunting, but staying in touch is easy. While phones are securely stored, boys can use them at set times to contact home. They also have access to email, video calls, and house phones, and parents can reach them via boarding mobiles or landlines.

We help you find the best times to connect, so calls feel natural and well-timed.

Parents are kept closely involved through regular communication and social events, helping you feel part of the community wherever you are. Before joining, families visit the school, meet staff, and are paired with a current parent for support. We also provide additional help where language may be a barrier.

 

GUARDIANS 

As members of AEGIS, the school understands the vital importance of care for boarders who might not return home over exeats and holidays. It is the parents’ duty to appoint a Nominated Guardian who, along with being a consistent and involved part of a boarder’s experience, must be able to reach the school at short notice at all times, should the need arise. 

In so many ways our world is more connected than ever but often more at odds than ever. Boarding offers a true opportunity for different cultures, race, religion, and views to come together to learn and grow. 

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