Boarding at Pilgrims’

‘We go all out to make boarders feel at home,  providing a secure, relaxed and happy place to be. In an ever-changing world, modern boarding at Pilgrims’ represents an opportunity for boys to become forward-thinking members of society who value diversity and naturally contribute to a community. They develop independence, self-discipline, self-esteem and a lifelong predisposition to look out for our friends and neighbours’.

Matt Sutherland, Head of Boarding.

We have 100 boarding places, for boys from Year 4 onwards. When school wraps up after Saturday matches, our flexible arrangements mean boarders can either stay at school or go home, as long as they’re back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for Monday morning. Those who stay with us enjoy varied trips, activities and excellent meals prepared by our chefs.

Find out about boarding at The Pilgrims' School

Our aim for each boarder is that he: 

  • Learns to acknowledge his own needs and feelings, and those of others, and to be sensitive towards both 
  • Learns to be adaptable and flexible in his relationships 
  • Learns the importance of playing his part in the functioning of a community 
  • Learns to develop a sense of responsibility for himself and others 
  • Will enjoy strong connections with his peers and find a sense of belonging 
  • Will develop a sense of organisation and self-discipline 
  • Will learn to value friendship, trust and loyalty  
  • Will learn to be responsible for his own health and hygiene  

We promote one integrated community between the two boarding houses at Pilgrims’, so the only real distinction between day boys who aren’t Choristers or Quiristers, and boarders is that the boarders sleep at school!   

Choristers and Quiristers also both have busy and parallel timetables and there is no competition between the two choral foundations: they regularly perform together and there’s no distinction between the two boarding houses either.   

Boys from boarding houses and day boys play games together, work in class together, play instruments together and are in our ‘Sets’, (what you might know as houses) together.  There’s no differentiation; all our boys are seamlessly integrated, you’d never know who boards and who doesn’t.   

PREPARATION FOR SENIOR SCHOOL 

If your son is likely to board at senior school, the secure, nurturing environment of boarding at Pilgrims’ is a great way to help him prepare and to acquire the skills he’ll find invaluable to being a happy, thriving member of a senior boarding community.  

We are frequently told by the housemasters of senior schools that the boys who have previously boarded find it much easier to settle in and adjust to the new routines, freedoms and independence.   

Taster boarding sessions are offered to boys currently at the school, when possible, to see if they might like to board one day. Even if your son is not intending to board at senior school, he may decide that he would like to enjoy the experience and independence of boarding with us here at Pilgrims’.  

SUPERVISED PREP

A distinct advantage of boarding is that prep, or homework as you might know it, is closely supervised. Staff are on hand to help, and younger boys are always influenced by industrious senior boys setting a good example.  Boarders learn to organise prep to work efficiently, completing the task within the allocated time so they can then enjoy the down time with friends. These are crucial skills which will stand him in good stead throughout his life in education.   

Very much like the top schools they go onto, from Year 8 boarders have individual study cubicles in a communal study room, known as ‘Toys’. Here they can further develop an independent and proactive approach to their learning and preparation for exams and assessments. 

SUPPORTED MUSIC PRACTICE

If he plays an instrument, your son has come to the right place! He will be given time and space to practice; always supervised to make sure time is being used well! He can always do more practice at other times, but we find boys like practising at the same time as their friends – plus it means there’s always an experienced musician on hand to help.