ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

We keep the boys busy whilst allowing unstructured free time too. Our boys love reading and can relax just as they would at home, but with friends on tap.  

Boys love having friends close by each evening and at the weekends for games of football or cricket, table tennis, or simply so they have someone to watch a film  with. There are also plenty of places to chill out.

In the summer months we love being outdoors, enjoying the lighter evenings and the good weather. All activities are supervised. The ‘Puddle’, our outdoor pool, is always popular in the sunshine, as are the cricket nets. Boarders use the whole of the school and (always supervised) activities spill out into neighbouring fields or for a brisk walk up nearby St Catherine’s Hill with Mr Sutherland the Head of Boarding, and his dog, Evie.   

In the winter, when the evenings are darker and chillier, boys still love being outdoors and playing footy under the floodlights or coming home to their boarding house to get cosy with a mug of hot chocolate.

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.

The boarding year begins with the ‘All In Weekend’, where everyone stays on site to settle in and get to know each other. 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 offers a chance for making lots of friends and real connections. 

We understand that boarding, especially across time zones, can feel daunting but staying in touch is easy. Personal phones are securely stored, with set times for calling home, so you are sure to hear from your son! At other times they can use the school landline or email you of course. 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, so that 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 accredited guardianship agency) and the BSA (The Boarding Schools Association), we understand the vital importance of care for boarders who might not go home over exeats and holidays. It is the duty of parents to appoint a 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 and parents are not in the local area. 

Visit AEGIS

Visit BSA

For boys on Child Student Visas a Nominated Guardian is appointed at the time of application and it is the duty of parents to update the school with any changes of name on joining. All contact details and ID must be provided and information given to the school on whereabouts for all exeats, half-term breaks and holidays.