Name: Callum
Age: 15
Nationality: British
School: Friends’ School
Course: GCSEs
How old were you when you started boarding?
I was 11 when I started boarding at Friends’ School. I’m a weekly boarder as I live in London, about an hour away from the School, so it’s easy to go home for the weekends.
Have other members of your family been to boarding school?
My mum boarded when she was young, as did her dad, my grandfather. It was very different in my mum’s day, as she had to share a room with nine others. Now we only have two or three.
How did you find settling into the School?
I was a bit nervous as to how I’d settle in, but the atmosphere was great. The housemaster and the other boarders were really welcoming. It was just as easy settling into the day life too, as the School is friendly and not so big that it was daunting.
What’s boarding life like?
We have a huge field and a wide range of activities to do. Everyone gets along, which is great. I have been with the same roommate since I started at Friends’ and we have a really strong friendship. All the staff are friendly and it really does feel like they are there to help you out and support you when you need it. And the food is really good!
What’s a typical day like?
I get up at about 7am. Breakfast is at 7.30 and we start school by 8.30. We finish classes at 4pm, and now that I’m in Year 10 I can either participate in any of the clubs the School offers or enjoy some free time until dinner. Sometimes I go to town with friends after school, unless we’re involved in a sports fixture. After dinner we have supervised prep and then free time until lights out. There are activities available after prep as well, which is when you can swim, play basketball or indoor football in the sports hall, or go to the drama studio for some drama games.
What’s on offer at the weekend?
There’s a really good selection of activities for boarders, from trips to Thorpe Park, paintballing and go-karting to more relaxed activities like art and cooking. I don’t often go on weekend trips as I’m a weekly boarder, but I wish I could go on a few more.
What’s the best thing about being a boarder?
One of the best things is being with your friends a lot more than you would normally be. You develop really good friendships. I would definitely recommend it to others!
How have you changed since becoming a boarder?
I think I’ve matured a lot and have become more organised. I also think I am more committed to working hard. The supervised prep time gives you structure to get homework completed and an opportunity to study hard.
Name: Hayley
Age: 17
Nationality: British
School: Wycliffe College
Course: A-levels in History, Theatre Studies and English Literature
How did you find settling into boarding life?
I started boarding when I was 11. I have to admit at first I was not looking forward to it as I was nervous about being away from my parents, but I soon settled in as everyone was really nice and the older girls looked after me a lot. My roommates were also new to boarding and it helped that we were all sharing the same experience and going through the same thing together. My older brother had already been at the school for two years, which helped me settle in as he had previously told me all about life at Wycliffe.
What’s boarding school life like?
When I was younger I found boarding so much fun as it was like a sleepover with my best friends every night. As I got older, it was nice having my own room as it gave me more independence. The senior school has given me a chance to prepare for when I go to uni, where I will have to be more independent and do things for myself.
How do find living in your boarding house?
The boarding house is an enjoyable environment to be in, as it allows girls of different ages to interact. There are two common rooms: one for sixth-form girls and one for Years 9 to 11. This allows space between the younger and older girls.
We have social events in house, like the Christmas dinner, where we go out for a meal with a boys’ house followed by a disco. Everyone gets dressed up and we all end up looking gorgeous in our outfits! We also have shopping trips as a house throughout the year, which everyone always looks forward to, as well as barbecues in the summer.
What do you do in your free time?
In the evenings, we relax by watching TV or seeing other friends in their houses. Being in the sixth form gives you a lot more privileges such as going out in the evenings to the cinema or for a meal. This is the same at weekends – usually I go shopping or to a friend’s house for a girlie weekend!
How often do your see your parents?
Even though my family only lives an hour away, I don’t go home much, although it’s always an option. I call my parents every couple of nights to let them know how it’s going. Exeats (leave weekends) take place every couple of weeks, so I get to go home and see my family then, which is always nice.
What’s the best thing about being a boarder?
The best thing about being a boarder is being able to gain independence for myself and be around my friends every day. I would definitely recommend boarding, as it makes you more independent. There is, however, an element of freedom that is taken from you as a boarder, which you have to be prepared for.
Name: Sophie
Age: 18
Nationality: British
School: Badminton School
Course: A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths
How long have you been boarding?
My younger sister and I first started boarding when I was inYear 5. We were full boarders until Year 7, when our family moved closer to Bristol – we have both been weekly boarders ever since.
Why did you choose Badminton?
My dad’s in the Royal Engineers and is out of the country a lot. My parents thought that school could be a stable place for us. We had close family friends, also in the Army, who already had two children at Badminton and recommended it. Of course, my parents probably looked more at the calibre of the School and what it could do for us, than the fact that it had the most amazing ‘rough patch’ adventure play area!
What was it like as a new girl?
My first memory of the School is walking up the Junior School steps and the housemistress coming up and giving me a great big hug, and saying ‘Welcome to Badminton, Sophie!’ When my sister and I came for visits and ‘taster’ stays, we thought it was very Harry Potter-ish and boarding felt like one big sleepover. But after about a week it becomes very normal. Badminton parents and girls are very proactive; you really do not feel the ‘new girl’ for long. I made really good friends quickly and, nine years on, the same girls are still some of my closest friends.
What do you like about boarding?
People tend to respect other people’s space, but you always have someone there if you need help. A lot of the time we just go to the common room to sit with our mags and books, watch telly or chat with our huge mugs of tea – we’re all tea addicts!
How do you cope with being at school and then going home?
My own room in the Sixth Form Centre feels just as much ‘home’ as my family home does. When I go home I am so used to being organised, and doing mundane things such as laundry, that I feel incredibly guilty when I let my mum do any of it!
What’s it like being a boarder from a Forces family?
When you board you are already away from home, so the only difference is that your home moves around! I have friends at school who also have parents in the Forces, so there is always someone to talk to. My teachers knew when my dad was in Afghanistan, and I got the impression that they were keeping an eye on me. If I wanted to discuss anything I also had friends who had been in the same situation and understood.
How do you feel about leaving Badminton?
I am in limbo between being ready to go and not wanting to leave Badminton. In a way it’s like leaving home, but we’re better prepared for the next step. I’m leaving a place where I have truly enjoyed myself – I can’t imagine being anywhere else!