Why boarding?

At Ashfold we truly believe that boarding broadens and enhances the educational experience of children outside of the classroom, beyond the usual school day.

Ashfold offers a flexible bespoke boarding model which allows children to board as little or as often as they like, at their own pace; taking into consideration the working demands and commitments of the parents, and travel requirements of each week. We are delighted that many boarders choose to board regularly, either on certain nights of a week or indeed for a few nights a week. Regular boarding allows pupils to reap the benefits of the full family boarding ethos that we aim to achieve as children build strong relationships with the boarding team and their fellow boarders.

We strive to create an environment which is inclusive and nurturing across all year groups, and one in which the children feel safe and confident to express themselves. We know that children develop independence through a strong model of dependency, and in partnership with each family, we aim to foster each child’s independence whilst considering what are appropriate expectations for their age, stage and individual character.

For some, being away from home may seem a daunting prospect, but children are generally extremely adaptable at an early age. Each child will settle into boarding life at their own pace and it is a privilege to witness each child’s confidence, organisation and independence progress over time, seeing them go on to take responsibility for supporting and guiding others who are new to boarding.

A happy and successful boarding experience depends on many factors such as a child’s desire to give boarding a go, close and regular communication between parents and the Housemistress, careful liaison and collaborative care with the child’s tutor and teachers in school, and most importantly listening to the children and involving them with how their boarding experience feels and evolves.

Boarding at Prep school can be enormously beneficial for a child’s preparation for their future senior school, especially if a family is considering a boarding school. Being familiar with a boarding model and feeling secure in a boarding environment and its workings, can help the transition to a new school be much smoother.

We follow the core values of the Ashfold ABC and, as a boarding community, are able to add further emphasis on “Respect, Routine and Responsibility”. We look forward to welcoming your children to The Boarding Wing.

"The outcomes for boarders are excellent"

"Boarders are articulate, polite and sociable"

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