Schools with a military history Several schools in the UK have a
These schools have a strong Combined
on the school’s website and you will want
military history, for example, Queen
Cadet Force (CCF). Each school will have
to visit the school. Before the visit, you
Victoria School (QVS), The Duke of
different entry points for the CCF and
should draw up a list of questions specific
York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS),
different lengths of time a boarder is a
to the school.
The Royal Hospital School (RHS),
member of the CCF. You can clarify this
Pangbourne College and Gordon’s
on your visit to the school. Because the
Schools with a military history have strong
School. All these schools maintain
military has such strong music traditions,
reputations, but you need to ensure the
their military connections and are
these schools are also strong in music and
school is right for your child’s skills and
proud of their military background.
not just in their military bands.
interests.
Apart from Queen Victoria School, they welcome applications from
As with choosing any school, boarders
boarders without a military
and their families should ensure they have
connection, although many boarders
all the information they need about the
come from Service families.
school. Initial research can be undertaken
Being a boarder at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School Being a boarder at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS) since September 2020 has been a new experience for me. The school has quickly become my home away from home where I have made new friends. The pastoral staff – my houseparents, matrons and tutors – helped me to settle in very quickly. Like all my friends, I was nervous about starting a new school (especially a boarding school when I would be away from my parents) but from the first day here I felt secure, cared for and inspired.
“The school has quickly become my home away from home.”
I have enjoyed all the lessons with science
In my boarding house, I share my dorm
Since starting at DOYRMS, I have learnt
becoming my favourite subject because
with other girls and we have made very
so much in my lessons but also useful
of the experiments we get to enjoy in the
close bonds – I know we will be friends
life skills such as making my bed. My
laboratories. There are many clubs and
for life. There is lots of space in our
parents are really proud to hear from
activities to take part in and we even have
boarding house including day rooms
the school staff about my hard work and
our own athletics track, indoor heated
and quiet rooms and we have access to
determination, and my teachers believe I
pool, fitness suite and two climbing walls!
games consoles, Sky TV and lots of DVDs.
am working above my predicted grades.
When new students arrive at the school
The school’s dining hall reminds me of
Overall, I have loved being a boarder at
they are issued with their own laptops
Hogwarts from Harry Potter and it serves
DOYRMS because of the friends I have
which has been really useful in the
very tasty meals. We go to breakfast,
made and the new experiences on offer.
classroom, prep and free time. We get to
lunch and dinner as a boarding house,
take these home with us during school
but the whole school eats together which
holidays too. There is wi-fi throughout the
makes us feel like a large Dukie family. As
school and we are allowed our phones
everyone is a boarder at the school, sixth-
during free time so keeping in touch with
formers are on hand to help us and there
our parents is easy.
are always staff around if we need them.
