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Choosing state boarding State boarding schools are often described as ‘education’s bestkept secret’. Certainly I meet many prospective parents who have found the sector almost by chance and who once introduced are impressed by the range of facilities, types of school and examination results across our
Jonathan Taylor Chief Executive Officer, Sapientia Education Trust (SET) and Executive Principal, Wymondham College and Wymondham College Prep School
schools. State boarding is available at
annually, eventually reaching its capacity
the time of writing to all EU-qualified
of 452 pupils. The school is located on the
pupils and the education is provided
same site as Wymondham College, enabling
free of charge, so parents only pay for
the children of the Prep School to access
boarding.
teaching expertise from both the Prep
School and the College. The Prep School will State boarding schools vary considerably by
also draw on the expertise of the Sapientia
size and location but they all share a strong
Education Trust (SET), which was founded
commitment to the value of boarding and
by Wymondham College and incorporates
provide excellent facilities and systems of
16 schools in Norfolk and Suffolk. For more
care. In total around 5,000 pupils enjoy
information, go to www.se-trust.org
boarding in a diverse, varied and hugely successful range of schools. The sector
Wymondham College has around 650
consists of large mixed non-selective
boarders and offers a strong academic
schools, free schools, grammar schools
curriculum combined with excellent pastoral
and schools that offer mixed or single-sex
care. We were judged to be Outstanding in
education.
every area in our latest Ofsted inspections
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE I firmly believe boarding adds significant value to young people, developing their independence, resilience and self-esteem. In 2016 three state boarding schools were in the top 20 non-selective state schools at GCSE and state boarding schools topped the league tables in three regions of the country. University entrance rates are very high, with Russell Group and Oxbridge entry well above national averages. At Wymondham College we usually secure ten Oxbridge places each year with more than 50 per cent going on to Russell Group universities. And it’s not just academic success – several England rugby players attended state boarding schools.
for education and boarding. Typically we
State boarding schools may offer single-sex
Although most state boarding schools
run more than 65 weekly extra-curricular
boarding or mixed boarding. Some have
offer secondary places, primary boarding
activities, a wide range of international trips
boarding houses covering the entire school
is available too. Wymondham College Prep
and visits and have a strong commitment
age while others divide into key stages or
School opened its doors in September 2020
to sport, music, drama, CCF and the Duke
run a separate sixth-form boarding house.
to its founding cohort of 60 Reception-
of Edinburgh’s Award. We offer 27 different
They all offer strong systems of pastoral
aged pupils. In September 2021, the school
A-level courses but other state boarding
support and care, ensuring pupils are well
welcomed its first cohort of Year 5 and Year
schools provide different pathways, for
known by staff and their individual needs are
6 boarders, who will experience life at the
example the IB is available in some schools
catered for. Pupil-voice activities are strongly
Prep School before having the option of
and others offer an excellent range of
promoted and pupils are given opportunities
applying to join Wymondham College. Over
vocational courses.
to lead and contribute to their schools.
the next seven years, the school will grow
Boarding houses are homely with soft
