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Choosing state boarding State boarding schools are often described as ‘education’s best kept 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 schools. State boarding is available at the time of writing to all EU-qualified pupils and the education is provided free of charge, so parents only pay for the boarding element.
Dan Browning Headteacher, Wymondham College
State boarding schools vary considerably
seven years, the school will grow annually,
attending or the proximity of the school
by size and location but they all share
eventually reaching its capacity of 452
to an RAF station or Army garrison. This
a strong commitment to the value of
pupils. The school is located on the same
link is often further developed through the
boarding and provide excellent facilities
site as Wymondham College, enabling
Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which is an
and systems of care. In total around 5,000
the children of the Prep School to access
integral part of the school. For example,
pupils enjoy boarding in a diverse, varied
teaching expertise from both the Prep
at Wymondham College we have more
and hugely successful range of schools.
School and the College. The Prep School
than 200 pupils in our Army and RAF
The sector consists of large mixed non-
will also draw on the expertise of the
CCF sections which gives our students
selective schools, free schools, grammar
Sapientia Education Trust (SET), which
opportunities to learn new skills and travel
schools and schools that offer mixed or
was founded by Wymondham College and
the world.
single-sex education.
incorporates 16 schools in Norfolk and
Although most state boarding schools
Suffolk. For more information, go to
At Wymondham College we have around
www.se-trust.org
650 boarders, offering a strong academic curriculum combined with excellent
offer secondary places, primary boarding is available too. Wymondham College Prep
Many children from Service families attend
pastoral care. We were judged to be
School opened its doors in September
state boarding schools (typically more than
Outstanding in every area in our latest
2020 to its founding cohort of 60
50 at Wymondham College) as it offers
Ofsted inspections for education and
Reception-aged pupils. In September
stable schooling where progress is not
boarding. Typically we run more than
2021, the school welcomed its first cohort
interrupted by regular postings and high
65 weekly extra-curricular activities, a
of Year 5 and Year 6 boarders, who will
levels of mobility between schools. Many
wide range of international trips and
experience life at the Prep School before
state boarding schools have very strong
visits and have a strong commitment to
having the option of applying to join
links with the three Services, because of
sport, music, drama, CCF and the Duke of
Wymondham College. Over the next
the high numbers of Service children
Edinburgh’s Award. We offer 27 different
