The benefits of state boarding

If you are looking for affordable boarding and a cracking all-round education for your children, you need look no further than this small group of effective and indeed, cost-effective schools.

Put simply, parents of children at state boarding schools pay only for the boarding fee –broadly £12,000 to £18,000 per year – receiving in return a topflight education and boarding experience that matches what the independent boarding sector has to offer.

Boarding in state schools is treasured as a distinct and special part of what we offer. The quality of accommodation in Cranbrook’s six boarding houses matches what I have experienced in some of the nation’s very best independent boarding schools. Equally, the pastoral care from resident and visiting staff is excellent – the team is as dedicated and skilled as any I have worked with. This is all underpinned by a strong House identity –at Cranbrook, a pupil’s own House is the best in school, and for me this has always been the litmus test for a successful boarding culture.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Happy boarders are usually busy boarders, and state boarding schools tend to offer a far wider array of co-curricular activities than their day counterparts. Cranbrook has a thriving CCF and a popular Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award scheme, both providing outstanding opportunities for personal and leadership development. These are combined with rich musical, theatrical and sporting programmes that give the whole school a constant buzz. Consequently, facilities have to be excellent. At Cranbrook, we have a performing arts centre, sports hall, astroturf, theatre, swimming pool, 70 acres of sports pitches, and much more.

State boarding schools cater for the needs and interests of every child. Weekends are full and there are many opportunities for trips, socialising and fun. Lifelong memories and friendships are made. The boarding community in a state boarding school is diverse, with British boarders making friends for life with overseas boarders, as well as with the local day pupil population. This, combined with relative freedom from their parents for days or weeks at a time, allows pupils to build the resilience and independence they need to become healthy and happy young adults. Character education has always been at the heart of state boarding.

Adding Value To Academic Progress

Boarding also develops pupils who are fulfilled and successful in their work, and it has been shown to add value to academic progress. This is because we have more time with our boarders and can work longer with them to develop effective study habits and use of prep time. Outstanding tutoring in the House itself by members of staff who know and understand their charges well enables this. For higher education, selective state boarding schools will regularly field large numbers of serious contenders each year for Oxbridge and medical, veterinary and dentistry schools and other leading universities in the Sutton Trust 13 or Russell Group.

One of the best ways to find out more about state boarding is to go to the BSA State Boarding Forum’s website at www. boarding.org.uk/for-parents-pupils/ types-of-boarding-school/ Or why not come and find out for yourselves! We are extremely proud of our pupils and what we have to offer and would love to meet you.

Will Chuter went to Cranbrook School before reading Ancient History at Durham University and training as a Classics teacher at King’s College London. He caught the boarding bug as Head of Classics and Housemaster at Uppingham School, then went on to lead boarding as Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Gresham’s School. He has been Head of Cranbrook School since 2021.

Gordon’s

Built by public subscription over a century ago at the insistence of Queen Victoria, Gordon’s School is the national monument to General Charles Gordon, TES Boarding School of the Year, and listed as one of Britain’s outstanding schools by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector.

A non-selective, co-educational day and boarding school, the school is in the top one per cent of schools nationally for progress at A Levels.

While embracing modern ideas, General Gordon’s legacy of traditional values remains. The School’s ethos is that high performance without good character is not true success.

To this end, it’s not just the classrooms where students excel. Successes are achieved in drama; the arts; debating; public speaking; dance and sport. The School also boasts an enviable record in Duke of Edinburgh awards. While the individual is celebrated, the whole School unites for parades. Dressed in their Blues, the students parade around eight times a year and the school is the only one in the country permitted to march along Whitehall – an annual tradition in remembrance of General Gordon.

Set in over 50 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, within easy access of major airports and roads, Gordon’s is home to some 940 students offering weekly and termly boarding from only £1,530 per annum with CEA. Over half of the school’s boarders are from service families, attracted by the location and the school’s understanding of military life.

Those beginning their boarding journey at Gordon’s aged 11 enjoy their own bespoke boarding house with Houseparents experienced in looking after children of military families, to prepare them for moving up to the senior boarding houses in their second year at the school.

The real judgement of Gordon’s is the students. Visitors are struck by the friendliness, discipline and vibrancy throughout the school and the family atmosphere, exemplified by the rapport between staff and students. This is borne from a community striving to live with integrity, courtesy, enthusiasm and diligence, even in adversity. Gordon’s School is unique. Open events in the Autumn Term provide the perfect opportunity to see the school. Visit the school website for further information and to book – www.gordons.school.

Support for Military Families

At Swithun’s School is very well located, on the outskirts of Winchester, to support the military family across all three Services. Our 45-acre site sits just outside the cathedral city and overlooks the South Downs National Park. The school is easily reached from military communities in Wiltshire, Hampshire and along the south coast. Our boarding arrangements provide stability and continuity of friendships and education for pupils whose families are serving further afield.

The school offers a generous bursary in support of those families in receipt of CEA and choosing full boarding for their daughters in the senior school (11+ upwards). For those serving closer to Winchester, the school offers day places and it is possible for pupils to move between day and boarding according to family placements.

One navy family described their experience:

“St Swithun’s academic record speaks for itself, but for us as an overseas family the boarding provision and pastoral care was equally important, and we have not been disappointed. The girls get their own rooms from year 8, providing a bit of privacy which our daughter loves. There are a good number of boarders in at the weekends and the activities offered are varied and great fun. Equally, boarders are free to leave for the weekend (if invites arrive) and we have the added bonus of only one exeat a year! Importantly, the house staff understand the challenges that an overseas posting presents and have been incredibly supportive. Most importantly our daughter is very happy and growing in confidence by the day!”