Modern Boarding Approach

Modern boarding is about achieving academic excellence and building confidence, leadership skills and independence, as well as gaining a sense of community and cultural understanding.

Different schools operate their boarding in different ways, but at Hurst College the boarding community is made up of flexi and weekly boarders, as the college has now moved away from full boarding. Hurst believes that these two options allow students to make the most of the educational and co-curricular opportunities during the week, and then enjoy home life with their families at the weekends.

Housemistress Fran Williams said: “Most parents have now moved away from the full boarding idea, as nowadays they actually want to see their children, which is lovely. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Boarding gives students a workhome balance.

Caty Jacques, Deputy Head Pastoral said: “I think it is much easier to fully immerse yourself in the school community when you stay the night. You can embrace the ethos and values of the school and really feel part of it. I worked at a school for 11 years where there was full boarding and the biggest complaint from parents was that they felt as if they were totally out of the loop and cut off from their children. This is the first time I have worked in a school with flexi boarding, and I am completely sold on it.”

Flexi boarding for three nights each week is a great attraction, as it really is flexible, with students able to choose their nights even at short notice, while retaining their own bed throughout the term. It is also seen as a halfway house between being at home and boarding. As all students participate in co-curricular activities many find flexi boarding particularly beneficial, as do parents who need to juggle a busy lifestyle.

Hurst’s weekly boarders can stay Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday, removing the stresses of a daily commute and allowing more time for co-curricular activities and study.

Housemaster Adam Hopcroft, said: “Boarding gives students a work-home balance. School life is busy, so boarding provides students with the chance to take part in extra-curricular sport, drama or music after school.”

The benefits of boarding extend far beyond the extra-curricular options. Adam believes boarding gives students an advantage academically. “Boarding pupils have more access to their teachers as well as their friends. Our students work in study groups during prep and we make sure they are productive during this time. If they work well it allows them to have a more relaxed weekend.”

Tania Fielden, Housemistress believes that a boarding environment gives students a strong foundation for their future. “As boarders children have to learn skills for life, which is good preparation for their future. They grow up in a supportive environment and it becomes their second home.”

Key to a home-from-home atmosphere is the real and sustained effort by housemasters, housemistresses and their teams to not only provide a welcoming house, but to also make themselves available to share the ups and downs of the day.

In families where both parents are working full-time and childcare is expensive, boarding means parents do not need to worry about the school run every day and can be confident that their child is being well looked after. This leaves weekends free for quality family time. For children, boarding is a way to spend more time with their peers, be better prepared for the school day and have more time to take part in a full range of extra activities.

Headmaster Tim Manly explains: “Essentially we are trying to strike a healthy balance between school and home. Boarding means that pupils are able to engage with a rich and textured life within strong communities but also maintain contact with parents and family. We want our students to develop in all sorts of good ways, not least a sense of independence and individuality, but also the ability to work in a team with others and to understand what it means to be a fully functioning human being and live not just for oneself but for other people too.”

The open-door policy of Hurst’s modern boarding approach, coupled with excellent communication between school and home, means that parents are continuously in touch with progress and can regularly watch their children in matches, concerts, drama and dance productions.

The college operates an extensive bus network throughout Sussex and Surrey to accommodate flexi and weekly boarders, as well as day students.