Please find below the Boarding School Frequently Asked Questions. If you are unable to find an answer to your question, please contact our Admissions team, who will be able to help.
Boarding Schools offer many advantages, including developing children’s creativity and independence and offering a sense of belonging and community. There’s also the opportunity to cross paths and make friends with others who may not be local to you, helping to develop an awareness of cultural differences. Read our guide to find out more benefits of going to a UK Boarding school.
A key concern that many parents have is around who looks after your children during Boarding. Wycliffe ensures all children are well supported, prioritising well-being and mental health. Staff that are on hand to help are teachers, tutors, Matrons and Head of Houses while Boarding Housemistresses/Masters live in Boarding dorms. They are also responsible for organising weekday and weekend activities for the children. This could be everything from going on a hike to yoga, games nights and cooking.
In the Prep School, Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 tend to have 4 or 5 Boarders to a room, in which they will have their own space including their bed, shelves and storage. Years 7 and 8 will only be two or three in a room. All Prep pupils share bathroom facilities.
Senior School dorms vary depending on age group. Years 9 and 10 share with one other Boarder with each having a desk, bed, wardrobe and shelves with shared bathroom facilities. In Years 11, 12 and 13 many Boarders (but not all) have their own rooms and ensuite. If they do share a room, it would only be with one other Boarder from the same Year group.
An important part in getting ready for Boarding School is packing the correct items, so your child is comfortable and feels at home. Essential items to pack include slippers, a warm coat, chargers, toiletries, pictures, torch and books. A full list of things to take can be found in our Boarding School Packing Checklist.
Pupils at Wycliffe get the chance to go out with other Boarders at weekends as well as have their own free time. Children may also have set activities they do at weekends, if they are part of any sports or music clubs for example. Older children are free to take visits to see friends and family, too. Other activities may include themed weekends, so your child will never be bored.
Boarders share rooms between Year 3 and Year 9. As they move further up the School, Boarders will have fewer dorm mates, until many in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 will have their own room (some with ensuite!).
Living away from family and home comforts can be daunting. Preparing for Boarding School is a vital step in making the transition easier. Talking to your children about how they can stay in touch with you can really help, while ensuring they pack the right things is vital. Prior to joining, children can come in for a Taster Stay, where they will have a Guardian from their Year group with similar interests to look after them. They will spend a day experiencing School life, including lessons, activities and a Boarding night. When they join, they have a buddy in Boarding from their Year group and they will share a room with someone from their Year group too.
Boarders are offered a programme of well-being activities such as Pilates, cooking, yoga and life skills lessons (inc. mental health and well-being) and lots of sporting activities.
Our enhanced pastoral care starts with our tutors, who are pupils’ and parents’ first point of contact. Small tutor groups allow tutors to really get to know pupils. House Parents in the Boarding House are always on-hand to provide support and guidance.
Choosing the right Boarding School can be an overwhelming choice. Factors to consider include location, Boarding options, size of school, age of your children, makeup of the School community and transport links. To ensure you make the right decision, several steps are involved in the process. Research Boarding School options, identify what’s important to you and your child, review the curriculum, campus and facilities, make a shortlist and ensure you visit your shortlisted schools. For more information, read our guide to choosing a Boarding School.
Boarding School can be expensive, and costs to consider include fees, equipment, uniform and travel costs. Fees can vary depending on what type of Boarding your child needs; however, some schools offer incentives such as scholarships and bursaries.
Boarding Schools provide a place where pupils both stay and learn during the School year, compared to a day school where students go home at the end of the day. Schools can offer Full Boarding, which involves staying every week or Flexi-boarding; part-time Boarding where a pupil will stay a few nights a week. See our complete guide to UK Boarding Schools.
Our passionate and proficient team welcomes you to experience our Outstanding Cotswold Campus. Walk through the doors and pathways that will inspire your child.
