Boarding schools are not solely a place for education but rather an opportunity and an environment that offer transformative experiences for students. Boarding school life is an enriching amalgamation of teaching and learning, exploration and discovery, and community and independence.
There is a somewhat outdated idea about what boarding school is like. What matters at Sidcot School is that the boarding school daily routine is anything but routine, and that each moment is fulfilling. Whether that’s in the classroom, during activities, or even in dorm rooms, boarding school life cultivates curiosity and a desire to live life to the fullest.
Great Things About Boarding School Life
Boarding school life has an incredible amount of benefits. The boarding school experience is a holistic one that develops students academically, independently, and socially. Every aspect of boarding school life at Sidcot links back to our aims and values, giving students everything they need to move forward into their future.
Here are just some of the great things about boarding school life:
Togetherness
The very nature of boarding school means that children are part of a thriving community and an active social setting. They soak in knowledge, experiences, and ideas from one another, and develop long-lasting friendships and connections.
Cultural Awareness
Most boarding schools will have a range of different nationalities represented. At Sidcot School more than 30 nationalities are represented in the boarding houses. This helps develop understanding of others cultures and a greater sense of being part of a wider community. It also means students leave boarding school with friends from all over the globe.
Independence
Students learning and living at a boarding school develop multiple skills that set them up for an independent, motivated, and self-reliant future. Boarding school life means children have to manage their own time, balance their school and social life, and make their own responsible choices. This often makes students far better prepared for University life if that’s the direction they choose.
Exploration
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of boarding school life is the chance to truly explore every available opportunity. Boarding schools stretch students academically to help them find their calling, but they also intrinsically promote a genuine sense of self. The huge range of activities on offer, arts and creative provisions, and the time to try everything means children can truly discover their passions and interests.
Engaged Staff
Teachers at boarding school are dedicated to their students and their subjects. Small class sizes and warm relationships between students, teachers, and pastoral staff result in mutual respect, creating a solid foundation for learning. It also means students feel supported and cared for away from home, with familiar faces on hand any time of day.
Top Level Facilities
Boarding school facilities are state of the art. Sports centres, outdoor spaces, and art departments are fully equipped to offer students something above and beyond the norm. Sidcot School is located in the beautiful village of Winscombe, surrounded by stunning countryside and breathtaking views. There is ample space for students to take part in multiple pursuits, for example horse riding or Forest School, and the opportunities to surprise themselves and make the most of every minute are endless.
Making Friends
A large number of boarding schools also accept day students. This ensures a fantastic balance between those students who live locally and those that may live thousands of miles away. This is a mutually beneficial relationship, with day students exposed to cultures from around the globe and boarders developing their language skills. Strong friendships are also formed with day students which has many positive benefits whilst in school and long after.
What Is Boarding at Sidcot School Like?
Now we’ve established why boarding school is such an enriching place to be, you might be wondering what is boarding at Sidcot School like? There are a few practical questions you might have and so hopefully this can answer some of them:
Boarding
Students live in a boarding house where younger students tend to share a room with one, two or possibly three others. As students get older this number will reduce with many Sixth Form students having their own room. There is a communal area available for everyone in the boarding house to come together. At Sidcot this is where you’ll find a TV, DVD player, and games console. Each house has access to Wi-Fi and there is a student kitchen too where basic food items are provided. A house master or house mistress takes care of the boarding houses, helping children to settle in or supporting them when they need it. There will also be a dedicated team of House staff including a matron and other duty staff to support the children. There are several boarding options available to students, including weekdays only or flexi boarding so you can enjoy boarding school life on your own terms.
Food
There is plenty of delicious food on offer at Sidcot boarding school, with lots of menu options to choose from. All student meals are served in a large dining room to encourage socialising at meal times. The three main meals are all catered for throughout the day and there are also opportunities to grab snacks. Boarding students have their own kitchens, with items like bread,cereal and fruit provided.
Uniform
Wearing a uniform is an important part of boarding school life, as it unifies students and shows students are all part of one community. There is usually one standard uniform which can then be added to according to the season. Students also need a sports uniform to take part in the many activities they do at boarding school. Out of school time, students can wear clothing of their choice and will need to have a good mix of smart and casual clothes. At Sidcot, we have a helpful guide for students who are unsure what clothes to bring to boarding school.
Activities
Activities and events are an important part of boarding school life. In fact, pupils often excel academically at boarding school because they have diverse interests outside of the classroom. Boarding school offers children a unique opportunity to try a massive variety of activities that they might not otherwise come across. At Sidcot for example, children can take part in cookery classes, try out frisbee golf, or learn circus skills! Weekends are spent in nearby cities and there are organised trips throughout the year that enhance students’ boarding school life even further.
Boarding School Daily Routine
There is a boarding school daily routine to give student’s structure, instil time management skills, and also allow for down time. However, with such a huge array of activities on offer plus a varied curriculum, no two days are identical at boarding school.
A typical day at Sidcot will begin at around 7.30am with breakfast, before children leave their houses around 8.30am to get to school. Once lessons are over for the day there is an evening meal after 5pm and then the evening is spent studying, enjoying extra curricular activities, or simply having quiet time. This is a general overview of the boarding school daily routine but, as you can imagine, the details are far more varied, interesting and exciting. A typical day at boarding school is not a typical day!
Join Sidcot School
Find out more about the Sidcot difference and what it’s really like at a boarding school by requesting a prospectus or contacting us. Better yet, visit an open day or book a tour to see first hand what happens at boarding school and to really answer the question ‘what is boarding school like?’. We would love to tell you more about our independent school in Somerset and why boarding school is the best springboard for a buoyant future.