What our boarders say
We don't have a long journey to school in the morning and breakfast is fun too. We have lots of activities to choose from in the evenings, my favourites are Art, Cookery, Astronomy and Dance.
I like boarding at Chilton because my friends are here and it is like having a sleepover. We have a lie in at the weekend. I look forward to seeing my family at half term but on the weekends I am in school I enjoy the trips to Laser Quest and adventure parks. We go to the cinema or ten pin bowling, which I am quite good at! My favourite activities are Rock Workshop and Woodcraft.
My room is really cosy. I share with friends from my class and we have photographs and posters on our wall. I bring my own duvet and things from home, so it is a bit like going to stay at my gran's house in the summer.
Boarding at Chilton
What Ofsted say:
Young people receive excellent support from staff. This comes from the staff having in-depth knowledge of the young people they are working with. Young people are very positive about the staff who care for them, saying they are very caring, fun to spend time with and always make time for them
Boarding starts at Year 3 and the boarding family is at the heart of Chilton. One third of our pupils are boarders and our House Parents and teaching staff make a huge contribution to the success of boarding life at the school. We pride ourselves on the family ethos and atmosphere at Chilton Cantelo, where children feel happy and safe in this beautiful environment.
Our boarding family comprises about 115 children from Year 3 through to Year 11 and from September 2012 the family will extend to include our new Sixth Form boarders. We have children who board from local, national and international backgrounds, most are from British families living in the UK and abroad and 16% are foreign nationals from Spain, Hong Kong, Korea, Canada and Germany.
Houseparents are on hand at the end of the school day to meet with form teachers and catch up with any news or concerns. They provide warm, friendly support to the children as they get ready for supper and their evening activities.
Bedrooms are cosy and are shared with a group of friends. Some houses have double and single rooms too. Duvet covers, photographs and posters all contribute to the homely atmosphere.
Each house has a common room with space to relax, enjoy a game or watch a DVD
Children who are joining the boarding house for the first time will be looked after by a fellow boarder.
More from Ofsted:
The relationship between the staff and young people is excellent and is a real strength of the school. Staff know the young people they care for very well and are committed to providing them with a nurturing and positive experience.
