Sixth Form Boarding
Boarders grow in confidence as they take greater responsibility for their day-to-day lives in preparation for university and their future careers. They become more independent as they progress through the school and are more organised. Living in a community also encourages them to understand that their actions impinge on others and they learn to be considerate of others and respect different opinions.
Boarding is an attractive option for lots of families. The boarding family enjoys a broad range of activities and freedom around our beautiful grounds. Being together fosters special bonds and friendships in a warm community. Boarding offers a practical benefit to parents too, with less time spent on the school run or worrying about being late home.
Many boarding families comment that time together at weekends, half terms and holidays is more special - true family time. Boarding parents can work hard in the knowledge that their children are cared for, happy and busy at school.
Boarding 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 boarders comprise 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 boarders 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. Single rooms are for Sixth Formers. 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
Weekends are a busy time for boarders. For those staying in, trips are organised to activity centres, the cinema, theme and water parks as well as a wealth of activities on site. Some boarders go home for the weekend whilst others simply choose to stay because they enjoy the independence.
Boarding life is busy and usually very cheerful. There are of course moments for every boarder when things may not be going so well and they miss home. The boarding and teaching staff have great experience of this and will help children to feel better quickly. The boarders themselves are quick to spot any changes in behaviour and help their friends. It is important for children to understand that life has its ups and downs and that this is quite normal and something with which they can cope.
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.
