Boarding at Handcross Park

Introduction to Boarding at Handcross Park

The boarding community at Handcross Park is a lively and integral part of the school in the heart of the main building. The boarding house has been newly refurbished and a “home away from home” atmosphere is created by the house staff, who look after and care for each of the boarders.

Within a safe, secure and nurturing environment on a beautiful 50 acre site, children enjoy a comfortable family atmosphere where they can flourish.

Children are able to relax in their rooms with their friends after afull day at school and enjoy all the benefits that come with a happy and popular boarding house.

We offer weekly and full boarding and our boarders come from both the local area and further afield, including international pupils.

Weekly boarders stay in the house from Monday to Friday (going home at 5.15pm on a Friday afternoon). Full boarders stay through the week and weekends, going home for holidays, half-terms and exeat weekends.

Full boarders are often invited back to other children’s homes for the weekend also, with permission from the boarding houseparents.

Pastoral Care

There are resident house parents who live with their family in the boarding house. They are supported by a house matron and a team of staff who undertake duties throughout the week. Our team is committed to the well-being of each and every child in our care; allowing them to develop and grow in preparation for entry into their senior schools.

A happy pupil is the result of a successful partnership between parents and school and at Handcross Park we pride ourselves on our accessibility. The School has an open door policy where staff are always available for children and parents throughout term-time.

Work and Activities

Boarders are encouraged to fill their own time both creatively and productively. Evening prep sessions are supervised by teaching staff during the week, providing help and support where necessary. The boarders really benefit from this additional attention to their academic studies.

Evenings also offer opportunities to pursue a variety of activities, with all the school’s facilities available to them. The indoor swimming pool, the sports hall, the music department, the art department are all regularly used in addition to a range of other sports and hobbies, which are on offer.

The Common Room in the boarding house allows children to relax and socialise with their friends. Pupils are allowed to watch specific television programmes at selected times.

Our experience has been that children not only thrive as boarders but leave at the end of Year 8 with some lifelong, cherished memories and solid friendships.