Boarding

Independent Schools Inspection Report 2011

"The quality of boarding provision is excellent. The junior house for a mixture of boys and girls in Years 3 to 5 was found to have a particularly convivial, family atmosphere, where pupils said that they feel safe, and were seen to be very well cared for. In the pre-inspection questionnaire, boarders were very positive about their enjoyment of boarding and the opportunities they are given. Their parents are equally appreciative. In all three boarding houses, the boarding experience plays an invaluable part in the pupils’ education and personal development, and contributes very effectively to the school’s aim to be a place where people feel safe, respected,secure and free to learn. Although boarders and day pupils spend time during the day in their respective separate houses (for example for registration sessions), all pupils were seen to be fully integrated in lessons, extra-curricular activities and free time. Relationships within the boarding houses are very warm, with adults with various responsibilities living alongside the pupils and contributing to their care and welfare.  An excellent range of activities is provided beyond the school day for pupils, and at weekends. The accommodation is comfortable, with most pupils housed in small dormitories, where they each have personal space to be embellished according to individual taste. Resources are plentiful and include computers, games, books and the equipment to make toast and hot chocolate, and the wider school facilities are also made available to boarders, such as computer rooms and a covered and a lit outdoor play area. The pupils enjoy their regular duties in the boarding houses, which encourage caring for shared areas as well as developing skills of tidiness and looking after possessions. Pupils keep in touch with their families regularly by email, letter writing and by the use of their own mobile phones or computer-based phones."

To follow the Prep School boarding tweets click @cahilldeanclose

About a third of the pupils at DCPS are boarders.  They come from a variety of backgrounds:  some from services families, some from overseas and some from families who value the benefits of independence and self confidence that boarding brings to a young person.

Accommodation

At Dean Close Prep School we provide a warm, caring, family atmosphere in our three, large boarding houses in which children learn to be responsible for themselves, and to care for others.

At the heart of each of the boarding houses are the House parents, a married couple who live in the house with their own children.  The House parents are supported by a young resident house matron, two house tutors, and several non-resident members of academic staff, all of whom make up the boarding community.

There are three large boarding houses, Caldecote House for boys, Fortfield House for girls, and Wilton House for the younger girls and boys.  Each of the houses has recently been refurbished offering modern and comfortable accommodation.  On the lower floors there are common rooms, a sitting room with Sky Television and games consoles, a prep room, a games room with table tennis, pool table. or table football, a kitchen and changing rooms with showers to be used after games.  The House parents live on the middle floor, ideally located to foster the extended family atmosphere upon which our boarding thrives.  The spacious dormitories are largely on the upper floors of the house.

Full Boarding

At Dean Close Prep School 90% of boarders are full boarders, the majority of whose parents live and work abroad, which means that there are always plenty of other children to play with at the weekends.

After School

In the secure environment we can offer at DCPS, cared for by committed staff, the children are free to be themselves and there is no peer pressure to grow up too quickly.  After school the children are invariably to be found playing outside.  Roller blades and skateboards are always popular, but the children also enjoy exploring the extensive school grounds.  Our own woods and brook give children the opportunity to create their own entertainment and the wide range of sports facilities and organised activities mean that children learn to use their time constructively.  However, it is very important that the children are left with time to explore life at their own pace, and in their own way, so sometimes after a long day at school they take the opportunity to just relax in their houses and find space to unwind.

Weekend activities

For boarders, weekends are full of activities including ice skating, visits to the cinema and outings to local places of interest such as Drayton Manor Theme Park, Bristol Zoo, Gloucester Climbing Wall or the local Ice Rink.  We are well served in this area of the country for places that also offer more physically challenging pursuits such as canoeing, sailing, hill walking or dry slope skiing.  All houses have kitchen facilities, televisions with parentally controlled access to SKY, games consoles, games tables such as table tennis, pool or table football and a common room for relaxing with friends.  The covered play area is floodlit and in the winter months provides outdoor play, such as football or roller blade hockey up until bed bell.  During the light evenings, under supervision, the boarders are able to take advantage of the large school grounds and the excellent facilities such as the cricket nets, swimming pool and tennis courts. To view some of our lovely photos of our boarders click here.  

Visits

Parents of boarders will always receive a warm welcome to the school.  There are a wide range of sports matches and concerts they may wish to attend, and the House parents are always happy for them to take their children out whenever they are able to visit.

The principles of boarding

• To develop the whole person, a desire for truth, a respect for others and each person's responsibility for him or herself, for others and for their environment.
• To create an open, trusting Christian environment where each pupil feels able to approach any other member of the community, confident that he or she will be treated as an individual.
• To enable boarders to develop their intellectual talents through well-structured work and preparation times, access to staff, participation in activities and an encouraging atmosphere.
• To provide access to activities, hobbies and opportunities that help in each child's personal, social, spiritual and cultural development.
• To develop qualities of leadership and the ability to work as part of a team.
• To provide opportunities for boarders to share good experiences with adults, as well as advice, counselling and support in time of difficulty.
• To maintain close links with boarders' families.