Boarding at Brambletye
Fun, Excitement and Friendship
Talk to any of our boarders and ask them why they enjoy boarding at Brambletye and you will be told that it is fun, exciting and that they enjoy being with their friends. Boarding is very much at the heart of the School and is created by the pupils, parents, teaching, pastoral and support staff that all influence its character. Children come from near and far; local areas, London and all over the world. Brambletye creates for each of its boarders a caring extended family environment where the children feel safe and valued.
Boarding at Brambletye enables the children to relax during free time, play with their friends and enjoy the marvellous facilities within the grounds. Parents feel reassured that their children are enjoying their free time and weekends with their friends. The children can also take part in a wealth of hobbies and activities that take place in the evenings and at the weekends. Pets can be kept at the School.
Recent extra weekend activities that the boarders have been able to take part in have included:
- Trips to the theatre
- A trip to the Imperial War Museum in London
- Tenpin Bowling
- A trip to the Bluebell Steam Railway
- Exploring Ashdown Forest
- Popcorn and Movie Nights
- Games of charades on Saturday evenings
- Scottish Dancing
- Boarders’ Discos
- Canoe Polo matches with other schools and clubs
- Talent Shows
- The visit of the highly acclaimed conjurer and ventriloquist
- Trips to see Premiere League hockey/rugby matches
- Birthdays that fall during term times are celebrated and are enjoyed with a special tea. Parents are welcomed on these special days.
These days it is very often the children themselves who ask their parents if they can come in to board at Brambletye; with all these opportunities for fun, excitement and being with their friends, it is hardly surprising that this is the case! Boarding provides the modern family with the opportunity to avoid lengthy commutes to and from school, more time to balance the different needs of siblings, and will ensure that the family will enjoy real quality time together. Boarders learn to be responsible for themselves and to respect others within an environment of shared fun, achievements and experience.
At Brambletye, exeats occur every other weekend from Friday lunchtime to a Sunday evening and a long half-term break. Boarders in Years 4, 5 & 6 are allowed home every weekend after matches on a Saturday. Parents are most welcome on match days on Wednesday and Saturdays to visit their children.
Brambletye also offers its younger day children the opportunity to come in and have a taste of boarding, before coming in as a regular boarder. In the Autumn and Spring Terms, the Headmaster’s wife organises a long boarding weekend for those day children keen to take part. In the Summer Term, the day children enjoy a whole ‘taster’ week. This Taste of Boarding has proved increasingly popular and has been much enjoyed by many of our day children.
As most of our children go on to board at their Public School, the boarding experience at Brambletye provides them with an excellent opportunity to get used the boarding way of life in a small, home from home environment before moving on to Senior School at the age of thirteen.
We believe the School provides a perfect balance for the modern boarder between making the most of all the School has to offer and home life.
ISI Inspection Report - 2007
“The School is very warm and welcoming.”
“The staff show dedication and commitment to the pastoral care of the pupils, with whom they enjoy very good relationships.”
“The boarding experience of many pupils makes a very positive contribution to their education.”