Boarding FAQs

Will boarding be right for my child?

The decision over whether to board is one that a family should make together. We understand that it’s difficult to make this decision in Year 6 when your child is still young, but it’s important to remember that come Year 9 they will be young adults wanting more independence.

As a modern boarding school we are extremely experienced in helping you to understand contemporary boarding and how it fits with modern family life. Staff at Cranleigh are always happy to answer any questions you or your child may have, however detailed, as we recognise that the decision to board is an important one.

WILL MY CHILD HAVE THEIR OWN ROOM?

In the Lower School nearly all pupils will share rooms. They will have a dedicated space, and bed of course and we encourage them and roommates to make the room feel like home. Our Boarding Houses are homes! We regularly rotate the pupils around in rooms so that they get to know as many of their housemates as possible and develop strong bonds. In the Sixth Form boarders are in smaller dorms and many will have their own room; again, we encourage them to make this their space.

I AM WORRIED MY CHILD WILL GET HOMESICK

Most children will experience some form of insecurity worries in joining a new school and sometimes this does manifest itself in homesickness. We are a school that encourages families to be part of the community and will work with parents in supporting their children. We know from experience that in a busy and caring environment that is geared towards creating a wholly fulfilling educational experience any homesickness will not last long.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL MY CHILD HAVE?

In each House we have a very strong and dedicated pastoral staff. Each House has two residential staff and two matrons. As well as this all of our teaching staff are house tutors and they are assigned responsibility for individual children – each tutor will support around 10 pupils. They will also have mentors from the older years in both formal and informal ways, so each child in the boarding house will have plenty of day-to-day support from staff and pupils.

WHAT DO THE BOARDERS DO IN THE EVENING?

After dinner and social time, prep takes place in the boarding houses, with staff and Sixth Form prefects supporting and mentoring prep. Once prep is completed many school and house activities take place before bedtime. This varies day by day and can include simple food treat nights, playing games, TV watching, or playing sports to more ‘organised’ activities such as trips to the cinema, trampoline park or a restaurant.

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO CONTACT ME?

Yes! All of our pupils have a school iPad with a School email account and we find this is the way many of our pupils keep in regular contact with family and friends. In the Fourth Form we ask that mobile devices are kept at home or with House Staff to enable the children to bond better with one another rather than being on a social media platform. But if they need or wish to contact you they are able to use the private phones in Matron’s room or the House Staff phones. In other years mobile phones are permitted but their use will be restricted, as again we want them to have as few distractions to school life as possible.

CAN I VISIT MY CHILD DURING THE WEEK?

Yes! We have many parents and grandparents coming to concerts, plays, or school matches during the week and we encourage this. Many parents pop into the house to drop off supplies and take children out for a pizza or a coffee in the week and we’re happy to welcome them into the community. We want all of our parents to feel like they are part of the Cranleigh family.