Daily Life & Boarding

How does Cranleigh School guide pupils towards independence?

At Cranleigh, daily life and boarding follow a familiar routine that helps younger pupils settle in quickly and allows independence to build gradually as they mature. Younger pupils have clear routines and close staff supervision, while older pupils shape more of their own time and responsibilities, supported by their House staff.

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What are Cranleigh's Senior Houses?

Cranleigh Senior has eight single-sex Houses, each made up of pupils from Year 9 to Upper Sixth. Every House has its own character and traditions while offering the same high standard of pastoral care, creating a warm, home-from-home day and boarding school experience in Surrey.

Each House is paired with a House of the opposite sex, with many House activities taking place together, creating a co-educational experience within the wider House community. Within each House, 'House families' bring together pupils from different year groups through regular evening activities, helping younger pupils settle quickly, build lasting friendships and feel part of a close-knit community from day one.

Explore our Senior Houses

What is the Day pupil experience at Cranleigh Senior?

Day pupils experience House life every bit as much as boarders. They follow a full timetable of lessons and co-curricular activities that work well for pupils living within commuting distance, with their House becoming their base for working and relaxing throughout the day. Pupils arrive from 7.45am and leave at 5.45pm. Pupils can also stay for supper on an ad hoc basis for an additional fee.

See Day fees

How does Day Plus (flexi-boarding) work at Cranleigh?

Day Plus is Cranleigh’s flexi-boarding option, designed to give families greater flexibility while allowing pupils to enjoy more of the Cranleigh experience. Day Plus pupils can stay into the evening for supervised prep, supper with boarders and a range of evening activities. Parents can collect pupils at any time during the evening, up to 8.45pm.

Day Plus includes one night of boarding each week within the fee, with a second night available at a preferential rate.

See Day Plus fees

How does full boarding work at Cranleigh Senior?

Families can choose between full and weekly boarding at our Senior School in Surrey. Full boarders live in their House throughout the week, becoming part of a close, supportive community and enjoying everything school life has to offer. Evenings and weekends are filled with activities, trips and social events, while scheduled Exeat weekends during term provide time at home with family. Weekly boarders stay during the school week before returning home on Saturday afternoon after sports fixtures, and come back on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

See Boarding fees

Does Cranleigh Senior offer ad-hoc boarding?

No, but families looking for flexibility can choose Day Plus. Pupils can stay into the evening for supervised prep, supper and activities with boarders, and can board overnight one night a week, with a second night available at a preferential rate.

Frequently asked questions about daily life & boarding

How many Houses are there?

There are eight Senior Houses - four boys houses and four girls houses.

Explore our Senior Houses

Are Houses single-sex?

Yes they’re all single sex but they are paired together for House activities for a co-educational experience.

How are pupils placed?

Pupils are allocated places in the Admissions process where we balance personalities and interests across the houses.

Can siblings be in the same House?

Yes, siblings will automatically go into the same house as their sibling unless parents request they are separated.

Are Houses competitive?

Yes - House rivalries are lively but always friendly.

Can a pupil change from Day to Boarding?

Yes, and many do during their Senior years.

Is Day Plus charged separately?

Yes – see the fee schedule for Day Plus costs below.

See our Day Plus fees

What's the Day to Boarder ratio?

The Senior community consists of roughly 24% Day Plus pupils, 4% Day and 72% Boarders.

Are weekends programmed?

Yes, there is a full weekend programme for boarders.

Can boarders go home at weekends?

Yes. Weekly boarders go home at weekends, while full boarders can also go home with parental consent. A full programme of weekend activities is available for those who choose to stay at school.

What bus routes serve Cranleigh School?

We offer daily and weekend Cranleigh School bus routes from Guildford, Cobham, Horsham, Billingshurst, Godalming, Haslemere, Shere, Albury, Chilworth, Shalford, Dunsfold and surrounding villages. We also offer routes from key London locations including Wimbledon, Balham and Parsons Green.

See our Bus Service

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How does Cranleigh School guide pupils towards independence?

What are Cranleigh's Senior Houses?

What is the Day pupil experience at Cranleigh Senior?

How does Day Plus (flexi-boarding) work at Cranleigh?

How does Day Plus (flexi-boarding) work at Cranleigh?

How does full boarding work at Cranleigh Senior?

How does full boarding work at Cranleigh Senior?

Does Cranleigh Senior offer ad-hoc boarding?

Frequently asked questions about daily life & boarding

How many Houses are there?

Are Houses single-sex?

How are pupils placed?

Can siblings be in the same House?

Are Houses competitive?

Can a pupil change from Day to Boarding?

Is Day Plus charged separately?

What's the Day to Boarder ratio?

Are weekends programmed?

Can boarders go home at weekends?

What bus routes serve Cranleigh School?

Thinking about Cranleigh for your child?

Where next?

Explore our Day offering

Explore Day Plus

Explore Boarding at Cranleigh Senior