Batsford is a beautiful house, set in its own lovely grounds, a stone’s throw from school. It is a real home from home for many girls including occasional or flexi-boarders who enjoy staying alongside our weekly and full boarders. As in all houses, the team is made up of three staff, two of whom are on duty overnight. We also have a resident cat (Pippa-Pepperoni Batsford) and dog (Molly). We love having other girls to stay and in the summer spend as long as we can outside in the evenings. Winter is a time for hot chocolate and pyjamas or having fun with our Wii Dance.

Hatfield is a purpose-designed boarding house for girls. The hexagonal structure was inspired by the shape of a honeycomb, which explains why every room and every paving slab is hexagonal in shape, both inside and out. This design means that the interlocking rooms form Pods, each containing 4 beds with their own bathroom, comprising a bath, two showers and two sinks. The large communal areas, together with the beautiful surrounding gardens, provide space for everyone to join in with both indoor and outdoor activities.

There are three members of staff living in Hatfield; the Housemistress along with the Deputy Housemistress and Graduate Boarding Tutor. We strive to create a warm and happy home for girls away from their families and where the environment is conducive to work and leisure time. The staff and girls promote strong ethical morals and treat each other with kindness, good humour and understanding between the different age groups and nationalities. It is important to us to establish consistent, clear and honest communication with Parents and Guardians in order to be a bridge with the Academic Staff.

We encourage our girls to have fun and to try new adventures. When they refer to Hatfield as ‘home’ our job has been successfully completed.

Mount is a home away from home for girls in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11. We promote caring, friendly and supportive relationships in an inclusive and friendly family setting. Girls are encouraged to become resilient and independent by problem solving and gaining responsibilities as they progress through the house. 

Mount consists of two converted houses joined in the middle so really does offer that coveted ‘home away from home’ environment. Our facilities of a large garden, four pianos, games room, TV room, computer area, study room, common room and kitchens all lend themselves to enhancing the whole school experience. We balance free time for relaxation with organised activities including baking and Friday film nights.

The layout of the house supports our friendly and integrated ethos, promoting fluid relationships across age groups, nationalities and boarding status. We successfully bridge the traditional with what's relevant today, valuing the past, focusing on the future but living in the present. 

Poulton, the Year 12 boarding house, is located on the top two floors of the main school building. This gives our boarders great views, the shortest commute time to school and most importantly never getting wet when going down for meals in the rain. 

Independence is the key to Sixth Form boarding, giving girls the skills they will need for university in a safe and secure environment with staff to support them pastorally and academically. In Year 12, girls have a great deal of autonomy over how they plan their days, with staff to assist to ensure they are striking a good balance between study and leisure time. In Sixth Form girls are able to make excellent use of the schools facilities in the evenings with the library, Sixth Form Centre, Art rooms and gym all open till late for the girls to use as well as the privilege of going to town in the evening for a meal with permission.

Most importantly boarding in Poulton will teach girls to: wash their own clothes; cook meals without setting the fire alarms off; manage their finances and time; ask for help when they need it; understand the value of compromising; learn how to share a fridge with lots of other people; learn what to do when the milk runs out; and finally, to discover that watching funny panda clips on YouTube can always cheer you up.

Greenslade is the transition house for our Year 13 boarders, assisting them to become more independent and ready for university. Located just a short walk from the main school building, we have a newly refurbished House and beautiful grounds.

Each girl in Greenslade has their own bedroom complete with sink and study area. This gives them an area they can make their own and study without any distractions. We also have a range of communal areas for girls to collaborate and socialise in. Breakfast is served every day in House as a Year 13 privilege; this includes a range of freshly cooked pastries, cereals and fruit. Of course, the girls can go to the main School building for a cooked breakfast.

The girls develop their independence through doing their own laundry, managing their time effectively and having the privilege to go further afield with their friends, whether to the cinema or out for meals. In house we arrange a wide range of activities in the communal areas including weekly student meal practice in the kitchens and socials in the ‘Big Sit’. These add to the warm and homely atmosphere throughout Greenslade. The students are encouraged and supported both by the House staff and each other, through a pivotal year that includes applying to university and taking their final exams.