Overseas Boarding

Most of our overseas boarders are, of necessity, full boarders - that is to say they stay at school seven nights per week. Although we currently offer weekly boarding to boys and girls from age 11-13, full boarding is offered only from the age of 13 (Year 9).

Most (but not all) of our 'full' boarders live overseas and have a guardian living in the UK who can act as a first point of contact with the School when necessary and where you can go and spend the half-term holiday (when the School is closed). Most full boarders stay at school seven nights per week, although they can stay with their guardians at weekends if they wish (and if they live close enough to make this practicable). They are also allowed to visit their friends who live locally and stay with them - an experience which is greatly valued by many of our overseas boarders. Excursions to places of interest, both locally and further afield, are regularly organised at weekends.

We also have a significant number of 'weekly' boarders (who spend Monday to Friday at school) and 'part-time' boarders who spend some (but not all) weekdays at school.

The two boarding Houses - Poole House for boys and Pimlico House for girls - provide a friendly, relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where overseas boarders can really feel 'at home'. Most full boarders share a room with one other pupil, often a day pupil so that the full boarder has the room to himself/herself in the evenings.

Durham City (and all its shops and amenities) is only five minutes’ walk away from the boarding Houses - a fact that sets us apart from some other boarding schools and that is greatly appreciated by all our pupils, but especially by all full-time boarders. Subject to specific safeguards and limitations, they are normally allowed access to the town at weekends.

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Tuesday, 07 October 2008

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Testimonials

"In less than a term, our daughter has gained hugely in confidence and self-esteem and this in turn has led to a huge improvement in her standard of work – helped by a very early (within 2 weeks) identification of the need for some learning support which has been implemented and is already showing massive benefits The engagement in House musical activities, too, has helped her build her self-assurance. In addition, the opportunities for games offered by the School mean that she has now played hockey for the school (she never achieved that in 8 years at her previous school) and has taken the opportunity to try rowing – a sport not even available previously. All this in only a few weeks!"
Mrs Neal