Choosing state boarding

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by Dan Browning, Headteacher of Wymondham College
Exterior of college building

State boarding schools are often described as ‘education’s best kept secret’. Certainly I meet many prospective parents who have found the sector almost by chance and who once introduced are impressed by the range of facilities, types of school and examination results across our schools. State boarding is available at the time of writing to all EU-qualified pupils and the education is provided free of charge, so parents only pay for the boarding element.

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State boarding schools vary considerably by size and location but they all share a strong commitment to the value of boarding and provide excellent facilities and systems of care. In total around 5,000 pupils enjoy boarding in a diverse, varied and hugely successful range of schools. The sector consists of large mixed non-selective schools, free schools, grammar schools and schools that offer mixed or single-sex education. 

State boarding schools vary considerably by size and location but they all share a strong commitment to the value of boarding and provide excellent facilities and systems of care. In total around 5,000 pupils enjoy boarding in a diverse, varied and hugely successful range of schools. The sector consists of large mixed non-selective schools, free schools, grammar schools and schools that offer mixed or single-sex education.

Although most state boarding schools offer secondary places, primary boarding is available too. Wymondham College Prep School opened its doors in September 2020 to its founding cohort of 60 Reception-aged pupils. In September 2021, the school will welcome its first cohort of Year 5 and Year 6 boarders, who will experience life at the Prep School before having the option of applying to join Wymondham College. Over the next seven years, the school will grow annually, eventually reaching its capacity of 452 pupils. The school is located on the same site as Wymondham College, enabling the children of the Prep School to access teaching expertise from both the Prep School and the College. The Prep School will also draw on the expertise of the Sapientia Education Trust (SET), which was founded by Wymondham College and incorporates 16 schools in Norfolk and Suffolk. For more information, go to www.se-trust.org

Many children from Service families attend state boarding schools (typically more than 50 at Wymondham College) as it offers stable schooling where progress is not interrupted by regular postings and high levels of mobility between schools. Many state boarding schools have very strong links with the three Services, because of the high numbers of Service children attending or the proximity of the school to an RAF station or Army garrison. This link is often further developed through the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which is an integral part of the school. For example, at Wymondham College we have more than 200 pupils in our Army and RAF CCF sections which gives our students opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world. 

At Wymondham College we have around 650 boarders, offering a strong academic curriculum combined with excellent pastoral care. We were judged to be Outstanding in every area in our latest Ofsted inspections for education and boarding. Typically we run more than 65 weekly extra-curricular activities, a wide range of international trips and visits and have a strong commitment to sport, music, drama, CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We offer 27 different A-level courses but other state boarding schools provide different pathways, for example the IB is available in some schools and others offer an excellent range of vocational courses.

Academic excellence

I firmly believe that boarding adds significant value to young people, developing their independence, resilience and self-esteem. In 2016 three state boarding schools were in the top 20 non-selective state schools at GCSE and state boarding schools topped the league tables in three regions of the country. University entrance rates are very high, with Russell Group and Oxbridge entry well above national averages. At Wymondham College we usually secure ten Oxbridge places each year with more than 50 per cent of pupils in the upper sixth going on to Russell Group universities. And it’s not just academic success – several England rugby players attended state boarding schools. 

State boarding schools may offer single-sex boarding or mixed boarding. Some have boarding houses covering the entire school age while others divide into key stages or run a separate sixth-form boarding house. They all offer strong systems of pastoral support and care, ensuring pupils are well known by staff and their individual needs are catered for. Pupil-voice activities are strongly promoted and pupils are given opportunities to lead and contribute to their schools. Boarding houses are homely with soft furnishings often the norm and I have yet to have a poor meal in ten years of working in the sector!

Day-to-day life follows a typical boarding school pattern. At Wymondham College breakfast starts from 7.15 am, lessons from 8.30 am, the school day ends at 3.45 pm and our extra-curricular programme starts at 4 pm. Prep is completed in the evenings (with boarding staff, more often than not teachers, on hand to support) and we offer Saturday morning school, with a full range of sporting fixtures on Saturday afternoons.  

Parents and students choose state boarding for many reasons and our communities are grounded and diverse. Some prefer the state boarding offer, others are attracted by high standards and value for money, others are attracted to the distinctiveness of individual schools. Across the sector there are very high satisfaction rates from parents and pupils.

State boarding schools are subject to regular Ofsted inspections, including an Ofsted boarding inspection every three years. Reports are available online but we recommend a personal visit because it can be difficult to convey the ethos of a school through an inspection report. I always encourage parents to visit several schools before choosing, ensuring the best match for their child.

State boarding schools are proud of what we deliver. As one journalist commented on a visit to the College, ‘this feels like any leading independent school’. We, like colleagues in the independent sector, are simply committed to high-quality boarding. 

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