Boarding at Beaudesert

Well, I think it is fair to say that we have finished our time in the Boarding House on a high. It has been a hugely positive year, and although slightly hindered by covid in the early stages of the Autumn Term, it has, on the whole, been so lovely to be able to get on with business as usual and put the number limitations and bubbles behind us.

One of the main joys of being Houseparents is that one gets to know the children in a home from home environment, where the pressures of daytime routines are put behind them. The flexi system that we run brings out the best in so many of the children when they board, because they want to be there. As a result, the children can always be relied upon to bring their ‘A Game’ up to the Boarding House. When the clock strikes 6.00pm, and the end of prep is called, that is the time when the children can relax and enjoy the activities that are in store, as well as some down time upstairs, before settling down for the night. And what a fantastic selection of activities we have had this year! From baking biscuits to Scottish Reeling, and Laser Tag to rocket making in the winter months, to Wachy Special and Astro fun, time in the outdoor pool and Year 8 discos in the summer, there have been a seemingly infinite number of ways for children to enjoy themselves through boarding activities, to grow and nurture friendships and to also develop themselves both personally and emotionally.

As our tenure in the Boarding House comes to an end, we cannot help but look back on our time over the last four years with incredible fondness. It has been such a fantastic pleasure and a huge privilege to run the Boarding House and we have so many happy memories to take with us as we continue on our journeys. Sid and Agi, Tusker and Banksy will have to adjust to their new home without the pitter patter of feet from the girls’ dorms above us or the sounds of laughter coming from the boys’ dorms next door. I’m not sure we will miss the late night wake ups or the unplanned fire alarms, but they are part and parcel of the job. It has been a job that we have absolutely loved and it has formed a huge part of our family dynamic. Thankfully though, it is not a permanent goodbye, as we will continue to help in the Boarding House with duties going into next year, and we wish all the luck to the Jones’, who will, no doubt, do an extraordinarily good job at the helm.

Tom and Joey Layton