Will Chuter Head, Cranbrook School
The benefits of state boarding If you are looking for affordable boarding and a cracking all-round education for your children, you need look no further than this small group of effective and indeed, cost-effective schools. Put simply, parents of children at state boarding schools pay only for the boarding fee – broadly £11,000 to £17,000 per year – receiving in return a topflight education and boarding experience.
Boarding in state schools is treasured
co-curricular activities than their day
as a distinct and special part of what we
counterparts. It is typical to find a thriving
offer. The quality of accommodation in
CCF and a popular Duke of Edinburgh’s
Cranbrook’s six boarding houses matches
Award scheme, both providing
what I have experienced in some of the
outstanding opportunities for personal
nation’s very best independent boarding
and leadership development. These
schools. Equally, the pastoral care from
are usually combined with rich musical,
resident and visiting staff is excellent
theatrical and sporting programmes
– the team is as dedicated and skilled
that give the whole school a constant
as any I have worked with. This is all
buzz. Consequently, facilities have to
underpinned by a strong House identity –
be excellent. At Cranbrook, we have
at Cranbrook, a pupil’s own House is the
a performing arts centre, sports hall,
best in school, and for me this has always
astroturf, theatre, swimming pool, 70
been the litmus test for a successful
acres of sports pitches, and much more.
boarding culture. State boarding schools cater for the
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Happy boarders are usually busy boarders, and state boarding schools tend to offer a far wider array of
needs and interests of every child. Weekends are full and there are many opportunities for trips, socialising and fun. Lifelong memories and friendships