Boarding FLEXI FLEXI Chorister
HEAR from our boarders
There are so many cool games we can play in the gym, like dodgeball and basketball, I’m getting so good!
I was nervous at first, but now I love getting surprises, like secret snack time or treasure hunts
bImissmyparents, dutI'mlearningto osomanynew things
Meet The Boarding Team
Housemistress
IhaveworkedinBarrington HouseasaHousemother sinceSeptember2023.Prior tothatIworkedaspartofthe Chartwellsteam,soIhave beenlookingaftertheneeds ofchildrenattheChorister Schoolforalongtime.
Myovernightdutiesarea MondayandaWednesday andIlovetoseethevarietyof childrenthatcomeinon thosenightsandboard.
Ihave2grownupsonsand lastyearIbecameaKinship FosterParent.
Ihaveagranddaughterwho keepsmebusyoutsideof schoolandadogcalledCoco.
Ihavelivedatschoolforthe past15yearsandmyfamily grewuphere.Ihavea22year olddaughterwhowasa Choristerandan18yearold sonwhowasakeenrugby player.Weareallveryluckyas myhusbandisachef!
MydutiesintheHouseareon aWednesdayandaFriday,but youwillfindmecheckingin withtheboardersandHouse staffonadailybasis.
Weareluckyenoughtohavea teamofresidenttutorstohelp toruntheHousewiththe Housemothers.MissCookis ourpermenantTutorandthe otherswillbewithusforjust oneyear.Recentlywehave enticedbackyoungadultswho havealreadybeenpartofour schoolcommunityaschildren andhavereturnedto'give back'intheirrolesasRT's supportingintheHouseandin school.
Hello&welcometoour Barringtonboardinghouse,I havebeenahousemotherhere since2009.Ihaveenjoyed working/livingwithallthe childrenwhohavecome&gone overtheyears.Myovernight dutiesareeveryTuesday& Thursdays.Ilovethebuzzand thejoyyourchildrenbring,there isneveradullmomentwiththe childrenaround.
Ihavethreegrownupchildren, mysonwholivesinAustraliaand twodaughterswholiveinmy villagewithfourgrandchildren betweenthem.Whenyour childrenboard,weliketoplay scrabble,haveaknittingcircle, craftytimeorasing/danceon thewii,orI'mopenforanynew ideasyourchildrenmightwantto do,sodon'tbeshy,justask!We areallafriendlybunchhereand wetrytomakeyourchildrenfeel athomefromhome,sogiveusa tryandletusshowyouthat boardingatBarringtonHouse canbefun
Miss Britton Housemother
Mrs Faulkener-Walford
Mrs JohnsHousemother
Attaining Excellence
The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.
Pupils are extremely self-confident and resilient: they are reflective and know how to improve their learning. Pupils demonstrate a highly developed moral sense, taking responsibility for their own behaviour and being sensitive to the needs of others. Pupils display a mature social awareness, working together with enjoyment and an excellent sense of purpose. Pupils of all ages are respectful of each other and understand the value of diversity in their community.
The girls absolutely love having the extra time with their friends and would definitely board more if we let them!
Boarding that works for you
In today’s busy world, many families find boarding a way of relieving pressure on family life by reducing time spent on endless commuting and ensuring that the time they spend together is quality time, with most of the school commitments having been met during the week. At Chorister School, a variety of boarding options are available for Years 3 to 6.
Flexi-boarding Options
Extended Day Weekly
This gives you the option of arriving in time for breakfast at 07:30 and leaving after a hearty supper, homework completed and activities at 18:30.
Occasional Boarding
This option is helpful when parents are away dealing with business or family matters, or when children have particularly time consuming commitments at school.
Flexi Boarding
Many of our boarders commit to a regular boarding night, or nights, each week. Children prefer the regularity of this option as it ensures they are boarding with their friends on the same night or nights each week.
Our weekly boarders enjoy the best of both worlds – the array of social activities on offer with their friends Monday to Friday and quality time with their families at the weekend.
Accommodation
The Boarding House is situated at the top of the Main Building. There is a dorm allocated for boys and girls. Barrington House is at the heart of pupils' lives, and all boarders will experience a warm and supportive atmosphere in Barrington House, each run by an experienced and dedicated team of Housemasters/mistresses, Resident Tutors and Housemothers.
Benefits of Boarding
Social skills develop to allow self motivation, ability to organise own time and to make lifelong friendships
Children nurtured by caring boarding staff in a family environment
Homework supervised with staff guidance
Independent learning encouraged but with support
Healthy and varied meals
Increasing independence with strong support from boarding staff
Personal choice and responsibility encouraged with advice provided by boarding staff
Close communication between teaching staff, boarding staff and parents
Family feel accommodation
Time and opportunities to build social skills and strong friendships
Range of sports and activities to suit all interests
A valued partnership with supportive parents allows family life to be enhanced
Range of cocurricular activities available to develop lifelong enthusiasms
Positive relationships between boarders and their parents maintained during adolescent years
Social opportunities develop confidence, security, tolerance and respect for others
Involvement in a range of school activities fosters leadership and responsibility
Mature relationships between boarders and their parents form the foundation for future years
The boarding staff really make it feel like home from home.
Hear from our Boarding Parents
My two daughters (Year 4 and 5) have both boarded once a week for over a year now. It means they have one day without a tedious journey home and then in again the next morning. I rest assured knowing they will have a good meal, homework done, down time with their friends and a good night's sleep, and then music practice and breakfast in the morning. It means we don't have to play catch up when they get home. The boarding staff really make it feel like home from home, and it's particularly nice in the lighter months when they're out on their roller blades on the yard. The girls absolutely love having the extra time with their friends and would definitely board more if we let them!
Flexible Boarding Open Evenings
We invite you and your children to see the boarding houses in action and discover what the boarders get up to after they finish their school day. It will be a great opportunity to meet the boarding house staff and ask questions. For more information and to reserve your place, please contact R.faulkner-walford@dcsf.org.uk
The format of the Flexible Boarding Open Evening will be as follows:
16.10 Arrival and Introduction with Mrs Faulkner-Walford, Housemistress
17:30 Boarding Tours
18.00 Questions and Answers with Boarding Staff
I rest assured knowing they will have a good meal, homework done, down time with their friends and a good night's sleep