Boarding Pupils

Starting boarding school is a big step for children – and for parents! It marks the start on a journey towards independence, and this is a journey that can both challenge and delight. At Lancing we are with our pupils and their parents every step on the way. Modern boarding keeps connections between school and home strong and vital. This is an exciting and rewarding time and your calm confidence will reassure your child more than anything else. There will be emotional support in spades extended across your child’s time at Lancing and communication between you as parents; the school and your child will be key. Working together, this should be a hugely rewarding and important time for your child and one which will, gently and incrementally, build independence and chart the path towards adulthood.

The Boarding Structure

Boarding Houses at Lancing are single sex and span the five year groups in the College. We find that this is an important element of being part of the boarding house family. Girls and boys can spend time with their own age group and at the same time benefit from have older ‘siblings’ to guide them and, as they grow older, take on a role in guiding younger pupils.

The Boarding Houses are all different in layout but all have the same facilities and opportunities; they have a range of bedrooms, places to study and keep books, a kitchen and also a friendly common room where pupils can meet and spend time relaxing.

Housemasters and Housemistresses play a vital role in making the Boarding Houses homely, working with a supporting team of assistants, matrons and tutors. In these primarily pastoral roles they quickly get to know every pupil in their care and are the main point of contact for parents.

Laundry

All laundry is completed in House by our Matrons and Domestic Assistants.

Please ensure all items of uniform and non-uniform are clearly labelled. In addition, they should be machine-washable and suitable for tumble-drying.

Arrival at the College at the Start of term

Boarding Houses typically open at 18.00 for returning boarders at the start of most terms, except for the Advent Term, where special arrangements apply for new pupils. For those arriving at school via airports, one boys’ and one girls’ House will be open from 09.00, allowing luggage to be stored and providing a base for early arrivals to relax until the school reopens. Lunch and supper will be available for all returning boarders throughout the day.

At the beginning of each term, all boarders must be present at College by 20.45 to attend the 21.00 roll call. Boarding Houses will be secured with alarms from 23.00.

Half Terms and End of Advent Term Arrangements

During the October and February Half Terms, as well as after the end-of-term Carol Service in December, boarders have the option to return home that evening or stay overnight at school to facilitate airport transfers the following morning.

Exeat Weekends

There are four Exeat weekends an academic year, and these give an important mid-half term break for pupils and a chance for a real change of pace: to return home, to stay with their Guardian or to stay with friends. In the event that a family is not able to put such an arrangement in place, the school will ensure the care of an international pupil over an Exeat weekend. This is through our Home and Away provision where pupils remain in the care of school staff but are accommodated of site and enjoy cultural trips e.g. to London or places of historical interest.