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Boarding school

Connect with fellow parents of boarding school students on our supportive forum. Share experiences, tips, and insights.

Original poster

State boarding schools

33 replies

moretothepoint · 21/10/2025 17:42

hi all,
looking for people’s opinion on state boarding schools.
Especially the pastoral side of things, also the a level options/ possibility of achieving good grades in hope of a good uni.
I know it varies, and I understand that opinions and experiences can be very different, but we are int he planning stage, currently with child in yr10.

many thanks

OP posts:
ladyamy · 21/10/2025 20:52

I’ve never heard of state boarding schools but I would imagine any government-funded residential schools would be for SEBN, or additional learning needs.

frizzynfrazzled · 21/10/2025 21:01

moretothepoint · 21/10/2025 17:42

hi all,
looking for people’s opinion on state boarding schools.
Especially the pastoral side of things, also the a level options/ possibility of achieving good grades in hope of a good uni.
I know it varies, and I understand that opinions and experiences can be very different, but we are int he planning stage, currently with child in yr10.

many thanks

We looked at a state grammar school that had a certain number of boarding places. This was over 12 years ago now, so this info may no longer apply.

When we had a tour they made a big deal about how the boys who boarded got a higher % of A* etc than the day boys.

I can’t remember all the details re pastoral stuff tbh altho I know they did discuss things in a fair bit of detail.

My son didn’t go in the end, he got into his first choice school (based on an 11+ pass and distance). We’d applied for the day boarding in case he didn’t get in to first choice due to distance- our closest school by distance but we are just outside the county border so not in catchment. The grammar with boarding option didn’t take distance into consideration when allocating places. It was about 40 min away so perfectly manageable as a weekly boarder.

I know the fees have gone up a HUGE amount since we were looking. So it’s definitely something to be aware of.

Decorhate · 21/10/2025 21:10

There is one not too far from me. I don't know much about it other than the school as a whole has a good academic reputation.

@ladyamy I think historically these were aimed at children of service families and missionaries where the parents were spending lots of periods of time outside the UK.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 21/10/2025 21:18

Only heard of state boarding schools for children whose parent(s) serve abroad long term in the armed forces.

Some of the old direct grammar schools may still.do a few boarders during the week but not as weekends.

Hope you can find somewhere suitable.

senua · 21/10/2025 21:24

I think that the main thing is to feel comfortable because they will be away from home and only have two years to find their feet; they don't want to feel different or othered. So:
what is the ratio between full boarders / weekly boarders / day students
what is the ratio between boys / girls
how many newbies will there be for sixth form

Toadsrevisited · 21/10/2025 21:42

There's about 30 state boarding schools, some selective grammars, some comprehensive. Historically for army parents or in rural areas. They're fantastic value compared to independents. My DC is at one and I can't rate it highly enough. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_state_boarding_schools_in_England

List of state boarding schools in England - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_state_boarding_schools_in_England

JazzyBBBG · 21/10/2025 21:47

If you are in the midlands (or not if looking for full board) Oldswinford Hospital School is fabulous. Such a great range of activities, pastoral care, academics and sport. I have been parent to a day pupil and a flexi. It is increasingly competitive to get in due to the no VAT element and you are only paying for the board not the education. Definitely worth a look.

ladyamy · 22/10/2025 07:00

Decorhate · 21/10/2025 21:10

There is one not too far from me. I don't know much about it other than the school as a whole has a good academic reputation.

@ladyamy I think historically these were aimed at children of service families and missionaries where the parents were spending lots of periods of time outside the UK.

Ah ok! Thanks

helpfulperson · 22/10/2025 07:51

We have these is Scotland for teenagers from some of the islands who do their primary education locally but board weekly on the mainland.

FenceBooksCycle · 22/10/2025 08:07

ladyamy · 21/10/2025 20:52

I’ve never heard of state boarding schools but I would imagine any government-funded residential schools would be for SEBN, or additional learning needs.

Not true. They exist and aren't just SEN schools. There's various reasons why a boarding school might be the best option for a state pupil - if there's no senior school within a reasonable commute of their home; if both parents are in the military; if the school has a particular specialism. Some looked-after children (ie in the care of the state) may be best off in a boarding school. In most cases while the education is fully state funded the boarding element is charged for (though the LEA may pay if the school is the only possible option, and there may be bursaries)

Dellarobia · 22/10/2025 08:13

My DC go to a state boarding school (Hockerill), although they are day pupils. It's a great school with excellent 6th form outcomes and good pastoral care.

Kary26 · 22/10/2025 08:21

Keswick is a state boarding school, great location in the Lake District.

samlovesdilys · 22/10/2025 08:43

My son’s school was one - most the boarders were sports players who just lived to rurally to participate otherwise. Care seemed strong and students were well supported.

twistytwin · 22/10/2025 08:46

ladyamy · 21/10/2025 20:52

I’ve never heard of state boarding schools but I would imagine any government-funded residential schools would be for SEBN, or additional learning needs.

If you’ve never heard of them or know anything about them, why would you give an opinion on what they might be for?!

There are 30ish state boarding schools in the country - one near us is a grammar school with about a third of the total pupils boarding. Pupils come from local areas, UK wide, and further afield abroad. You only need to have a British passport or right of residence here to access the education, then boarding fees are on top at about 5k a term. It’s a great alternative to an independent senior in terms of cost.

JazzyBBBG · 22/10/2025 08:59

I'd also add a lot of these are under the 90's "grant maintained" system and seem to have more funding), be self sufficient, without the need to be controlled by a greedy academy.

Original poster
moretothepoint · 22/10/2025 13:21

JazzyBBBG · 22/10/2025 08:59

I'd also add a lot of these are under the 90's "grant maintained" system and seem to have more funding), be self sufficient, without the need to be controlled by a greedy academy.

thats a good point, not something I thought about

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 22/10/2025 19:10

A few years ago we looked at Sexey’s for DS, as a potential second choice high school, if he didn’t get into our first choice school locally. We’re a bit too rural to have an easy/obvious second choice.
Sexey’s is close to where DM lived at the time.

As it happened, Covid came along and put paid to that idea, but DS also got into his/our first choice locally. I would have been more than happy with Sexey’s though, but be warned that whilst the education element is free, you pay for the boarding, at around £5k/term.

MKDmumofflash · 22/10/2025 21:09

My daughter's at a state boarding grammar school. We live rurally and it gives her the chance to participate in everything the school has to offer without a long commute. Results are excellent, especially at 6th form and pastoral care is great.

Crikeyalmighty · 22/10/2025 21:13

My son went to Royal Alexander for 2 years from 12 to 14 - loved it for first18 months but then got fed up when a lot of his friends moved on ( army children) - as an only 1 he loved the company and fun times and we thought pastoral care was good -academically it was good for him too as forced him to do prep etc -

EBearhug · 22/10/2025 21:17

Friend's children are/were (one now at uni) at Gordon's, but as day pupils. Cousin's children are at Wymondham, buy again as day pupils. The schools seem to be good, but not entirely sure about pastoral- I would assume they are quite good, but don't know for sure.

(So that's helpful of me...)

antarlie · 22/10/2025 21:27

Royal alexandra and Albert school is meant to be good. State boarding and day /flexi boarding.

Original poster
moretothepoint · 22/10/2025 21:34

EBearhug · 22/10/2025 21:17

Friend's children are/were (one now at uni) at Gordon's, but as day pupils. Cousin's children are at Wymondham, buy again as day pupils. The schools seem to be good, but not entirely sure about pastoral- I would assume they are quite good, but don't know for sure.

(So that's helpful of me...)

What did you hear about Wymondham? That’s a school on our radar

OP posts:
EBearhug · 22/10/2025 21:48

moretothepoint · 22/10/2025 21:34

What did you hear about Wymondham? That’s a school on our radar

Show quote history

Her boys are doing well there,and both children and the parents are happy with it, is about as much as I know really.

SchoolsMum · 23/10/2025 14:03

There area quite a few state boarding schools across the country. You mention your child is in year 10 - are you looking for a sixth form place? The state boarding schools can offer a boarding environment at a fraction of the price of an independent boarding school, but with fewer frills and often the boarders are a very small percentage of the school - also some are selective at 6th Form as they are linked with grammar schools e.g. Cranbrook School in Kent or not as selective such as Wymondham or St George's Harpenden, which is a faith school. You don't mention where in the country you are looking and why you are looking at them - do PM me and I can maybe be more specific in advice!

Pharazon · 23/10/2025 14:04

ladyamy · 21/10/2025 20:52

I’ve never heard of state boarding schools but I would imagine any government-funded residential schools would be for SEBN, or additional learning needs.

The most cursory google would have told you this is not the case.