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We answer some of the most common questions we get asked about boarding and living at the Stephen Perse Foundation. 

If you still have questions after reading this page, get in touch with our boarding team and we’d be happy to help. 

Who can board?
 

Full-time boarding is available to UK and International students aged 15 or over who are at our Sixth Form. As full boarders students are with us for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our boarding houses are always staffed 24/7 and our knowledgeable, friendly and trained boarding house staff are always available.

Can I choose which boarding house I live in? 
No, we will allocate you a room in one of our two boarding houses. You can expect the same high quality accommodation, excellent facilities and dedicated pastoral care across both houses. Each of our boarding houses is staffed 24/7 and is centrally located just a short walk or cycle away from our teaching buildings.
Are students expected to do their own cleaning and laundry? 

Our cleaners will thoroughly clean each student room and replace bed linen on a weekly basis. We ask that rooms are kept tidy to help our cleaners do their jobs. 

Each boarding house has washing machines and dryers so that students can manage their own laundry. Staff are on hand 24/7 and happy to offer guidance where needed. 

What is the food provision?  

Breakfast, lunch and evening meals are provided Monday to Friday - breakfast and evening meals are provided in the boarding house, and lunch is provided at the Sixth Form. At the weekends breakfast, lunch and an evening meal are provided in each boarding house. 

All food is prepared by the Stephen Perse Foundation’s carefully chosen external catering provider. The food is wholesome and healthy, and we cater for most special dietary needs, from vegetarian to Halal. Our catering manager is always happy to listen to feedback and meal suggestions, so students have real input into their dining choices. 

What is a boarder’s typical daily routine?  

At the weekends: Breakfast, lunch and evening meals are provided in the boarding house.

Monday to Friday
Welfare check: 07:15
Breakfast: 07:30-08:30
Welfare check: 18:00
Supper: 18:00-19:00
Study: 19:00-21:00 (Not applicable on Fridays)
Welfare check and curfew: 22:00 (23:00 for Year 13 on Friday)

Saturday 
Welfare check: 08:45
Breakfast: 09:00-10:00
Lunch: 13:00-14:00
Welfare check: 18:00
Supper: 18:00-19:00
Welfare check and curfew: 22:00 (23:00 for Year 13 on Saturday)

Sunday

Welfare check: 08:45

Brunch: 11:00-13:00

Welfare check: 18:00

Supper: 17:50-18:50

Welfare check: 22:00

Do international students need an educational guardian?  

All international students, regardless of age, must have an educational guardian while studying with us. We fully expect guardians to play an important part in the student’s boarding life and they should communicate with the student’s tutor at the beginning of their course. Guardians are also expected to attend parents’ days or arrange a representative to attend in their absence. Parents who have appointed a guardian that plays no part in the boarder’s life at school and does not make the effort to visit will be asked to change the guardian to a company or individual who is more appropriate.

To achieve these standards, we have adopted the AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Pupils) Code of Practice as a standard for our guardians and ask those selected to confirm that they are either a member of AEGIS, or agree to abide the AEGIS Code of Practice and Guidelines. You can download a copy of these guidelines here.

What medical care is available?  
Our boarders are all fully supported medically, and they have access to excellent medical care and counselling services if needed. All boarding house staff are fully trained first aiders.