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Boarding Life

St Catherine’s was founded in 1885 as both a boarding and day School.  Consequently, Boarding is both an intrinsic part of the School and is fundamental to the ethos of St Catherine's.  Boarding fosters respect and concern for others and a collegiate spirit, yet gives the girls the confidence to develop their independence and their own individual character and style.  Boarding also creates a strong sense of community from which Day Girls also benefit. 

Boarding at St. Catherine’s is in age-specific groups:

  • Bronte (Age 11-13)
  • Symes (Age 13-14)
  • Keller (Age 14-16)
  • The 6 (Age 16-18)

Boarding Aims and Principles

Our Boarding Principles

St Catherine’s provides a caring and stimulating boarding environment, where boarding contributes to pupils’ overall development. Learning to live and grow up in a boarding community offers opportunities for pupils to develop as individuals in a number of important ways.

We believe that:

  1. The basis of boarding life should be co-operation; the qualities of kindness, respect, trust and unselfishness are fostered at all times.
  2. All boarders should develop an awareness of their responsibilities to self, others and the environment.
  3. Every boarder should have the opportunity to develop their talents whether academic, sporting or creative.
  4. All boarders should be able to develop and thrive spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.
  5. All boarders should enjoy an environment in which their emotional well-being is promoted and be provided with support so that they know who to turn to when in difficulty.
  6. All boarders have the right to be treated as an individual and to be respected by staff and pupils.
  7. Every boarder has the right to work, play and relax free from abuse, discrimination, intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying.
  8. Boarders should have the opportunity to communicate with their parents at all reasonable times.
  9. The welfare of each boarder is safeguarded in comfortable, well-maintained accommodation which is free from physical hazards, where health and safety requirements are adhered to.
  10. The right to privacy is acknowledged and respected by all.

Our Boarding Aims

Our central aim is to ensure pupils feel happy and fulfilled, which we believe is rooted in a strong sense of community.

We aim to provide:

  1. A family atmosphere in the house where boarders are encouraged and supported so that they may flourish academically, personally and socially. A place where boarders and staff can relax together and enjoy the benefits of community life.
  2. A supportive atmosphere of co-operation, tolerance, kindness and trust in which teasing, harassment and bullying are not tolerated.
  3. A range of extra-curricular opportunities related to age, interest and maturity that will assist in the cultural, social and emotional development of each boarder.
  4. An open and trusting atmosphere in which each boarder feels able to approach a member of staff or other boarders confident that they will be treated and respected as an individual.
  5. Accommodation that is comfortable and suitable to the needs of boarding, according to age and maturity, and which provides reasonable levels of privacy.
  6. Well-structured and supervised study conditions conducive to academic progress in line with the maturity of the boarders.
  7. A safe and healthy environment.
  8. Opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork and boarders’ sense of personal responsibility.
  9. Excellent pastoral care which introduces boarders to the community with kindness and sensitivity offering support and encouragement.
  10. Preparation for a boarder’s future life at university and beyond.

Boarding Overview

We offer weekly, occasional and full boarding, overseen by resident Housemistresses and a team of staff who live on-site. The School is situated in Bramley village three miles outside Guildford town centre (the train takes just over 40 minutes to London Waterloo from Guildford) and is also conveniently located for both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. For more information click here.

Our global boarding community includes over 19 different nationalities from across the globe. We are also a popular choice for girls from both the local Surrey, Hampshire and Greater London areas along with girls from across the UK.


If you are considering joining at 11, please do look at our guide to Boarding Beginnings in Bronte House (click on image).

Why Board?

I am often asked ‘How will my daughter benefit from boarding?’, in response I say there are numerous valuable ways in which your daughter will gain from joining the St Catherine’s boarding community.

  • Boarding offers girls a transformative experience that helps to prepare them for life ahead.
  • Girls develop a strong sense of independence allowing them to gain confidence and independence.
  • Your daughter will quickly develop life skills, learning how to give or take, when to follow and when to lead and how to deal with individuals of different temperament and character.
  • The girls have access to the wonderful School facilities and array of activities from early in the morning to late in the evening.
  • Girls make strong and global lifelong friendships and experience the camaraderie of a big 'family'.
  • With no commute, girls have greater flexibility and more time to pursue extra-curricular activities.
  • Girls are encouraged to try new activities in the boarding environment and become more resilient. 
  • They enjoy a full and stimulating weekend boarding activity programme.
  • And, critically, parents benefit from greater flexibility in managing their professional and home lives.

As a boarding parent, you are provided with a unique login where you are able to see each week the variety of activities that your daughter and fellow boarders have completed, providing you with a true insight into boarding life.  Your daughter’s housemistress will be your first point of contact and will communicate with you to regularly share updates, achievements and discuss any concerns you may have. For more information about our boarding staff and boarding houses click here.  All our major events such as Concerts, School Plays and Speech Day are live-streamed - making it possible for parents across the globe to share in their daughter's School journey.

We hope you’ll come and visit us at St Catherine’s soon.

Mrs Helen Harkness
Senior Boarding Housemistress

Admissions
Information

Senior Boarding Prefects