Comfortable, homely boarding houses
Our boarding houses provide comfortable, homely environments where pupils feel safe, happy, and at home. Spacious dormitories and welcoming common rooms create a family atmosphere where friendships flourish.
Boarding accommodation
What are the boarding houses like?
Windlesham House has boarding accommodation for over 80 full-time boarders, with additional capacity for flexi and occasional boarders. Our boarding houses are warm, welcoming, and well-maintained. They provide pupils with their own space while encouraging the communal living that makes boarding special.
Each boarding house has its own character and atmosphere, but all share the same commitment to creating a home from home for pupils. Houses are led by experienced houseparents who live in or adjacent to the boarding areas, supported by residential matrons and boarding assistants.
What facilities do boarding houses have?
Dormitories
Boarders sleep in dormitories ranging from 4 to 8 beds, depending on the house and age group. Dormitories are spacious and well-ventilated, with comfortable beds and adequate storage for each pupil. Younger boarders typically share larger dormitories where they feel secure with friends nearby. Older pupils in Years 7 and 8 have smaller dormitories providing more privacy as they mature.
Each pupil has:
- A comfortable bed with quality mattress and bedding
- Bedside table with lamp for reading
- Storage space including drawers, shelving, and hanging space
- Space to display personal photographs and treasured items from home
- Tuck box for storing snacks and personal treats
Common rooms
Each boarding house has comfortable common rooms where pupils relax, socialize, play games, and watch approved television programmes. Common rooms are equipped with sofas, games tables, books, and age-appropriate entertainment. These spaces are central to boarding house life, where pupils unwind after the school day and build friendships.
Bathrooms
Modern bathroom facilities with showers, baths, toilets, and washbasins are provided throughout the boarding houses. Pupils have privacy while washing and bathing, with separate facilities for boys and girls. Hot water is available at all times, and bathrooms are cleaned daily by housekeeping staff.
Prep rooms
Dedicated prep (homework) rooms provide quiet spaces for boarders to complete their academic work under staff supervision. These rooms are equipped with desks, good lighting, reference materials, and access to computers when needed for research or assignments.
Kitchenettes
Small kitchenettes in boarding houses allow pupils to make hot drinks, prepare simple snacks, and store refrigerated items. These facilities are supervised, and pupils learn basic food preparation skills in a safe environment.
How are boarding houses organized?
Age-appropriate grouping
Boarding houses are organized by age and gender, ensuring pupils live with peers at similar developmental stages. Younger boarders (Years 3 to 5) are accommodated separately from older boarders (Years 6 to 8), allowing us to tailor routines, supervision levels, and activities appropriately.
House staff structure
Each boarding house has dedicated staff who provide care and supervision:
- Houseparents
Experienced educators who lead each boarding house, responsible for the overall welfare, discipline, and happiness of boarders in their care - Matrons
Qualified nurses or care professionals who manage daily routines, medical needs, laundry, and provide nurturing support - Boarding assistants
Additional staff who assist with supervision, activities, and bedtime routines - Night staff
Staff remain on duty overnight to respond to any needs, including a member of senior leadership living on site
What personal items can boarders bring?
Boarders are encouraged to bring items from home that make them feel comfortable and settled:
Recommended items
- Photographs of family, friends, and pets
- Favourite cuddly toy or comfort item
- Books, magazines, and reading material
- Games, cards, and hobby materials
- Musical instruments (if learning)
- Sports equipment for personal use
Items provided by school
- Bedding, pillows, and duvets
- Towels and flannels
- School uniform items
- Sports kit and equipment
- Toiletries (basic items)
- Stationery for homework
How is laundry managed?
Full laundry service is included in boarding fees. Pupils place used clothing and bedding in designated laundry bags, which are collected daily. Clean, folded laundry is returned to pupils’ dormitories within 24 to 48 hours. The school employs dedicated laundry staff who wash, dry, fold, and return over 100 loads of laundry daily.
All clothing must be clearly labelled with pupils’ names to ensure items return to the correct owner. The Admissions office provides information about name labels and suppliers when pupils confirm their place.
What about security and safety?
The safety and security of boarding pupils is paramount. Measures include:
- Staff presence
Boarding staff are always present in boarding houses, with staff sleeping in or adjacent to boarding areas - Fire safety
Regular fire drills, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and clear evacuation procedures - Building security
Controlled access to boarding areas with CCTV coverage in common areas (not dormitories) - Medical support
Qualified nurses in the Medical Centre, available 24 hours a day for emergencies - Safeguarding
All staff undergo enhanced DBS checks and regular safeguarding training - Senior leadership oversight
A member of the Senior Leadership Team lives on site for additional oversight and emergency response
Can siblings board together?
Siblings of similar ages may share dormitories if this suits them and space allows. However, some siblings prefer to have separate friendship groups and dormitories, which we also support. We discuss preferences with families during the admissions process and remain flexible based on what works best for each child.
What happens if a child is unwell during the night?
Boarding staff conduct regular checks throughout the night and respond immediately if a child is unwell. We have qualified nurses who can be called at any time. For serious illness or injury, we contact parents immediately and can arrange emergency medical care through local GPs or hospital services.
How do you ensure boarders get enough sleep?
We maintain strict bedtimes appropriate to age, ranging from 8:00pm for Year 3 to 9:30pm for Year 8. Matrons ensure pupils settle quickly with lights out enforced shortly after bedtime. We balance activity levels during the day to ensure pupils are ready for sleep. Boarders typically get 9 to 10 hours of sleep per night, supporting their health and academic performance.
Visiting boarding houses
We encourage prospective families to tour our boarding houses during visits. Seeing the accommodation first-hand helps families and children understand what boarding life would be like. Current boarders are often available to show visitors around and answer questions honestly.
