Boarding lies at the heart of Cheam and helps build a unique sense of community. The boarding house plays a key role in developing the school’s strong sense of family values, encouraging children to live and work together harmoniously, build friendships and develop their independence before going on to their senior schools. We offer a variety of boarding options, including weekly and flexi boarding.
Children can embark on their boarding journey from Year 4. Many begin with one night a week and increase to 3, 4 or 5 nights by Years 5,6 7 and 8. For families from London or further a-field weekly boarding enables children to come to school on Monday morning and to be collected on Saturday afternoon. Wednesday is slightly quieter boarding night due to sports fixtures, so those who do board enjoy special trips out to go bowling or for dinner.
The Boarding House is located in the centre of the School in the beautiful main building, with separate areas for boys and girls as well as a communal area called Mountbatten. It is a home away from home for our pupils, giving them a place to unwind, play, and enjoy being together.
Why board?
Developing Independence | skills for life
We believe that being part of the boarding community develops confidence, community spirit, independence, social skills, respect for others, self-motivation and responsibility. The boarding house provides a safe and nurturing environment where our boarders are able to flourish and develop as young people.
Time to play, learn and relax
There is a wide variety of activities available to the boarders in the evenings allowing them to explore and expand an array of interests. These activities range from the energetic; laser tag, swimming, dodgeball to the more relaxing; coding, cooking, film club and mindfulness. The Cheam boarding parties are also not to be missed!
Preparation for Senior Schools
At Cheam we are also preparing children for their future senior school which will most likely be full or weekly boarding. The transition to a larger school can be daunting so making sure children are happy and confident with boarding as they step into a larger arena is pivotal to success. We very much recommend that all children experience ‘weekly’ boarding before they move on to their next schools and ideally from Year 7 onwards.
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Boarding Mission Statement
- Develop the whole person, a desire for the truth and a respect for others.
- Produce an open and trusting ethos in which all children feel that they are able to approach any member of the community (staff or pupil) confident in the knowledge that they will be treated and respected as individuals.
- Create an atmosphere of tolerance, openness and trust.
- Provide a range of activities, hobbies and pastimes that will assist in personal, social and cultural development of each child.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of each child, in providing an environment that is, as far as possible, free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort.
- Provide accommodation that is comfortable and suited to the needs of children and which affords adequate levels of privacy.
- Develop the child’s responsibility for self, others and the environment.
- Develop children’s qualities of leadership and being able to work as part of a team.
- Provide suitable conditions for children to feel able to turn to members of staff to share the good things in their lives as well as being able to turn to them for advice, counselling and support in times of difficulty.
- Provide new experiences which are fun and exciting.
- Provide a safe and caring environment in which children can relax after a busy day
