Together we thrive

Boarding

Boarding at Highfield and Brookham is extremely popular but also completely optional. Our boarding provision has always been an integral part of the prep school and perhaps the continued popularity reflects how well we do it. Our flexible contemporary boarding provision means that if you are considering boarding for your child we are sure we can offer something that suits them. We offer everything from two nights per week to the ever-popular full boarding experience.

One of our many strengths is our diverse national and international community. We have always enjoyed a strong association with Armed Forces families and we are honoured to have been welcoming children from overseas for more than decade. Throughout our history we have been able provide outstanding pastoral care and the full boarding experience for children whose families may be abroad. The thriving boarding community means that no child will ever feel alone if their parents are out of the country. They are part of a large extended family who care for and support them every step of the way.

Evenings

As the school day draws to a close at 4.40pm the boarding evening is just beginning. The evenings should feel like your child’s own time – this is extremely important to us, and them. Until 5.30pm your child will be able to choose what do. They are able to join other boarders and day children in one of our inspiring clubs or some days they may choose to enjoy the simple luxury of changing into their home clothes and sitting out on Chapel field and casually chatting with a group of friends.

After activities the bell is rung and prep starts promptly at 5.30pm. This time is supervised by an academic member of staff to support your child and help them to complete work effectively. As children get closer to end-of-term exams, time will be allotted for revision sessions in the evening and staff will be on hand to help your child prepare for upcoming assessments and tests across all subjects.

At the end of prep time the children enjoy supper together in the main dining hall. But the evening doesn’t stop there. After their meal, the boarders are provided with a list of evening activities on offer. They can choose to relax with a film, enjoy a friendly game of table football or dance the night away at a disco. We also help keep our boarders informed of current affairs by providing age-appropriate newspapers in our three common rooms.

Bedtimes are staggered depending on year groups. For our youngest children, bedtime is 8.00pm, and up to 8.40pm for our senior boarders. This is followed by quiet time with some reading or listening to a story before lights out.

Throughout the year boarders are thrilled by our ‘showstopper’ evenings. These include highly-anticipated activities such as the colour run, slip ‘n’ slide and the inter-dorm dance competition. These events are extremely popular and often see children who might not normally stay that particular evening booking an extra night so they don’t miss out.

If your child chooses to learn a musical instrument time will be allocated in the evening to head over to our Music School to practise.

Weekends

Day and boarding Prep school children attend school on Saturday. Saturday’s schedule consists of a morning of academic extension lessons followed by sports fixtures in the afternoon.

Weekends are cherished time for our full boarders. There is a more leisurely pace and children get to enjoy more of their favourite part of boarding – being with their friends. Saturday evenings are immense fun. After some down time and supper, Saturdays often involve relaxing with a film and enjoying a cheeky treat of popcorn or milkshakes.

Sundays offer a gentle start to the day with a ‘pyjama breakfast’ at 9am. Each weekend there is a either an on-site activity such as zorbing, a scavenger hunt or circus skills or off-site activities such as bowling in Guildford, visiting the cinema in Portsmouth or ice-skating in Winchester. Our Secret Santa at the end of the autumn term is always extremely popular and often sees our weekly boarders staying for the weekend.

We have exeat weekends throughout the year. We have four in the autumn term, two before and two after half term. The spring term follows the same pattern but there is only one exeat weekend after half term in the summer term.

Exeat weekends are obligatory. The school closes for the weekend and is open again on Sunday evening for our full boarders to return. Exeats are treasured by children and their families. Our international children head out to their guardians’ houses to enjoy some time away from school. Boarders who have parents overseas are often invited to stay with friends, which is a lovely option in addition to seeing their guardian.

The approach to boarding is excellent and there’s a great balance of freedom and guidance.

Food

One thing is for sure – your child will not go hungry. The day kicks off with a filling breakfast buffet. Your child has a plethora of choices to suit their mood. There is always a hot option such as beans on toast, potato waffles or porridge, as well as a full counter of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals and pastries.

Morning break is at 10.30am. To provide your child with a slow release of energy to keep them focused until lunch they will have a carbohydrate-based snack. Lunch break is at 12.45pm until 1.45pm. The time your child will be called for lunch rotates throughout the week, so sometimes they will eat first and then enjoy the fresh air and sometimes the other way around. To maintain your child’s energy levels throughout the day they are offered a snack during afternoon break at 3.15pm.

Supper is served from 6.15pm and offers your child the comfort of a delicious homecooked meal after a busy day. Children and boarding staff all sit down together and often the Nurse joins too. All meal times offer a selection of hot and cold dishes, as well as options for children with a range of dietary requirements. We use locally grown and environmentally sustainable food. We are committed to making as much use as appropriate of organic, natural food products and Fairtrade produce and to eliminate genetically-modified food and potentially harmful food additives in all of your child’s food.

And in case that’s not enough – toast and milk is available to your child in the dining hall every evening before bed to ensure they don’t go to sleep with a rumbling tummy.

Pupil Care

We acknowledge that every child will have been brought up with different routines that are unique to them and their family. We have built a community here where differences are not only tolerated but also celebrated and respected. To help your child settle and follow the boarding routine they will be allocated a ‘boarding buddy’ to show them the ropes. They will introduce them to the boarding team, including the nurses, and explain to them the most important aspect of boarding life – that there is always someone to talk to. Your child is encouraged to speak to any member of staff they want to. We will make sure they know that all adults are prepared to listen and want to help in any given situation.

We have very thorough lines of communication to ensure we know about any matters that might be affecting your child. Our staff meet weekly to discuss every child in the boarding houses, which ensures your child is acknowledged, known and valued by all staff members. The Director of Boarding is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead and sits on the School Pastoral Care Committee which meets weekly with our Head, Mrs Cryer, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Heads of Year.

We pride ourselves on keeping as many lines of communication open as possible, so please speak to us whenever you feel you need to.

Boarding Options

Boarding can start for children from Year 3. We have options from just one night per week to the traditional full boarding option, available from Year 4. Our boarding provision aims to be flexible to suit modern family life. Our current contemporary boarding provision has been adapted to reflect current demand from families.

Our boarding numbers grow throughout the year, with summer term always the most popular. Typically, we start September with about 100 boarders and this grows to nearly 150 by the end of the academic year.

We offer trial nights for children who want to give boarding a go before they commit to regular boarding. Your child is entitled to book up to three trial nights a year to join their peers for an exciting sleepover at school!

Full Boarding
Weekly Boarding
Flexi Boarding
Additional Boarding

Full boarding is the complete package offered to children in Year 4 to Year 8. It allows your child to experience the whole week, including weekends. Roughly a quarter of our boarders board full time, including international children, Forces children and local children who want to experience full boarding before senior school. Weekends are treasured by our boarders as they enjoy more of their favourite part of boarding – being with their friends.

Sundays offer a relaxed start with a ‘pyjama breakfast’ at 9am. Each weekend there is a either an on-site or off-site activity such as bowling in Guildford, going to the cinema in Portsmouth or fairground rides at Hollycombe. Our weekly boarders always have the option to book additional nights to join our full boarders for the most popular weekend activities – ice skating in Winchester being one of them.

Weekly boarding is available from Year 3 to Year 8. Approximately half of our boarders choose this option. As a weekly boarder your child will arrive at school on Monday morning and return home on Saturday, allowing them to experience the joys of being part of our thriving boarding family.

If your child doesn’t have school on a Saturday they are collected at 9am, if they do have Saturday School they will be collected at the end of the school day. We also value seeing our families at Sunday Chapel, which has been an important part of boarding for many years. We would love to invite your child to stay after Sunday Chapel and there will be no extra charge.

Flexi-boarding offers choice and flexibility. A minimum of one night a week is available for children in Year 3 to Year 5. A minimum of two nights per week for children in Year 6 and 7. And a minimum of three nights per week for children in Year 8. Flexi boarding allows children to continue to participate in commitments outside of school while still reaping all the benefits associated with boarding.

Families will be able to choose termly which set nights they would like their child to stay. Having set nights allows children to settle into their own unique routine and helps them relax into the joys of boarding.

Additional boarding gives children who aren’t full boarders the option to book extra nights in our Boarding House on a more flexible basis. As we do not ‘hot bed’, your child’s bed is always available to them on other nights when they need it, or simply when they want to stay for that extra special weekend activity. We all know how popular the Winchester Christmas Market is!

Boarding House

Our Boarding House is home to up to 130 children from Year 3 to Year 8, alongside our Head of Boys’ Boarding, Head of Girls’ Boarding, and a team of enthusiastic graduate assistants. Our Director of Boarding lives just a short distance away from the Boarding House.

There are 22 dorms across two floors, ranging in size from four to ten beds. The house is divided into a girls’ end (12 dorms) and a boys’ end (10 dorms), each with its own common room and multiple bathrooms. Our junior boarding corridors provide dedicated dorms and bathrooms, ensuring that our youngest boarders are close to key staff, including matrons, nurses, and graduate assistants.

At the heart of the Boarding House is the Matron’s workroom. Our exceptional matrons are central to the smooth running of boarding life, ensuring children are well cared for and, crucially, have the correct item of uniform at the right time. The Matron’s workroom also features a large table, perfect for a game of table tennis after a busy day of lessons.

Dorm Structure

One of the many benefits of boarding is learning to become part of a tight-knit community and forming new relationships with ease. Your child will experience living, working and socialising with a diverse group of children. Understanding how to interact with and relate to people with different characteristics and interests is one of the many benefits boarding has to offer.

Our dorms help facilitate this learning process. Dorms are shuffled every term to help your child build new relationships and improve existing ones. Your child’s feelings are always listened to and valued and dorms are structured carefully so your child will always be sharing with a least one chosen friend.

Our dorms are purposefully decorated in neutral but warm colours allowing your child to bring their personality to them. Your child will be actively encouraged to decorate their beds and pinboards with photos, posters and blankets. Every year there is a fiercely competitive dorm decorating competition showing that room appearance is taken very seriously. Another reason, in addition to the competitive edge, is that decorating their bed and pinboard will give your child a place that is solely theirs, a secure area they can retreat to after a busy day. Your child will feel a sense of pride in their area while learning to respect their dormmates’ space.

Prep School

Admissions

What we’re up to…

2 days ago

New baby and toddler swim classes! Starting next term, we’re welcoming little swimmers aged 6–24 months. These are gentle, fun sessions with qualified coaches and are perfect for building water confidence at your child’s own pace, whether it’s their first splash or not! Join us for a lovely positive experience for you and your child. And please do share with any friends and family with little ones. Book now ➡️ https://highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/school-plus/swim-school/

3 days ago

From sharpening football skills to diving into dodgeball, basketball and more, it’s been fantastic to see the children getting stuck in, trying new sports and building confidence along the way at our Super Sports club this Easter. With expert coaching, brilliant energy and access to our fantastic facilities, every child has the chance to develop their skills, learn new techniques and, most importantly, have fun. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates, we’d love to see them join us! #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #holidayclubs #sports #SchoolHolidays

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4 days ago

From den building and woodland games to nature crafts and balancing on the slack lines, the children have been fully immersed in the magic of the outdoors at our Nature Days holiday club. It’s been fantastic to see the children explore, create and play together in our beautiful woodland setting under the expert eye of the team at Corylus Collective. If your child would like to join us at a future Nature Days Clubs or another one of our fabulous clubs, do keep an eye out for upcoming dates on our website, we’d love to welcome them. Head to➡️https://highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/holiday-clubs/

5 days ago

Last term our Chapel Choir tour embarked on an exceptional musical journey to Vienna. The trip brought together performance, culture and unforgettable experiences. We’re proud to share reflections from parents on a truly inspiring trip. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #choralmusic #chapelchoir

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5 days ago

6 days ago

We are delighted that we have achieved the Woodland Trust Silver Award for Outstanding Environmental Commitment. Head to the link in our bio to read the full story. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @woodlandtrust

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6 days ago

We are delighted that we have achieved the Woodland Trust Silver Award for Outstanding Environmental Commitment. Read the full story below:

7 days ago

Wishing everyone in the Highfield and Brookham community a very happy Easter. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #easter

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7 days ago

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7 days ago

This Easter Sunday, we’re looking back on a special moment from our recent choir tour in Vienna. This is our Chapel Choir singing O Be Joyful by Toby Young in St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #choralmusic #chapelchoir #vienna #ststephanscathedral

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7 days ago

This Easter Sunday, we’re looking back on a special moment from our recent choir tour in Vienna. This is our Chapel Choir singing O Be Joyful by Toby Young in St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna. We wish everyone a very Happy Easter. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #choralmusic #chapelchoir #vienna #ststephanscathedral

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1 weeks ago

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter weekend. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sound of our Chapel Choir singing Thy Word is a Lamp to my Feet by Colin Mawby in St Peter’s Church, Vienna as part of their recent tour. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #choralmusic #chapelchoir #vienna #stpetersvienna

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1 weeks ago

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter weekend. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sound of our Chapel Choir signing in St Peter’s Church, Vienna as part of their recent tour. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #choralmusic #chapelchoir #vienna #stpetersvienna

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1 weeks ago

We are looking for a talented, hands-on Digital Content Creator to help tell the story of our thriving school community. This exciting role is all about capturing the moments that matter, sharing school life with current families and inspiring new ones to join our community. Working closely with the Director of Marketing and Admissions, you’ll play a key role in supporting admissions and raising the profile of the school through engaging digital content. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer at the start of your career or an experienced content creator seeking a role with purpose and variety, we’d love to hear from you. Head to our website via the link in our bio to download the full job description. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #jobs #digitalcontentcreator

220

1 weeks ago

We are looking for a talented, hands-on Digital Content Creator to help tell the story of our thriving school community. This exciting role is all about capturing the moments that matter, sharing school life with current families and inspiring new ones to join our community. Working closely with the Director of Marketing and Admissions, you’ll play a key role in supporting admissions and raising the profile of the school through engaging digital content. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer at the start of your career or an experienced content creator seeking a role with purpose and variety, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Download the full job description to find out more highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/about/careers/

2 weeks ago

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked hot cross buns to brighten a spring day. In Cookery Club, the children have been busy mixing, kneading and shaping their dough, learning about traditional Easter baking along the way. It’s a wonderful hands-on way to explore new skills, build confidence and discover the science behind cooking. Even more special, it’s been a relaxed and happy holiday club, full of laughter, teamwork and friendships. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #holidayclubs #EasterBaking #CookeryClub #SchoolHolidays

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2 weeks ago

Our Cookery Club has been filled with the scent of freshly baked hot cross buns today as pupils rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with this much-loved Easter tradition. From measuring and mixing to kneading the dough, every step is a chance to build confidence, creativity and a little bit of culinary science too! Most importantly, it’s been a joyful day of laughter, friendships and holiday fun. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #holidayclubs #EasterBaking #CookeryClub #SchoolHolidays

120

2 weeks ago

There’s hands-on creativity in action at our Easter Crafts club led by @feltybee_crafts as the children explore the beautiful art of wet felting and transform wool into some wonderfully tactile creations. A lovely, calm, creative way to unwind and learn a new skill this holiday. There’s a few places left on some great clubs this Easter, head to the link in our bio to find out more. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #eastercrafts #holidayclubs 3 d

250

2 weeks ago

After a busy term, there’s real magic in the simple things, time to play, explore and unwind. Our Multi-Activities Holiday Club is just one of the many enriching holiday clubs we offer at Highfield and Brookham, designed to keep children active, engaged and smiling all holiday long. We still have one or two places left on some of our clubs this Easter, take a look here ➡️ highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/holiday-clubs/ #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #holidayclubs

2 weeks ago

Our Year 1 children stepped back in time on a visit to the @rurallifelm to experience the rhythms of traditional countryside living, collecting eggs, “milking” the cow, gathering water and even trying their hand at washing clothes the old-fashioned way. Through hands on exploration and full of curiosity, the children gained a deeper appreciation for where our food comes from, how daily life has changed and the skills people once relied on every day. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #HandsOnLearning #OutdoorEducation

331

2 weeks ago

How do we prepare children for a world that’s changing faster than ever? Join us for Raising the Future, an inspiring conference exploring how schools, parents and leaders can rethink education for the years ahead. You’ll hear from expert speakers, explore bold ideas and connect with others who believe education must evolve. • Insightful talks • Big ideas for future-ready learning • Meaningful conversations If you care about the future of education, join us and be part of the conversation. you. Tickets are available here ➡️ highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/school-plus/raising-the-future/ #RaisingTheFuture #EducationEvents #FutureSkills #ParentsInEducation #SchoolLeadership Bedales School

2 weeks ago

Year 6 produced an unforgettable performance of Roald Dahl’s The Witches. Drama provides every pupil with the opportunity to step into the spotlight in their own way which builds confidence beyond the theatre. In this celebration of imaginative storytelling, we witnessed courageous performances and pupils supporting one another every step of the way. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

231

2 weeks ago

There were some truly spellbinding performances from our Year 6 cast in their production of The Witches. From bold character choices to brilliant teamwork, this production really had it all with the children mastering creativity and confidence and adding just a touch of mischief. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #drama #roalddahl #TheWitches

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3 weeks ago

We loved welcoming @samhooper15 from @englandhockey to Highfield and Brookham. Sharing his journey and working with the boys on developing their skills, Sam gave a real insight into what it takes to succeed and inspired them to aim high and dream big. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex #prepschoolsports #hockey

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3 weeks ago

We were delighted to welcome Sam Hooper from England Hockey to Highfield and Brookham. Sam worked with our boys’ hockey players on developing their skills and shared his journey to representing England. Visits like this are incredibly inspiring, giving our pupils a real insight into what it takes to succeed and encouraging them to dream big. Thank you, Sam, for inspiring the next generation. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex #prepschoolsports #hockey

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Together we thrive

Boarding

Boarding

Evenings

Weekends

Food

Pupil Care

Boarding Options

Boarding House

Dorm Structure

Prep School

Admissions

What we’re up to…

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