St Davids College

Boarding

Boarding

Boarding life is like being on a constant sleepover with all your friends; you find yourself getting on with everyone in the house and they all become like your siblings.
Olivia, Head Girl 2019-2020

Welcome To Boarding Life

Belonging to a happy, positive, family community is the key to the success of our pupils at St David's College, a renowned UK Boarding School. This sense of community and belonging comes from our holistic approach to education which values equally the academic, the physical, and the pastoral well-being of our pupils – the mind, the body, and spirit. For many of our pupils, being a boarder at one of the top Boarding Schools in the UK is a critical element in this package; yet for all pupils, the boarding ethos of the school is at the heart of the St David’s approach to learning.

We believe that life in a UK Boarding School should be an all-encompassing experience where pupils are given the support and confidence to get involved and dare to ‘have a go’. By joining the nurturing and caring boarding community of St David’s College, pupils feel an immense sense of belonging, developing life-long friendships, skills, and interests. The boarding experience in our Boarding Schools in the UK provides the ideal environment for personal growth and a well-rounded education.

A Vibrant Community

All senior boarding staff at St David's are qualified teachers, ensuring a strong connection between academic and pastoral life. Additionally, all full-time teachers undertake boarding house duties, further strengthening these links.

The boarding staff work closely with parents and pupils, prioritising individual support. We highly value the involvement of parents in the boarding experience and actively encourage their input, queries, and visits. We provide numerous official opportunities for parents to visit the school and receive feedback. However, we welcome communication at any time through various means such as email, WhatsApp, Telegram Messenger, or phone.

Our boarding option is available on a full-time basis, although some boarders may choose to go home on occasional weekends. Furthermore, we enthusiastically encourage day pupils to make use of the boarding facilities whenever needed, provided there is available space. This can also serve as an opportunity for day pupils to gain a glimpse of boarding life before committing to it on a full-time basis.

St David’s College provides pupils with an exceptional quality of care, support and guidance
Estyn, 2019

What is a typical day for a boarder?

07:30

Boarders get up by 7:30am, make their beds, wash, and get ready

08:00

Breakfast in the Dining Hall

08:35

Registration and Tutor Period

08:45-09:00

Assembly

09:00

Classes start in school

Sixth Form Boarders can return to Boarding Houses during lunch break

17:00

End of School Day

Pupils return to their Boarding Houses for supervised Prep

Quiet time in Boarding Houses (supervised)

Independent study (Sixth Form)

17:45

Supper

18:30 -20:00

Activities or Free time

20:00-21:00

Free time/prepare for bed (Years 5-8)

Independent study / free time (Years 9-13)

Pupils to pack bags for the next day, shower, and get ready for bed

21:00 23:00

Lights out – time dependent on ages

Sue Davies

Head of Boarding

Mrs Sue Davies

Head of Boarding & Pastoral Care