LIFE IN BOARDING
|
|
Our four boarding houses all make clear cases for their share in the slogan above. Denstone boarding offers an immersive schooling experience, where the educational process is enhanced, not only with more input, but also through the natural fostering of the attitudes and attributes for successful learning and development.
Each of our boarding houses provides a friendly and safe home at school. Each house is led by an experienced Housemaster or Housemistress, along with a team of tutors and a matron, all of whom work together to meet the needs and promote the best possible outcomes for their particular group of boarders.
‘Board: never to be confused with ‘bored’’
Boarders have ease of access to the extensive range of sporting and extra-curricular opportunities on offer, and they are able to optimise their intake of all the lessons supporting personal development which such experiences offer. Much of this happens back in the boarding houses, where self-reflection takes place within the context of peers doing the same, along with tutors mentoring and coaching, drawing on their extensive expertise and experience.
| Read more |
|---|
|
The social and independent-living aspects of boarding are hard to match. Our young people have countless opportunities to meet others and build strong friendships for life, and they learn to take responsibility for themselves and each other. They learn a huge amount about others, themselves and how to build friendships and get along with people they might not feel naturally drawn to. With an ambitious and exciting programme of evening activities and both a Saturday and Sunday trip each week, boarders tend to find themselves busy, outgoing, and having lots of fun in taking part and in being around their friends who will be doing the same. Concerned that boredom today is very present, and frequently staved off by an excess of digital experiences, we believe boarding offers a valuable, tried-and-tested alternative. We would love to show you around one or more of our boarding houses, and can assure you that you will see exactly what we mean when we say that ‘board’ should never be confused with ‘bored’. |
Typical boarding day
| Times | activities |
|---|---|
| 0700 | Optional sporting session for boarders. |
| 0800 | Breakfast and roll calls. |
| 0845 | School time. Eight lessons, house and tutorial meetings, assembly, and activities or sport at the end of the day. |
| 1730 | End of the school day. Opportunity to change and relax before the evening. |
| 1800 | Supper. |
| 1845 | Boarding house registration and meeting. |
| 1900 | Supervised prep (either in bedsits or the library). Laptops are available for boarders to use. Staff with a range of academic backgrounds are available to offer support. |
| 1945/2000/2030 (depending on age) | Prep ends, activities start. Boarders can relax or take part in an evening activity. The activities on offer might include: badminton tournament, design your own T-shirt, baking, climbing wall, UCAS support, foreign language support. |
| Boarders then have set in-house times and bed times. |
Types of Boarding:
We offer the following range of boarding packages:
- Full boarding
- Weekly boarding (5 days)
- Flexi boarding (2-3 days per week)
- Casual boarding (charged per night, with irregular needs accommodated subject to beds being available).
DENSTONACITY IN ACTION
See what Denstonacity really means through the lens of our Senior students, where you’ll meet the incredible individuals who bring our school to life!
Dive into their stories of passion, achievement, and ambition, and get a glimpse of the dynamic energy that drives our community. Each bio is a snapshot of a unique journey—explore and be inspired!
Alma
Former Senior (4 - 5) German Pupil
Boarding life was a new experience for me, but I quickly adapted to the routines and schedules. In fact, living in the boarding house became one of the best parts of my year abroad. I appreciated the balance of independence and structure, and I was never truly alone, surrounded by supportive friends. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would handle sharing a room, but having a roommate turned out to be an incredible experience. I’m certain that I’ve made lifelong friends during my time in boarding.
Fin
Sixth Form Student
I joined Denstone College in Lower Sixth as a weekly boarder after joining the Leicester Tigers Academy. Boarding has helped me balance my rugby and academics, with staff always on hand for support.
Having everything in one place allows me to train in the gym, practice in the Drill Hall, and stay on top of my studies during prep time. The welcoming environment makes it easy to focus and improve.
Since joining, my rugby has developed significantly, thanks to expert coaching—so much so that I’ve been selected for the U17s England rugby camp.
Mar
Current Senior (4-5) Spanish Pupil
I love boarding—there’s always something to do! Evening activities keep things fun, but you can also rest if needed. Weekends are great, with the option to join trips or stay in boarding.
We have 45 minutes of prep, but you can stay longer if needed. Teachers are always available to help, and you can study in the library instead of your room.
I enjoy activities like gym sessions and gingerbread house building. Moss Moor has a calm, welcoming atmosphere, and I’ve made friends quickly, meeting people from different nationalities.
Connor
Current Sixth Form Chinese Boarder
I started Denstone in 1st form and I have just started in lower 6th (year 12). I have spent the most difficult time at Denstone with COVID-19. I have also changed from a small boy that could barely speak English and don’t even know how to make a tie to now an experienced international boarder knowing both side of the culture. And of course, most importantly, this has improved my socialising skill as now I have friends from many other countries and cultures.
Denstone College is a great choice for international boarders and I would highly recommend it. There are plenty of opportunities for sport and music. This is a great place to learn the culture of England or to study English.
Ivan (Lok Him)
Current Sixth Form Hong Kong Boarder
As the Head of RAF, my role is to inspire more pupils to join the RAF community. Joining the RAF Cadets has been one of the best decisions of my life. It has given me confidence, leadership skills, and experiences I never imagined possible. The RAF Cadets isn’t just about adventure – it’s about learning valuable life skills, making lifelong friends, and discovering new passions.
Whether you want to improve your confidence, develop leadership skills, or just have fun, the cadets will help you achieve your goals.
Bruno
Former Senior (4-5) Spanish Boarder
Denstone has made me develop more in many areas of my life from mentality to physical, helping me become more mature and also more independent. My main objective when coming to Denstone was to get better at my English pronunciation and my overall understanding of the Language