Choosing a boarding school is one of the most significant decisions a family can make, and we know that one of the first questions parents and pupils have is a simple one: what does life actually look like day to day? At Farringtons, boarding is not an afterthought or a side offering. It is central to who we are, and the community built around our boarding house is something we are genuinely proud of.
What time does a typical day start for boarders?
Boarders at Farringtons wake up in a warm, well-run house where houseparents and dedicated boarding staff are on hand from the very beginning of the day. Mornings are designed to be calm and purposeful. Pupils have time to get ready, and enjoy breakfast before the school day begins. There is no sense of a rushed start. The structure gives pupils ownership of their morning while ensuring they are supported and ready.
How are lessons and activities structured during the day?
Once the school day gets underway, boarders join their day pupil peers in a full and varied timetable. Farringtons offers a broad curriculum from Early Years through to Sixth Form, and boarders benefit from exactly the same academic programme. The difference lies in what happens around lessons. Where day pupils head home at the end of the afternoon, boarders move into a second, equally rich phase of the day.
After school, there is time for sport, clubs, creative activities, and the kind of informal socialising that builds genuine friendships. Our 25-acre site means there is always space to run around, relax outdoors, or take part in organised activities. Pupils describe evenings as feeling more like a home than a school, and that is exactly what we aim for.
Where do boarders go at weekends?
Weekends at Farringtons are something our boarders consistently highlight when they talk about their experience. Our location on the borders of Chislehurst and the Kent countryside means we have the best of both worlds. Trips to London are a regular feature, with pupils visiting museums, theatres, and landmarks that most young people their age do not get the chance to experience so freely. We have also taken groups to adventure activities such as GoApe, and the weekend social calendar is genuinely varied.
Weekend mornings have a relaxed feel. Pupils can sleep in, catch up on reading, or simply enjoy the community atmosphere of the boarding house. Afternoons are often structured around an activity or group outing, with evenings often spent together in the common room.
What is the pastoral support like for boarding pupils?
Every boarder at Farringtons has a houseparent and a dedicated boarding team around them. We take the pastoral side of boarding extremely seriously because we know that for families, handing over the care of their child is an act of significant trust. Our staff build genuine relationships with the pupils in their care. Homesickness, when it occurs, is handled with kindness and experience. Pupils who are new to boarding almost always find their feet more quickly than they expect.
We also stay in close contact with parents throughout. Regular communication, evening check-ins, and an open-door approach ensure families always feel connected to what is happening in the boarding house.
Is Farringtons a good fit for full boarders and flexi boarders alike?
Yes. We offer a range of boarding options because we understand that every family is different. Some pupils board full-time and make the boarding house their primary home during term. Others board on a flexible basis, perhaps two or three nights a week, which suits families with particular travel or work patterns. You can find out more about all our options on our boarding page. Our admissions team is always happy to discuss what might work best for your child and your family.
If you would like to find out more about boarding at Farringtons, we would love to welcome you for a visit. Details of upcoming open events are on our Visit Us page, or you can contact us directly to arrange a personal tour.
