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Weekly Boarding

Weekly-Boarding At Ellesmere College

Many boarding schools today offer a number of boarding options, but one option in particular is becoming increasingly popular with a large number of parents – weekly boarding - a helpful and viable alternative to, and a bridge between, the world of a day pupil and that of a full-boarder.

Ellesmere College is closer than you think, but if distance away from the school is a determining factor in the choice of a school, the option to weekly board offers parents a broader choice for their child as they can board during the week, and return home at the weekends, or part way through the week as desired.

See table below for distance in miles/time and the nearest Ellesmere College Bus Stop. 

We are always flexible based on the needs of each child – be it weekly for geographical reasons, or ad-hoc here and there for academic or co-curricular commitments after school. If a child weekly boards and usually goes home at the weekend but would like to stay for a fixture or a concert at the weekend, we can accommodate most requests!

This provides parents with a 'helping-hand', giving them their own flexibility not only in being able to successfully manage their work or personal commitments without the stress of baby-sitters or cost of nannies, but also to control the growth of independence of their child. The child can then maintain a level of consistency, security and familiarity with their academic and co-curricular schedule during the week. It is also a way to break into the field of full boarding perhaps during the Sixth Form years and can be easily aligned with College events and fixtures. 

Why Board At Ellesmere?

With many areas of the Boarding life at Ellesmere College being described as 'outstanding' by Ofsted, it is no wonder many pupils choose to both weekly and full-board here. Ellesmere is progressive in its thinking and offers boarding based on age group from Yr. 8. This allows boarders to grow and learn within larger friendship groups, share more experiences together and form life-long relationships.

For more information on each of our Boarding Houses please click here: Boarding Houses

Set in 150 acres of rural Shropshire countryside near the small town of Ellesmere, the College has a range of Boarding Houses each providing an opportunity for boarders to take on roles of responsibility and learn to become more independent, whilst developing the skills to work together as a team. Through this our pupils develop greater self esteem, which gives them more confidence; this is crucial as they are better prepared and ready for the next phases of their lives.

And last but not least … our boarders have fun! We are extremely proud of the range of exciting and meaningful activities we offer to our weekly and full-boarders - there is always something going on, from sport and drama, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh, a round of golf, games in the sports hall or working out in the gym or heated pool, evening debating groups, even taking part in twilight catch up lessons - not to mention the weekend shopping excursions and activity weekends!!

The Benefits of Weekly-Boarding

As described, there are many benefits of weekly-boarding for parents, but what does it offer the student?

Weekly boarding is a great introduction - a taster! - of what boarding is really like and gives children a chance to experience what life is like as a boarder as they move through the school. It also works really well to ready a child for the move from senior school to college or university where they often live away from home in halls of residence teaching them valuable lessons in independence and resilience in a safe, familiar and monitored environment. Quite often, it is the child who then initiates the next step in asking if they can weekly board as they grow older, more confident and need to spend more time with academic studies (sixth form for example), or if they are involved in after school co-curricular activities.

Ultimately, weekly boarding is an option in many boarding schools which is going from strength to strength and which many parents, students and staff have seen the benefits for all.

For more information on the types of boarding that are available for your child at Ellesmere College, please call: 01691 626510 or via our Contact Us page. 

How Close Is Ellesmere College To Me? 

• No bus journey is more than 1 hour in duration from pick up to drop off.
• Times and distances are approximate and do not take into consideration traffic conditions.
• Nearest train stations: Gobowen, Whitchurch, Chester, Shrewsbury. 

Click here for more information on:

• Ellesmere College Bus Routes
• Sixth Form Prospectus
• Academic Success 2020
• Sixth Form at Ellesmere College