Flexi boarding involves staying at Brightlands for the same nights each week. We encourage boys to stay for at least two nights as this way they benefit from the whole boarding experience; waking up in Brightlands, spending the day at school and returning to the house in the evening. We expect our flexi boarders to commit to at least half a term’s boarding, although we are happy for boys to have a “trial” evening before making up their minds.

 

Flexi boarding is an ideal introduction to boarding, especially for younger pupils. It allows them to enjoy spending part of the week at Brightlands and the rest at home. Boys benefit from learning a routine which is the same every week and experience being part of community life. Some boys with a lengthy bus or car journey to school board for two or three nights mid-week to give them a break from long commutes. Others choose to board on nights when they have after school clubs or when parents have evening work commitments. For Year 8 boys, flexi boarding can help to establish a study routine as we have a structured revision programme at Brightlands. Many of our flexi boarders go on to become weekly boarders in due course!

 

Boys can choose their own nights to flexi board as long as we have space available. They will sleep in the same dormitory every week, and have space to store their belongings. They are encouraged to leave some casual clothes, pyjamas and toiletries at Brightlands so that they don’t have to remember to bring them each week. Boys can put their clothes in the laundry basket on their last day each week and they will be returned to them clean. Boys can also bring in posters and their own bedding to personalise their dormitory.

Flexi boarders are collected from school by the minibus in the same way as our weekly boarders. We will remind them to bring their belongings to school on the last morning that they stay with us each week!