The majority of our boarders are weekly boarders. Boys arrive on Sunday evenings between 7 and 8pm, and are collected on Friday evenings by 5.30pm. Some boys choose not to stay on Sunday nights and come to us after school on Mondays. Boys can weekly board for an academic year or term at a time.

 

 

Weekly boarding at prep school is a great way to prepare for full boarding at senior school. House staff that we have met at Boarding Schools Association conferences recognise those pupils who have boarded at prep school as quicker to settle, more confident and more organised in their senior houses than those who are new to boarding. Brightlands is smaller than many senior school boarding houses, and has a relaxed, family atmosphere. We are able to offer more support and guidance to our boarders than many large boarding houses, and see ourselves as a “halfway house” between home and senior school. Many Prep boys board in Year 8 to prepare themselves to go away to senior school.

 

Equally, we have many boarders who intend to go to day school when they leave DCPS. For them, Brightlands offers a unique opportunity to experience boarding community life. They can develop their organisational skills and become more self-reliant whilst enjoying the facilities on offer.

 

Weekly boarding at Brightlands is an enjoyable alternative to long car and bus journeys to school. Boys can attend clubs before and after school and still arrive home in time to have music practice and prep completed by 6.30. Many parents have demanding jobs and complicated childcare arrangements; at Brightlands, everything is taken care of and parents can enjoy quality weekend time with their boys knowing that prep, music practice and revision have been completed during the week.

 

We offer a structured revision programme for our Year 8 pupils and for younger pupils in the run up to school examinations. Boys benefit from small group tutorials laid on by school teaching staff and supervised private study. We discuss effective ways to revise and are always willing to help the boys with homework or revision. Working alongside your peers is an effective motivator and we do not have trouble persuading boys to put in the extra work. We emphasise the importance of winding down before bedtime and arrange revision sessions so that boys can still join in evening activities.

 

Most of all, weekly boarding is fun! Boys make use of the school swimming pool and sports hall, play table tennis and pool in the games room, or run around in the garden or in Brightlands fields. We have special meals and evenings to celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving, and go on outings. The company of other boys is the best aspect of Brightlands for most of our boarders.

 

 

The best way to decide if weekly boarding is right for your son is to come and visit us. We are very happy to show boys and parents around Brightlands, and can arrange a trial week to help with the decision process. We also hold “taster” weeks for boys in Year 5, 6 or 7 in the Summer Term.