Weekends

Saturday mornings typically begin with a slightly later wake-up at 8:00am, followed by breakfast at 8.30am. From 9.30am onwards, pupils can participate in activities including:

• Sports fixtures
  Representing the school in rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, or other sports
• Sports training
  Coaching sessions in football, swimming, athletics, or other sports
• Arts and crafts
  Pottery, painting, sculpture, textile arts, and creative projects
• Music
  Ensemble rehearsals, choir practice, or individual instrumental practice
• Drama
  Rehearsals for productions or drama games and workshops
• Outdoor activities
  Mountain biking, orienteering, forest school, or nature exploration
• Academic enrichment
  Science experiments, coding clubs, creative writing workshops

Sundays often feature trips away from school. Recent outings have included

• Cinema trips to see age appropriate films
• Bowling and ice skating
• Visits to museums and historic sites
• Beach trips to Brighton or Bognor Regis
• Shopping trips to local towns
• Laser tag and adventure parks
• Outdoor activity centres for climbing, zip-lining or high ropes
• Seasonal activities (Christmas markets, summer fairs, sport matches)

Outings are supervised by staff at appropriate ratios. Pupils gain independence while remaining safe and supervised. The school minibuses transport groups to destinations with all drivers properly licensed and insured.

Saturday evenings provide relaxation after busy days. Activities might include

• Film nights with popcorn in the boarding houses
• Organised games evenings (board games, card games, quiz nights)
• Talent shows and performances
• Cooking activities (pizza making, baking competitions)
• Disco and dance sessions
• Campfires (weather permitting) with songs and stories

Sunday mornings are deliberately more relaxed. Pupils wake at 8.30am for a leisurely breakfast at 9.00am. Children will have an opportunity to phone home from their own phones before they depart for the day external activity.

Saturday and Sunday evenings provide opportunities for both organised activities and free time. Pupils might

• Participate in house activities or inter-house competitions
• Use sports facilities for casual games with friends
• Enjoy arts and crafts sessions
• Read, relax, or play games in boarding houses
• Complete any remaining prep from the week
• Take walks around the grounds
• Pursue personal hobbies and interests

Sunday evenings help pupils transition back to the school week. After supper at 6.00pm, pupils will have time to complete any weekend homework, organise belongings for the week ahead and ensure they are prepared for Monday lessons. Bedtimes revert to weekday schedules to establish good sleep patterns.

No, pupils choose which activities to join based on their interests. We provide a varied programme so every pupil finds something appealing, but also recognise that children need downtime. Pupils can opt for quiet weekends in boarding houses if they prefer though we encourage participation in at least some activities.

Usually around 50 pupils stay each weekend, though numbers vary depending on time of term and whether families have plans. There is always a vibrant boarding community at weekends with plenty of friends and activities. Staff to pupil ratios increase at weekends to ensure excellent supervision.

The school closes during half term breaks and all pupils go home. These week long breaks (two weeks in the autumn term) occur once per term and provide important family time. For international pupils who cannot return home for half term, we can help arrange guardian care or short term host families.