Boarding Life

Life in a boarding house shares many similarities with life at home. Just like in families, there are expectations and agreements that, while not always popular, exist to help our girls flourish and thrive. The difference in boarding is simply the number of girls we are caring for, and with that comes the need for structure, consistency, and support across all areas of their lives.

At the heart of boarding is routine. Routines provide stability, predictability, and balance, helping girls manage the demands of study, friendships, and personal wellbeing. Sleep hygiene, for example, is supported through staggered technology hand-up times and lights-out schedules that adjust as the girls grow older, just as they would at home. These rhythms encourage good habits and ensure our students are well-rested and ready to meet the challenges of each day.

Academic support is another cornerstone of boarding life. Girls make use of dedicated study times in the York Library twice a week, as well as in-house sessions twice weekly. Our boarding staff, while not employed as tutors, bring with them a wide range of expertise, from Sciences and Mathematics to Business, English, and Psychology. It is always a pleasure to sit down alongside the girls, working through the tougher questions and celebrating the “lightbulb moments” together.

Beyond academics, boarding nurtures independence and responsibility. Girls learn to manage their time, their commitments, and their belongings, skills that prepare them well for life beyond school. The community setting also fosters accountability and support: living alongside peers fosters a culture of encouragement, resilience, and care.

Ultimately, routines in boarding are not about rules for their own sake. They are carefully designed to create balance, between work and rest, between independence and support, between personal wellbeing and community life. In this way, boarding provides a framework that enables each girl to thrive academically, socially, and personally, preparing her for future challenges with confidence.

Jane Grech

Senior Director of Boarding and Strategic Projects