Pastoral & Boarding
Boarding Life
At Packwood boarding is a popular option offering children a home from home, and providing flexibility for parents. Boarders enjoy a happy, friendly, supportive environment in which they thrive.
They benefit from first-class pastoral care, support and stability provided by a dedicated team of houseparents, boarding tutors, matrons and graduate assistants. Boarding is an important part of Packwood. Most pupils board at some point during their time here, whether this is as a full boarder, a couple of nights a week or as a one off.
The quality of provision at Packwood is highly praised in the Independent Schools Inspectorate report (October 2015). As well as reporting on the excellent standard of care boarders receive, the inspectors also noted that ‘boarders develop key qualities such as tolerance, confidence and independence’ and praised the ‘family atmosphere and sense of community both in the boarding houses and throughout the school.’
Daily Routine
7.10 am Boarders are woken in the morning by the houseparents and matrons. They get themselves washed, dressed and ready to start the school day.
7.45 am Breakfast is served in the main school dining room with plenty of options to choose from.
8.15 am The school day begins with form time and assembly followed by lessons, sport, prep and activities.
5.45 pm- 6.30 pm Supper is served.
6.15 pm Junior boarders take part in activities whilst for the older boarders there is study time or clubs, supervised by staff.
7.15 pm At the end of the day, boarders return to their boarding houses to enjoy some free time.
Evening Routine
Once upstairs, the boarders will shower and then have time to relax and chat with friends, phone home, play games, and read until lights out.
Lights out times are staggered according to age from 8.15 pm for the youngest boarders until 9.30 pm for the Year 8s.
Weekends
Saturdays – We have Saturday morning school followed by sport in the afternoon. Afterwards the boarders enjoy free time where they can make the most of the school grounds and facilities. On Saturday night the boarders enjoy film night with hot chocolate, noodles and snacks.
Sundays – On Sunday mornings boarders enjoy a lie in followed by a full English breakfast. Once every half term we have a ‘Sloppy Sunday’ (breakfast in pyjamas). Once a month we go to the local village Church where the choir performs. Sunday activities are often the highlight of the week and these may include on-site activities such as camp fire building in school, cooking, pottery making or off-site activities such as Chester zoo, the cinema or go-karting.
Settling in
Every effort is made by all members of the school community, from the Head to teachers, houseparents and matrons, support staff and children, to help all our new pupils settle in happily to life at school.
On the first day all new pupils will be met by a current pupil, who is already a boarder and is in the same form, they are called their shadow. A shadow will stay with the new pupil for the first week or so and make sure they get to the right places at the right times with the right equipment. They will introduce them to their friends and generally make them feel welcome. They are great at helping new children to settle into the Packwood community and they often become best friends.
Staying in Touch
We are very keen that boarders maintain good contact with their families when they are at school. Children can use the boarding house phones as well as having access to email. Children with parents living abroad can call in the evening or in the matrons’ common room during the day if their families are in a different time zone.
Parents are encouraged to keep in contact with houseparents with any questions or concerns, email is always the best first approach.
There is a private twitter feed for each boarding house and weekly school newsletters are sent out to the whole school community.
With the freedom the children have to roam, the amazing facilities and core of brilliant staff, I genuinely believe that we couldn’t have found a better prep school.
