Boarding at Warwick
Boarding at Warwick offers pupils very high standards of pastoral care, a rich experience of community living in a stimulating environment which helps boarders to develop academically, physically and emotionally.
Our boarding community is based around a family unit of House Parents who are resident with their own children in their house.
Pupils are encouraged to develop a sensitivity to the needs of others and an understanding of difference and diversity which is invaluable in later life. All our boarders, wherever they are from, are encouraged to integrate with the school community.
They are an important part of every aspect of school life from the sports field to the concert hall, from the science laboratory to the Chapel, the boarders are always involved and playing a leading part in whatever is going on.

Each new Year 9 and Year 10 boarder is allocated a 'buddy', a day pupil from their year group, who they meets on their arrival at the school and who helps them to settle into life here at Warwick. Many boarders and buddies become close friends, and boarders will be invited to stay at their buddies’ house for Exeat weekends and we have had buddies invited to visit the boarders overseas.
This highly regarded and distinctive community has established itself at the forefront of the school’s academic achievements and many pupils enjoy positions of responsibility within the whole school, before going on to first-class university courses and employment. Alongside this our boarders play a key role in the community, supporting local charities and giving their time to support a diverse range of projects and community groups.
Weekly boarding at Warwick School
Weekly boarding is a popular option for many families as a way to balance homework, travel to and from school, co-curricular clubs, and working commitments.
Weekly boarding is a richly rewarding experience with a focus on school during the week and family at the weekend. Learning to live with people from different cultures and countries provides global opportunities and the chance to expand your network. Rather than spending time on the school bus or in the car to and from school, your child can be studying, taking part in a breadth of enriching activities, or just relaxing with friends.
The routines of the boarding houses and the designated times to study can be enormously beneficial in focusing pupil’s study efforts and helping them to reach their potential. They learn responsibility for themselves, their work, their belongings, and their relationships with others.
Weekly boarding is:
- An opportunity for pupils to immerse themselves into a new experience within a diverse community.
- Space for themselves during the week.
- Experience of independence and managing their own time.
Pupils will be provided with a single or twin study bedroom, and are able to enjoy a cooked supper and breakfast. Sky TV, snack preparation facilities, a Games Room with PS3, a Table Tennis and Pool Table are available in the evenings for all boarders. Bathroom facilities are shared but all showers have privacy booths. All bedrooms have Wi-Fi and pupils have 24 hour access to House Parents if unwell or if they require assistance at any time.
You are welcome to tour the boarding house and meet Mr Bull, Head of Boarding to learn more about the opportunities on offer.
If you would like to know more, please contact our Admissions Team at admissions@warwickschool.org.
Flexi-Boarding
Flexible boarding is popular in many UK boarding schools and provides busy families with the opportunity to book their children into boarding for occasional overnight stays.
Warwick School offers this facility, providing day pupils from Year 9 upwards with the opportunity to stay in the Boarding House if required. This might be particularly useful for those students who travel a considerable distance and can give them more time for study or co-curricular activities.
Flexi-boarding is also a helpful solution for those pupils whose parents need to travel extensively for work and are away frequently.
Our boarding staff provide excellent pastoral care, supervised prep sessions and support throughout the evening and boarders enjoy access to school facilities including the Sports Centre and instrumental practice rooms at all times.
“My son was flexi-boarding when I was abroad. While Sam had a really enjoyable time with the boarders we had peace of mind knowing that Sam was in good care of the boarding house parents and teachers. We will definitely recommend this really valuable service."
Other Benefits
Excellent preparation for independent life at university
Pupils enjoy a degree of structured freedom and the opportunity to become more self-sufficient – especially useful in the senior years.
Supervised homework and access to teachers
Pupils complete their homework in a safe and effective working environment free from distraction with some subject specific staff on hand to assist if required. Experience has shown that some flexi/occasional boarders may find it easier to work in school than at home
Access to Sports Centre and balanced social opportunities
Boarders have nightly free time which is used for sports and other social/ recreational purposes. This has the potential to maximise their time in school, avoiding ‘dead-time’ and improving well-being and achieving a healthy lifestyle balance.
Flexi-Boarding fee (subject to change from year to year, please get in touch with our Admissions Team to confirm the latest figure): £50 per night
All places are subject to availability. Parents need to book directly with Mr Bull in the boarding house and fees will be added to your termly bill.
If you would like to find out more about flexi-boarding or to check availability please email Mr Bull, our Head of Boarding
Settling into life at Warwick School
New boarders enjoy a full and extensive induction period which begins well before they actually arrive at the school itself. Each new boarding family receives lots of information about the boarding house, school and life here in general and we organise a presentation by our senior pupils in the summer holiday to which all new pupils are invited. This is an opportunity for those joining the school to ask current boarders any questions they may have.
Upon arrival at Warwick in September the induction period lasts for several days and will include tours of the school from boarding buddies, team building exercises with the new and returning boarders working together, tours of the surrounding area including Warwick town and nearby Leamington Spa.
Considerable support is given to them as they adjust to studying, many of whom are living and learning in a new foreign country, and every effort is made to help them settle very quickly into life away from home. Boarders form friendships that last a lifetime and develop the values, skills and good habits that prepare them for adulthood. By following guided routines for homework, meals and bedtimes the pupils learn to organise their time and thrive in this busy school where so many events and activities go on into the evenings and weekends.
Our specialist tutor team spends quality time with the pupils throughout the week providing friendly support, academic advice and a listening ear for those times when things aren’t perhaps going so well. Our matrons and housekeeping staff play a crucial role in providing a genuinely warm, comfortable and welcoming environment for the boarders.
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) has introduced a BSA Covid-Safe Charter to help guide schools and inform boarders and parents in their preparations for reopening schools.
Schools which have adopted the charter confirm that they will comply with all government rules and guidance and will meet certain requirements when their boarding houses reopen.
Warwick School has adopted the BSA Covid-Safe Charter, please access documents below.
Our events reflect both the cultural background of our overseas boarders alongside many British traditions. These include the Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival), Bonfire Night, Christmas and Chinese New Year. The Houses work together to put on regular events showcasing the many and varied talents of the boarders.
Alongside regular trips locally we organise a wide-ranging programme of excursions further afield, many of which are suggested by our Boarders’ Council. Previous trips have included Brighton, four days in Paris and a day trip to Alton Towers. Other activities are arranged at weekends and include Go- Karting, Paint Balling, Laser Quest and shopping trips to Birmingham and Bicester Designer Outlet Village.
Boarders also have full use of the schools’ fantastic facilities including the swimming pool and indoor sports hall. The boarders’ football and basketball teams play regular matches against teams from other boarding schools and are always well-supported by day pupils.
Boarding Leadership Team
MR D C BULL | Head of Boarding |
MRS K BULL | Assistant Head of Boarding |
School House
MR D C BULL & MRS K BULL | House Parents |
MISS V CARVELL | Assistant House Parent |
MRS T COLLER | Matron |
Way House
MR T BROADLEY & MISS C LOWE | House Parents |
DR A HODSKINSON | Assistant House Parent |
MISS L MYERS | Matron |
Boarding Tutors
MR B L DAVIES | MR S R G FRANCIS |
MR G WADE | MR Z SHIRLEY |
MR O R O’BRIEN | MR R N A MARTLEW |
MR D A STEPHENSON | MRS A WILSON |
MR B SMITH | MR J WILLIAMSON |
MR C McGUIRE |