The rhythm and routine of boarding life means that boys make the most of every single day in a 24-hour cycle of rest, enrichment, good food, physical activity and intellectual challenge.

At Caldicott we cherish childhood. The boys’ downtime is spent playing with friends in our glorious 40 acres of grounds, or taking advantage of the wonderful facilities on offer.

A typical day will start with a cooked breakfast: fuel for a busy day of lessons, sport and extra-curricular opportunities. After school comes low tea, prep and supper, and then after supper there are a huge amount of activities for boys to throw themselves into, which might be creative, cerebral or sporty. At the end of the day, boys will unwind with a hot drink in the snug and get ready to relax with a good book before lights out.

We seek to offer a very gentle and nurturing introduction to boarding. Our team of matrons, nurses and houseparents foster exactly the right balance between teaching independence, resilience, and offering home-from-home kindness and comfort.

Nonetheless, we recognise that boarding isn’t right for everyone, and with this in mind, we’re excited to be introducing ‘Day Plus‘ from September 2024. Click here to read our announcement brochure and see below for more information about our different day and boarding options

Types of Boarding

Flexi Boarding (1st-4th Form/Years 3-6)

While most boys are day boys in 1st to 4th Form (Years 3-6), full and weekly boarding is available from 3rd Form. Day boys in all year groups have the opportunity to flexi or occasional board, if their families wish. We define flexi boarding as either one, two or three nights per week for at least half a term and occasional boarding as an ad hoc stay (space-permitting) up to a full week once a term.

Weekly & Full Boarding (5th-6th Form/Years 7-8)

The majority of our boys board in 5th and 6th Form (Years 7-8), and most do on a weekly basis (Monday-Saturday) or as full boarders (spending all weekend in school too).

Day Plus (5th-6th Form/Years 7-8)

Day Plus offers more flexibility to families with boys in the 5th and 6th Form (Years 7-8), who feel their son may not be quite ready to weekly or full board yet.

A Day Plus place includes two nights of boarding (that are not compulsory) with an option to easily ‘top up’ with more nights. A half term’s notice needs to be given if you want your son to change from a Day Plus place to a weekly or full boarding place, or vice versa.

Tom Gloster

Head of Boarding

Mr Gloster has been involved in boarding since the age of 10 when he started boarding at his prep school. He has been teaching for the past 15 years and thinks boarding is an integral part to any boys’ life at prep school. He believes that an environment where boys can be open with each other and talk through their concerns helps create a welcoming and relaxed place to thrive and build confidence. In his spare time, he’s sure to be found outside throwing a ball around with his son and daughter or walking one of the family’s two pups, Bluebell and Snowdrop.

Our Principles of Boarding, which apply equally to our day pupils, aim to:

Keep pupils safe

Safeguard and promote the welfare of each pupil, providing an environment that is, as far as possible, free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort and is adapted to ensure that risks are mitigated or minimised.

Develop the whole person

Develop the whole person, and instil a desire for truth and a respect for others in a caring and happy atmosphere.

Create a trusting ethos

Produce an open and trusting ethos in which each boy can feel that he is able to approach any other member of the community, whether they be staff or pupil, confident in the knowledge that he will be treated and respected as an individual.

Promote tolerance

Create an atmosphere of tolerance, openness, and trust in which there is no place for inappropriate banter and teasing, and harassment and bullying are not allowed to develop.

Stimulate intellectual growth

Provide the conditions for pupils to develop their intellectual needs through participation in activities and in an atmosphere that values effort.

Enrich

Provide a range of activities, hobbies and pastimes, that will assist in the personal, social and cultural development of each pupil.

Offer comfort and security

Provide accommodation that is comfortable and suited to the needs of the pupils, and that offers adequate levels of privacy.

Encourage a responsible attitude

Develop boys’ responsibility for self, others and the environment.

Develop leadership and teamwork

Develop boys’ qualities of leadership and their ability to work as part of a team.

Imbue with confidence and resilience

Develop confidence and resilience in every boy.

The House System
Pastoral Care
Activities Programme & After-School Care