Boarding FAQs

Please download the Boarding Handbook or see the questions below. 

  •   Why should I consider a boarding education at Godstowe?

    • Boarding life is becoming more and more attractive to children, indeed we often find that it is they who ask to board. Being together fosters great friendships and the children have the attention of dedicated adults in a warm community. For many families there are great practical benefits - less time on school runs or organising child care, more relaxed time together - and for the children it is great fun.

  •   Who makes a good Godstowe boarder?

    • All kinds of children enjoy boarding and benefit from it. There are some factors that particularly suggest that your daughter will do well as a boarder. These include:

      a supportive family background - where parents and child are all positive about the boarding life-style

      • experience of "sleep-overs" and enthusiasm for spending more time with friends
      • readiness to get involved and to make the most of a varied life-style and a wide choice of activities

      Above all it is very important that a child is mature enough to understand the reasons for boarding and wants to do it. We can of course help you find out if this is the case for your daughter.

  •   Does my daughter need pocket money?
    • A weekend activity sheet and  pocket money form will be sent home at the end of each term for parental approval and signature. Pocket money is then ordered for each activity.
  •   Is my daughter supervised during prep sessions?

    • The younger girls in Highlands are supervised in the house and the Year 6 girls are supervised in school.

      In Turner and Walker, prep sessions are carried out at school under supervision. If your daughter needs to do extra prep this is done in the boarding house.

  •   What are the arrangements for music practise?
    • Highlands girls do their music practice after breakfast. For Turner and Walker, the music school is open in the evenings and at weekends for boarders use. Supervised music practise is held on two evenings per week.

       

  •   My daughter is a full boarder. What arrangements are in place for weekend activities?
    • Many boarders take part in sports matches on a Saturday morning and all boarders have a supervised prep session at the weekend. Boarders are given the opportunity to suggest activities and discuss these with the boarding council. A wide range of fun activities are organised including ‘home grown’ entertainment, day trips and time to relax with friends.
  •   Can my daughter stay in at weekends if she is a weekly boarder?
    • All boarders can stay at weekends.
  •   Can my daughter come out at weekends if she is a full boarder?
    • Weekly and full boarding are one and the same thing at Godstowe. Weekly boarders are always more than welcome to stay in – some activities are too good to miss! Full boarders may occasionally wish to go home at the weekend. A weekend arrangement form is sent out at the end of term. We request any changes to be made by the Wednesday preceding the weekend for catering purposes.
  •   Am I able to obtain other parents' private contact details?
    • We are not able to give out this confidential information for parents.
  •   What if my daughter would like to invite a boarding friend home?
    • The friend concerned should be asked by you or your daughter to contact her parents/guardian directly to seek permission. If this is granted then confirmation must be sent to her housemisstress. A boarder may not leave Godstowe site without permission from their parent/guardian.
  •   What time do the girls go to bed?

    • Highlands girls go from 8.00pm to 8.30pm.

      In Turner and Walker, the senior boarding houses, Middle Thirds (Year 6) go to bed at 8.30 pm, Upper Thirds(Year 7) at 8.30 pm and Fourths (Year 8) at 9.00 pm. The girls have 30 minutes until lights out. During this time they are encouraged to read.

  •   Can my daughter bring in a mobile phone?
    • With internet safety in mind, Godstowe will supply your daughter with a phone for phoning and texting only. Your daughter should bring in her own sim card. Some girls choose not to have a phone.
  •   When can my daughter phone home?
    • In Highlands girls can call home in the evening and at weekends. The overseas girls can also call in the mornings.
  •   If I can’t collect my daughter at exeat/half term/end of term what are the options?
    • It is a requirement at Godstowe that each boarder has a Guardian. If the Guardian is unable to collect your daughter a company such as Welmet may be used.
  •   Do staff sit with girls at meal times?
    • Yes. At breakfast girls sit in their boarding houses with house staff. At supper time girls can choose who they sit with as this is a more relaxed informal meal. Boarding staff, Mr and Mrs Gainer, Sister and some teachers join us for supper.