Brockhurst Boarding
Boarding at Brockhurst
Boarding is at the heart of the Brockhurst experience. Our wide range of boarding options means that national and international full boarders are constantly surrounded by local pupils who enjoy our popular flexi-boarding provision. This creates a close-knit boarding community where every child feels a genuine sense of belonging.
As a leading Prep Boarding School near Newbury, we believe boarding should provide children with far more than accommodation. It should offer friendship, independence, confidence and opportunities that help them thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
The benefits of boarding at prep school are well recognised. Children develop organisational skills, personal responsibility and self-confidence while building friendships that often last a lifetime. Boarding also allows pupils to make the most of the school's academic, sporting and co-curricular opportunities, without the demands of a daily commute.
Our extensive grounds and outstanding facilities mean that every child has the opportunity to discover new interests, develop existing talents and enjoy a rich and varied school experience.
We want every boy to feel as much at home as possible. Boarders are encouraged to personalise their space with photographs, favourite possessions and reminders of home. Evenings are spent relaxing with friends, taking part in organised activities, enjoying games and making the most of life within the boarding house.
Our Houseparents provide an important link between school and home and communicate regularly with families. Particularly attentive to the needs of younger and first-time boarders, they ensure that every child feels supported throughout their boarding journey. While mobile phone use is carefully managed, pupils are always able to contact home whenever they wish.
Full boarding
As a well-established Full Boarding School, we place great importance on the welfare and happiness of every boarder.
Weekends are busy, engaging and full of opportunity. Houseparents and boarding staff are available at all times to support pupils and ensure they enjoy a rewarding and memorable experience. Boarders have access to dedicated common rooms as well as the school's extensive facilities and grounds.
For many families, full boarding provides valuable continuity, structure and independence while allowing children to take full advantage of everything the school has to offer.
Flexi-boarding
Our flourishing flexi-boarding provision allows pupils to board for one or more nights each week, including weekends where appropriate.
As a popular Flexi Boarding School, we offer families genuine flexibility while ensuring children enjoy all the benefits of being part of a boarding community. Whether boarding occasionally or regularly, pupils develop independence, confidence and strong friendships while taking advantage of the many activities available during the evenings.
Flexi-boarding is particularly valued by busy families looking for greater flexibility throughout the school week.
By living together, boys learn to share and to have consideration for others and, with encouragement, they learn to stand on their own feet and, increasingly, to shoulder responsibility.
Boarding For Military Families
Brockhurst & Marlston House has enjoyed a close connection with the military community since 1884, and that understanding remains just as strong today.
As a respected Boarding School For Military Families, we understand the unique challenges military life can bring. Frequent relocations, overseas postings and changing circumstances can make continuity of education difficult. Our aim is to provide stability, consistency and exceptional pastoral care for every child.
Our staff understand military family life and know how best to support children whose parents may be serving at home or overseas. Pupils benefit from a busy and engaging school environment, strong friendships and a wide range of academic and co-curricular opportunities throughout the week and at weekends.
Military families also benefit from flexible arrangements, including midweek visits, weekend leave and support with travel arrangements at the beginning and end of term wherever possible.
In recognition of the school's long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces, we are proud to offer a discount to boarding families from the military community.
'Pupils feel safe, supported and happy in both the school and boarding communities.'
Independent Schools InspectorateWhy Families Choose Brockhurst Boarding
Families looking for a Boarding School, Prep Boarding School or Boys Prep Boarding School often tell us they are seeking a school where their child will feel supported, encouraged and genuinely happy.
At Brockhurst, boarding combines the benefits of a traditional Boarding School For Boys with the opportunities of a modern independent education. Children enjoy outstanding facilities, extensive grounds, exciting activities and a caring boarding environment where they are encouraged to grow in confidence and independence.
As one of the most established Boarding Prep Schools in Berkshire, we are proud of the supportive community we have created for boarders and their families.
Independent Schools Inspectorate
'Pupils feel safe, supported and happy in both the school and boarding communities.'
Independent Schools Inspectorate
This is what one of our families had to say:
Our daughter was only eight years old when she was about to start her third school, and with another posting on the horizon, it was only a matter of time before that became the fourth, fifth and sixth. It was clearly taking a toll on all of us and we decided, with some trepidation, that boarding would provide us the continuity and stability of education we sought.
The early days of our school search will be familiar with many military parents. We were driven mostly by location as we knew we wanted a school in the South of England; somewhere close enough to family support, but also, assuming we would be posted along the M4 corridor at some stage, close enough for exeat weekends and half term. Thereafter our priorities included a school with excellent boarding facilities, especially if we were to be posted overseas, as well as the ‘right’ values, opportunities to try new things, a nice setting and school leadership that understood the military community. We also had to be convinced that our daughter would be happy amongst the other kids, and of course, fees and finance were key.
We visited five schools before stumbling across Brockhurst and Marlston. There was nothing obvious that ruled out those five, we just didn’t get ‘the feeling’. Yet when we first visited Brockhurst and Marlston we drove away asking ourselves why we wouldn’t choose it. We knew immediately it was the school for us. It was conveniently located only five minutes from the M4 Junction 13 (Newbury / Hermitage), the boarding house was warm and homely, the facilities were incredibly modern, yet the school values were traditionally charming. Despite being so close to the M4, the setting is rural countryside, with plenty of green space and woods for children to play in.
Children are initially taught in single sex classes, with boys in Brockhurst and girls in Marlston House. But as they get older they are increasingly taught in mixed classes. This single sex education, but in a co-education school and setting is unusual, but exactly what we were looking for – the best of both worlds! The school leadership also impressed; they instinctively understood the military community and were passionate and professional about the school family. And the financial support to military families was equally attractive.
A taster day and boarding experience followed, both of which were pitched perfectly for a new pupil, and shortly afterwards, she started full time. She has loved every minute of her journey at Brockhurst and Marlston. Two years in and she feels completely at home. We have watched her grow in confidence and maturity, learn to play the flute, gain new skills and try some amazing things. Her boarding experience has been equally exciting. There are plenty of military boarders, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. There is never a dull moment in the boarding house and weekends are spent on trips to London and Harry Potter World, or cinema, trampolining and go-karting.
We are delighted with Brockhurst and Marlston and it has been such a relief to find it. It has taken a huge weight off our shoulders, she is happy and thriving, and it’s given us the continuity and stability we were looking for. We couldn’t be happier.
Colonel Colin Munce
