At St Christopher School, we understand that a child's journey in education is not just about academic success but also about creating an environment where they feel truly at home.
Our Boarding House is designed to provide a friendly, nurturing, and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every student flourishes in their school life.
We recognise that children and young people thrive when they feel happy, well-settled, and valued within their school environment: when they feel like they “belong”.
Health and Wellbeing: Putting Your Child First
The health and wellbeing of our boarders are at the forefront of our priorities. Led by Houseparents Chris and Cecila Drayton, along with our dedicated team of resident staff, including Boarders’ Welfare Co-ordinator, we prioritise creating a home away from home for our students. An onsite School Nurse is available during the day, and we have strong connections with local medical and dental services to ensure comprehensive care.
Our team proactively addresses concerns such as homesickness, friendship problems, and other emotional challenges. We believe that fostering a positive mental health environment is crucial for the overall development of our students.
Individualised Care: Understanding Your Child's Needs
Our boarding team takes pride in getting to know each student individually – understanding their motivations, addressing worries, providing necessary support, and encouraging their ambitions. This personalised care is the foundation of the positive St Chris boarding experience.
Communication with Parents: Building Strong Partnerships
Communication with parents is key. Our Houseparents reach out to parents before their child starts at St Chris to establish effective communication channels and address any initial questions. This relationship grows throughout your child's time with us, with Houseparents ensuring open and proactive lines of communication.
All boarders undergo a comprehensive induction process to help them settle in smoothly during their first few weeks. Parents will receive detailed information about this process, ensuring everyone is well-informed and comfortable, before their child starts.
Student Voice and Responsibility: Fostering Independence
At St Chris, boarders play an active role in shaping their Boarding House community. Through various scheduled opportunities, students can provide feedback on activities, catering, pastoral care, and friendship matters. The election of the Head Boarder, who represents the voice of boarders on the student-led School Council, empowers students to take on leadership roles.
Safe and Supportive Environment: Independent Support
In addition to our dedicated boarding team, safeguarding, and academic support, we recognise that there may be times when students want to speak to someone outside of the school community. St Chris has a system whereby any boarder who wishes to talk to an independent adult can do so. This is a confidential system and the Independent Person is under no obligation to inform the school of any calls.
Our Independent Person is Carolyn Dorrington. Her telephone number and contact email is available in the Boarding House. This added layer of support ensures that your child has a safe space to discuss any concerns.
Contact us to find out more about St Christopher School, where our Boarding House is not just a place to stay but a community that fosters growth, independence, and a sense of belonging. Schedule a visit today to experience firsthand the warmth and care that defines our unique boarding environment.
Start your journey...
Enter your child's date of birth to discover the key steps to joining us:
[child-name] will be eligible for entry at any of the below points:
Nursery
Half Monte in [entry-year]
Top Monte in [entry-year]
Children can join the Nursery from the term they turn 3. As part of our School, the St Chris Nursery operates during term-time and we have a range of different sessions available for families:
In the Junior School, we welcome new students throughout the year from the ages of 5 to 11 years old. The main entry points in the Junior School are Reception, Year 3 and Year 5 and our admissions process can be found below:
Students can join the Senior School from Years 7 to Year 10 (ages 11 to 15). The main entry points are Year 7 and Year 9. View our admissions process below:
Students can join the Sixth Form in Year 12 (ages 16-17) and applications are encouraged by November in the year previous to enrolment to ensure subject availability:
