A good boarding school is a place to work hard, rest and, most importantly, play, in a space that values both freedom and responsibility, Henry Price, Headmaster of Oakham School and BSA Chair 2026 reports.
A good boarding school is a warm, wonderful village – a community built not just to educate but to raise young people in partnership with their parents. It carefully weaves together rules, routines and rhythms that allow pupils to feel safe, supported and at home, while providing the structure they need to grow and thrive.
Boarding schools foster lifelong bonds – between pupils who live and learn together, and with staff who challenge, support and guide them, sometimes with exasperation, always with care. The shared experiences, from the everyday to the extraordinary, forge friendships and memories that last well beyond school years.
THE EXTRA MILE
While house systems differ from school to school, it’s the people within them who shape the experience. Housemasters and Housemistresses, resident staff, tutors, matrons, cleaners and others all contribute to the ethos and success of a boarding house. Training is important, but a genuine desire to care and go the extra mile for young people are essential. Great boarding staff understand the subtle balance between professional boundaries and personal warmth – the mix of structure and informality that makes school life feel both safe and joyful.
Facilities play their part, but there is no single blueprint. Single rooms and en suite showers have their place, but so too does sharing in well-thought-out and well-maintained spaces. These must be age-appropriate and in line with National Minimum Standards, linking to the communal spaces where pupils and staff gather formally and informally, for roll calls and House meetings, but also to sit, chat, laugh, cook and connect.
ALWAYS CARING
The Latin phrase in loco parentis – in place of a parent – still holds true. At Oakham, the HM often takes on this role: advising encouraging, cajoling, sometimes reprimanding, but always supporting and always caring. There may be a medical issue, such as appendicitis, where the school must act in loco parentis, but most of the time, boarding staff work cum parentibus – with parents – recognising that even when families aren’t physically present, they are deeply involved in their children’s lives.
Regular communication is vital, sharing academic and pastoral updates, celebrating successes, and working through challenges together. Whether parents are nearby or overseas, the connection is maintained through emails, phone calls, social media and newsletters – keeping them involved in the big and the small. Good schools strike the right balance with technology. They manage mobile phone use thoughtfully, encouraging connection with home, while prioritising healthy interaction, rest and sleep. One of boarding’s strengths is the extended day and week. More time means more opportunity, but it must be used wisely. The academic, pastoral and co-curricular pillars of school life need to be integrated with space for downtime. Evening talks, plays, concerts and house events all enrich the experience, but pupils – and staff – also need time to unwind and recharge. Timetables matter, and grest boarding schools shape them with care.
VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE
Whilst fewer schools maintain Saturday School, a great boarding school, like Oakham, sees the weekend as intrinsic to the rhythm of all pupils, both day and boarding. Ful lessons in the morning mean the whole school is on site, with a full programme of afternoon sport and activity, making the weekend a vibrant and inclusive part of the week. These days offer opportunities not just for competition and camaraderie, but for engaging with parents through sports events or discussions on academic choices, and important pastoral topics relevant to pupils’ wellbeing. Saturday evenings and Sundays are equally well-planned, with trips, social events, but also time to unwind, enjoy lie-ins and a slower pace before the new week begins.
STRONG VALUES
The best boarding schools build communities that are inclusive, diverse, and rooted in strong values. A mix of nationality, culture and faith coming together is a powerful learning experience. But equally powerful is learning to adjust to different characters and interests. They cultivate and celebrate relationships, helping children learn to live in a group beyond their own family. When I was a Housemaster, I used to tell pupils: “You do not have to be best friends, but you do need to get along and to see each other’s strengths and weaknesses.” In truth, the firmest and longest of friendships are often found in boarding.
The old Mars Bar slogan Work, rest and play still encapsulates a good boarding school. A place to work hard – yes academically, but also at music, sport, drama and relationships. A place to rest, where being on site allows for better sleep and a real sense of home. And, most importantly, a place to play: to have fun, try new things, and grow up in a space that values both freedom and responsibility.
By Henry Price, Headmaster of Oakham School and BSA Chair 2026