Boarding is what gives our children that extra special experience from their prep school education. The fun factor and sharing of good times with ones friends make boarding extremely popular and we make sure everybody feels totally at home. Teddies galore are brought to school, not to mention a vast number of shoes by the girls! We urge every child to make their dormitory a warm, vibrant and personalised area where they can feel at home.

Ashdown has five houses within the school called ‘landings’. These landings are looked after by five different sets of Houseparents. Assistant Housemasters and Gap students assist with the daily wake up, evening activities, laundry, tidiness and going to bed. They are on call throughout the night and children are encouraged to knock on their door at anytime no matter how trivial their need might be!

The Year Groups have staggered bedtimes and every evening, a specific activity will be laid on for the children. This can range from Top Trumps, Arts and Craft, Quiz Night, Sewing, Film Night, Reading, Charades, Rounders, Swimming and so on….. Hot chocolate and marshmallows are also had on the occasional evening especially at the weekend.

Pastoral care upstairs is essential to every child’s happiness and success at Ashdown. We make certain that every child is listened to, occupied and cared for at the highest level. Parents are free to ring in anytime and there is email and telephone access on each landing. The Houseparents regularly contact parents with updates on how your child is progressing, especially in the early days of boarding when the experience is new.

Medical matters are dealt with by our resident nurse. Our Sister oversees any medical requirements and if necessary refers the child to our local GP who visits the school twice a week from the local surgery in Forest Row. There is also the local hospital in East Grinstead which deals with minor injuries.

At the weekend, every child has the opportunity to relax. After matches on a Saturday, the 1s are allowed to dress down into home clothes and quite often activities will be laid on. This can range from a disco night, Call my Bluff, Debating, Mini Olympics or other activities. There are always staff on hand to ensure everyone is kept busy around the grounds. Tournaments are regularly held in table-tennis, table-football, pool and chess. On a Sunday after Chapel and letter writing, the children have free time until lunch which is traditionally a roast meal. Children are allowed four Sundays out during the term from after Chapel until 6.30pm. In the afternoon, there are numerous activities organised for the remainder of the school.   Visits to local National trust properties, rock climbing, the Battle of Hastings renenactment, Llama park, Ashdown Forest for 40:40 and dam building, Hiking, Cycling, Castle Visit, Horse Shows and so the list goes on. Back at base, there is always plenty to do, not to mention Coffee Shop at 3.30pm for the occasional treat.