Choosing to board
But why board? This question is best answered by the children themselves. Both from recent surveys and from our own experience of talking with boarders, we would suggest that they have many reasons for valuing their boarding experience. They value the special friendships that are developed at Chapter House, and tend to remain close friends with fellow boarders into adulthood and, in many cases, for life. They also learn to appreciate the qualities and values of community life and the lessons learnt about relationships in an extended family such as that at Chapter House. They develop self-reliance and confidence.

Many students choose to board because they know that all their interests and activities are available in the school, and they do not need to travel in congested urban environments to develop their extracurricular interests. Many parents consider boarding when, after doing their sums, they realise what value for money it represents, especially when one or more parents are pursuing professional careers.

The special features of boarding
Accessibility
Some of our boarders live within an hour's drive of School. However due to our excellent facilities we attract ever increasing numbers of boarders from throughout the UK and the international community. Individual telephones in every bedroom allow all our boarders to easily receive international and national calls from their parents and friends. These bedroom telephones can also make outgoing national calls. There are separate special telephones in each boarding house to allow overseas students to make international calls. The internet has revolutionised communication between boarders and their families. Our Internet Café allows everyone to utilise email to its fullest extent at no extra charge.

Pastoral care
A key investment is in our boarding staff. Our housemasters, housemistresses, house tutors and matrons are faced with a greater range of boarding legislation than ever before, and are committed to professional development in all aspects of boarding education in the best interests of the children in their care. In addition, our boarding staff are constantly using opportunities for in-service education in pastoral care, counselling and other aspects of boarding life.