ADVANTAGES OF BOARDING AT GREENFIELDS
Greenfields
started as a day school but as its reputation and numbers grew, over one fifth
of the student body is now made up of boarding students. There are over 40
spaces available for boys and girls from 11 to 17 years old (younger students
may occasionally be considered if accompanied by a sibling). Boarders are
situated in the main school which sits in 6 acres of school grounds on the edge
of the Ashdown Forest. It is a safe, peaceful and beautiful location within
walking distance of the local village and bus routes to other areas. It is a 20
minute drive from Gatwick airport, 35 minutes from Brighton and the coast and
50 minutes by train or car to London. The boarding house is supervised by a
team of dedicated and caring people most of whom are themselves parents. The
main advantages of being a Boarding Student are:
- Friendship. Children get to mix with other children of
all nationalities. Boarding students learn life skills that other children
may miss out on. It starts with the fact that they get to mix with other
children from all over the world. When the school was inspected by the
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in 2011, one of the main things
that impressed the inspectors was the cheerful sense of camaraderie they
witnessed among children of many nationalities and of all ages. This
‘family’ feel is often mentioned in the speeches of graduate students and
is evidently something that stays with them for life.
- Independence. Children learn independence as they have to
tackle their own laundry as well as learning to keep their rooms tidy and
their clothes in good conditions. They also learn rudimentary cooking
skills and have a cleaning rota for the kitchen and other communal areas –
all are life skills not necessarily enforced at home.
- Teamwork . Every boarder in on a duty rota which
rotates through a broad range of cleaning and maintenance activities
around the school and boarding house. Children learn to work
together and to carry out the tasks assigned and the results of their work
is monitored to keep it to standard. Assignments are designed with
due respect for cultural and ethnic backgrounds and age. This helps
students learn to get along with others as well as developing their
tolerance and respect for others.
- Learn English faster. Immersed in an English speaking environment,
boarding students quickly develop a working knowledge of English. This is
enabled through the school’s own English Language unit where they learn
the grammar and words of English which is complemented by taking part in
every-day life, games, outings, and communications with their fellow
boarders.
- Extra Study facilities. The school has its own ‘Study Hall’ open
after normal school hours as well as an ICT room and a library where student
s can access computers, do homework or receive additional help or tuition
as needed.
LIFE AS A BOARDER
- Evenings and Weekends. As well using spare time to catch up with
friends or put in extra study hours, boarders have access to both indoor
and outdoor school facilities. This includes tennis courts, football pitch
and outside team games, boarding lounge, a wide screen plasma TV, a video
console, board games, table tennis, football games and tea and coffee
making facilities. There are also plenty of organised sports and other
activities such as visits to the local swimming pool, gym, bowling alley,
cinema, shopping trips, orienteering etc. The school is fortunate in its
location on the edge of the Ashdown Forest as it has riding schools,
sailing clubs, cycle routes, climbing facilities and many other outdoor
activities within a few minutes drive or walk of the school . All of these
activities and more can be organised via the school and taken up as
hobbies if desired.
- Meals. Three meals are
provided each day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. After school snacks are
also provided. Meals are usually taken in a large communal dining room by
staff and children alike. A self-service system in in operation.
- Uniform.
During boarding hours (evenings and weekends) the school does not insist
on school uniform being worn but during school hours a proper and clean
school uniform should be worn at all times.
- Discipline.
Boarding schools in the UK adopt various sanctions against children who
break the school rules. A list of rules will be provided on application.
Greenfields adheres to a system of Plus and Minus points to either reward
or penalise as appropriate
- Students having their say. Every week the boarders are given a
Questionnaire to complete so that they can express their opinions to
improve activities, meals, dormitories and any-other thing they would like
to tell us. We always listen to them and try to accommodate their
needs when possible.
“My experience in Greenfields School has been
very good! I have enjoyed everything. The outside activities and the school for
the boarders are the very best things to me. Here in Greenfields I have made
friends from England and from all over the world. I am never going to forget
this experience at this school and I am never going to forget all the people
that have been around me, including teachers and friends. I am leaving very
satisfied with this experience and I hope I come back in my winter holidays and
in June.
Thanks for everything
Greenfields. “
P.G.V.
