A home from home in beautiful, natural Dorset surroundings. Our boarding school/house is a small, close-knit community in which the needs of each individual are met by experienced and caring house staff. Situated at the heart of our beautiful woodland campus in Bournemouth, Dorset, it is a happy and nurturing environment.
Strong and supportive relationships between pupils and the boarding school staff allow pupils to work, rest and play in a relaxed but purposeful atmosphere.
All boarders are encouraged to gain independence and take responsibility for themselves as well as being aware of and respecting the needs of others. The experienced boarding staff team provide a caring, cosy, relaxed and family environment where all girls are nurtured and supported according to their individual needs. The staff are all fully trained and work closely with the school nurses and the Deputy Head (Pastoral).
Our philosophy is straightforward: we aim to ensure that the boarders at St. Mary’s are happy, receive excellent pastoral care, are making the most of the opportunities on offer here and are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of life after Senior School and beyond.
WELCOME FROM THE BOARDING HOUSE TEAM
At Talbot Heath, we have one boarding house called St Mary’s which enables us to provide outstanding boarding provision for up to 42 girls. We offer full term, weekly and flexi boarding from Year 7 to Year 13. Our extensive grounds and facilities offer an excellent range of activities and opportunities for exploration.
We have a highly experienced team of professionals who ensure a safe, relaxing environment where all students feel nurtured and supported according to their individual needs. The boarding house team work extensively with the school nurses, designated safeguarding leads, external health and wellness services, senior staff and parents to support the experience of our students.
Our primary aims are to ensure that the boarders are safe, happy and receive excellent pastoral care. We aim to help our boarders find independence that will serve them well in the world beyond St Talbot Heath – whilst respecting and caring for those around them. The boarding staff are passionate about working with young people and help to prepare our students for the challenges in later life by running courses in everything from Women Who Inspire to Lifesaving and First Aid.
Everyone looks forward to meal times here – all our food is prepared and cooked on site. We cater for all dietary requirements and as a small boarding house, staff get to know pupil’s likes and dislikes; nothing is too much trouble. You can view our menu Girls are always treated to a special home made Birthday Cake of their choice and we enjoy sharing this together as a boarding family.
Many of our boarders are from overseas, but we have always welcomed day girls who live locally or those who do not yet want to board weekly or full-time. We understand that life can be unpredictable so we offer flexi boarding and ‘B&B’ nights for any families needing emergency care for their daughter at short notice. We are also home to some of our elite tennis and swimming academy pupils; families find us a great help supporting their daughters training schedules – especially with some early starts!
Our website will provide a brief insight into the life of a Talbot Heath boarder but I warmly invite you to come visit and hear from our finest ambassadors, why St. Mary’s is such a great place to call ‘home from home.’
BOARDING HOUSE FACILITIES
The majority of Years 7 – 9 are given an area in a 6 bedded dormitory to enable them to settle quickly into boarding life and become part of the boarding house family. Other boarders are accommodated in either single, double or triple rooms depending on personal and individual needs.
We have designated areas for the girls to study quietly, have use of computers and educational resources as well as communal rooms to relax with their friends.
The students particularly like watching movies, playing table tennis and dancing on the Nintendo Wii. We have two cosy lounges and a Games room packed with fun things to do ! We have two pianos, one in a dedicated room and one in the dining room.
For another homely touch, there is a small kitchen area behind our communal dining room where students can make snacks and hot drinks.
Boarders have access to our sports hall, sports field, tennis courts and 25m indoor swimming pool.
The boarding house has a beautiful green space in front called Boarder’s Green – where many of the students love to play badminton, ride bikes and do yoga in the summer.
We also have a laundry room with washers, dryers and ironing facilities.
ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS
We make the most of our downtime at Talbot Heath, unlike some boarding schools, we do not have Saturday School, weekends are for fun (but do remember to complete your homework!)
Here is a list of some trips and activities, these are inspired by pupils so can change depending on what the girls want to do. These are discussed in house & then planned for maximum enjoyment!
We are looking into organising an optional yearly overseas ‘holiday’ for Boarders, more on this to follow!
BOARDING TESTIMONIALS
Boarding is like a second home to me – I have spent so much time with my friends. I love hanging out with them, doing sports together and just chatting. It is a whole new experience but I can guarantee that it will be an amazing one!
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