Boarding at Chigwell is rather different from the traditional model of an English boarding school. We specialise in helping international students adapt happily and securely to living and studying in the UK, and preparing them for successful entry into British universities.
Quintessentially British Setting
Our small, friendly international boarding houses provide a secure base for students from different countries to play a full part in an English school.
Here, we create a friendly and supportive home-from-home for 28 sixth-form international students living on campus.
The students live in four extended family-style houses (two for girls and two for boys) and in each house students of different nationalities live together with their house parents who are experienced teachers and academic staff, and their families.
Our Boarders
Hear from Liza below on why she choose Chigwell, how she has settled in, her experiences, and her favourite aspects while at the school.
24/7 Pastoral Support
We are here in "loco parentis": that is, in the place of parents, and look after the boarders at all times outside the school day; to help and advise, and take care of the safety and welfare of the students.
Boarders here have the double pastoral support of also being members of our ‘day houses’, in which they mix with our local students.
Cultural Diversity
We value very much the different insights that individuals coming from other countries bring to our school and are committed to the sharing of these insights, and to a genuine cultural exchange for the benefit of all our pupils. The resulting mix is usually very stimulating intellectually and with close friendships formed across cultural and language barriers.
Boarding at Chigwell is therefore a mature community where independence and personal responsibility are valued and encouraged in all students, so that by the time they leave us they are prepared for the adult world of university and beyond.
In each house, a group of 7 or 8 students of different nationalities live together with the houseparents and their families - which means our houseparents really can have plenty of time for everyone.
Girls’ Boarding House
It is not know exactly when Church was built, but the oldest part is estimated to have been erected in 1600. There are many famous stories concerning the house, one being that Charles Dickens once stayed here, writing one of his novels – Barnaby Rudge.
Church house is run by Mr and Mrs Leroux. Mrs Leroux is the Head of French at Chigwell School and also teaches Spanish. Mr Leroux is an adventure tourism guide who has worked across North America and Europe guiding kayak, cycle tours and skiing. Church House aims to provide a nurturing and open environment where different cultures are shared and celebrated. The girls work hard, and we aspire that they feel at home and well supported in their academic journey at Chigwell School.
Boys’ Boarding House
Hainault House was built in 1874 in grand Victorian Gothic style and is run by Mr and Mrs Rabbitte, who have a young family. Mr Rabbitte is the Head of Geography at Chigwell School and his wife is a qualified social worker.
Hainault House promotes an environment where students can flourish both academically and pastorally. They practice a firm but fair, and usually fun approach to boarding, to ensure that the boarders get the best support when it comes to their school life and their own personal and emotional safety and wellbeing.
Bright, airy rooms and plenty of room to work and socialise enhance the friendly, family atmosphere that is the hallmark of Hainault House. It enjoys the advantage of being at the front of the School and is surrounded by a large garden, where barbecues are a feature of the summer term.
Boys’ Boarding House
Harsnett’s takes its name from the Founder of the School, Archbishop Samuel Harsnett, Archbishop of York and Master of Pembroke College Cambridge, who founded the School in 1629 as a school for the poor boys of the parish when he was vicar here. Harsnett’s is a family home run by Mr and Mrs Saunders, who live there with their three children. Mr Saunders teaches Mathematics and is the Director of Studies. Mrs Saunders teaches French, German and Spanish, and is responsible for English as an Additional Language (EAL) for Year 12.
Girls’ Boarding House
Sandon Lodge was built in 1870, and has a beautiful setting in the middle of the School’s 100 acres of grounds. It is run by Mr and Mrs Lord, who met while they were students together at Oxford University. Mr Lord is the School’s Head of Classics. A graduate in Classics and English, he has also recently completed an MA in Philosophy at Birkbeck College, London. Mrs Lord is research scholar at London University and the author of several books on music and cultural history.
Mr and Mrs Lord have lived in Sandon Lodge since 1998. They have known many generations of international students at Chigwell and have a big network of friendships with former students and their families all over the world.
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