We are really pleased we were chosen as finalists in the BSA (Boarding Schools' Association) Supporting Excellence Awards for our boarding houses and were shortlisted in the Independent Schools' 2021 Response to Covid Award. Both reflect our dedication to creating a safe and homely environment for our boarding community.
Boarding at Ryde encourages pupils to become independent, open-minded and principled thinkers. Family values are at our core and the wellbeing of our boarders is paramount. We encourage all pupils to find a good work/life balance, and be proactive members of a supportive community.Our last Ofsted report concluded we provide an ‘outstanding’ boarding provision for those in our care and at Ryde we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional level of pastoral care with an emphasis on family values and well-ordered supervision.
Life-long friendships are made at Ryde. International and UK boarders live with local pupils who flexi or weekly board. Add to this the rich diversity of boys and girls, differing ages and backgrounds and you have all the ingredients for one big happy family unit, of which all the boarders are extremely proud. As a team we see our pupils flourish and feel privileged to watch them develop into confident, articulate and achieving adults.
We regularly welcome boarders from forces families, and we are pleased to be able to offer a specific armed forces boarding package (please see below for further details). Please do come and visit us and meet our pupils and staff and we look forward to welcoming you to the boarding family.
There are many reasons why families choose boarding for their child and here at Ryde School we offer several options - either in Millfield or Centenary House, our two boarding houses.
FULL BOARDING
Full boarders benefit from a range of activities and experiences, giving them the opportunity to develop skills and interests beyond the academic curriculum. Full boarding develops confidence, social skills, independence, self-motivation and cultural awareness. The full boarding environment encourages a firm sense of community and helps to develop skills and talents for life whilst forming friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. Unlike many schools, boarders are able to stay during one week half-terms and there are no exeats.
weekly Boarding
Weekly boarders may go home directly after school on Friday, returning to the boarding houses on Sunday evening. Alternatively, they may choose to return directly to school on Monday morning. This option relieves any arduous daily commute, allowing more time for studying and involvement in extra-curricular activities. After an intensive week, boarders can go home to relax with family and friends. Weekly boarders have their own living space where their possessions remain.
Flexi Boarding
Flexi boarding is increasingly popular nationally, and is there to help accommodate the busy lifestyle of the modern family. Your child is guaranteed a cosy bed and quality time spent with their boarding friends. Flexi boarding offers the benefits of a boarding education for part of the week and is also useful for pupils with additional sporting, music, drama or other extra-curricular commitments. Parents can book for a single or multiple nights, billing is per night.
Day pupils are also encouraged to try flexi boarding to see if full boarding may be something which suits their needs later as they progress through the school.
Pupils from Overseas
Overseas pupils should have a sufficient level (age appropriate) of spoken and written English to enable them to follow the school curriculum. Our Learning Support department offers specialist support to pupils who have English as a second language. For most pupils these are incorporated into the normal curriculum but we may ask some pupils to have extra one to one lessons which incur an additional charge; should this be necessary, we would inform parents when making the offer. Entrance tests in Maths and English are also required, together with a satisfactory report from your child’s current school.
We strongly recommend a visit to the school and boarding houses in order that you and your child can see what we offer but we realise this is not always possible. Skype interviews are normally conducted with the Head Master if a school visit is not possible and this will enable you to get a better feel for school and boarding life at Ryde.
Sixth Form Boarders
Most of our boarders have sufficient language skills to join Sixth Form A Level and International Baccalaureate programmes. However, if more confidence or knowledge is needed, or if GCSE qualifications are required, we also offer a one year pre-Sixth Form GCSE programme to equip students with the linguistic skills required for Sixth Form. Students will typically have passed around 7 GCSEs in that year and have confidence and study skills appropriate for entry into the Sixth Form. Please ask the Registrar for details.
Our renovated Victorian Villa Millfield was opened in January 2020 and is part of the main School campus at Ryde and an elegant addition to our Boarding Houses. The bedrooms are single, twins or triples, most with en-suite facilities. The house has a real family feel and, as with any good home, the beautifully designed kitchen is at the heart of the house. The large sitting room and prep areas ensure that study, play and rest are all optimised. There is a large garden with sea views and boarders have access to the school’s facilities and playing fields.
At Ryde, we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional level of pastoral care and an emphasis on family values and well-ordered supervision. There is a varied programme to allow time for relaxation, effective study and the opportunity to try new and adventurous games, activities and trips. The boarding accommodation provides comfortable and homely bedrooms, a variety of spacious common areas and places for quiet study. This creates an environment and community where pupils thrive, enabling them to exceed their potential.
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