As oppose to a normal boarding school in China, Lucton School Shanghai is a full boarding school that provides pastoral care and academic support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that our students will only leave the school campus when whey are on an external activity, during school trips or in holiday.
Some advantages of boarding before University are:
Small class size
In a state school, the class number normally is 40-50 students. A student will just be a number, only a very clever or a very bad one will be noticed and given more time than other students. However, in a boarding school, classes are typically 10-15 students. Students cannot hide in a class that small. They have to participate and will never just be a number. Each student will be treated as an individual with help and encouragement from the teachers.
Strong pastoral care
We believe, busy students are happy students. In our school, teachers are always keen to ensure that students have plenty to do which will push them beyond the minimum requirement of their courses. Therefore, the boarding school sector has a hugely impressive success rate in terms of access to top universities.
In our school, all teachers are dedicated and love to teach and they all have degrees in their subjects. Teachers in boarding schools understand how much time and support is available, so these talented teachers can teach without wasting time. They also know that students are often competing for places at Universities that are highly selective.
Positive study environment
Lucton School Shanghai is selective and is for students who want to work hard and achieve. All students will be set far more work than at a state school and encouraged to study diligently. It’s cool to be hard working and clever. There is supervised work every evening with the chance to discuss problems with teachers and friends. Work is spread out over the whole week. The depth and breadth of academic courses in boarding schools is remarkable. Under the study environment we have created, students’ mindsets will adjust to aim for the top.
Enrichments beyond academic
At the heart of every great boarding school is a thriving co-curricular programme. In Lucton School Shanghai, we provide modern facilities which help students to build a good work and life balance. The fabulous setting enables students to stay active and healthy, engaging them in sport and developing a portfolio of skills that will help them become successful in life beyond school. Students will never feel bored with such an attractive range of options on offer.
Valuable networks in future life
Arguably the greatest feature of a boarding school education is that it creates lasting memories that often help positively and permanently shape a young person’s life.
At Lucton School Shanghai, students will make friends for life. They build a network of friends and acquaintances who know and care about each other. Lucton School alumni are known as Old Luctonians. The Old Luctonian Association (OLA) keeps them in touch and helps with jobs and promotion in the future.
The bonds of friendship forged in boarding school are that much stronger, easily transcending national boundaries: the inclusive ethos and committed work ethic helps create future leaders in all walks of life.
Opportunities for independent development
Through the carefully constructed routines of Lucton School Shanghai, students learn to become independent in a safe and supportive setting. For many young people, their first taste of independence is when they leave home for university and, unfortunately, each year universities see students that are unprepared for the challenges and opportunities that life brings.
Students from our school have the advantage of having been taught how to motivate themselves, having been guided how to develop personal and professional relationships and having had experience of looking after themselves. This independence is balanced with highly individualised levels of care that are made possible through the holistic approach that boarding lends itself so readily to.
The home away from home
Leaving home is never easy, but it makes sense to make the move before University. At Lucton School Shanghai, we provide outstanding pastoral care for each individual. We have dedicated and highly qualified staff in place 24/7, including the availability of professional medical and counselling services. Our boarding philosophy is aimed at teaching students how to cope with life. All this is happening under the watchful eye of their teachers who are mentors.
We help our students to take a lot of little steps towards maturity. They have to learn to get along with one another because they live in a community. The lessons in life learned in boarding school lay a solid foundation for adulthood. We believe, our home style boarding life will be a unique, unforgettable memory for each Luctonian.
7:45am - 9:00am
A new day starts with wake-up bells at 7:45am. All boarders get up and prepare themselves for the day. Breakfast is served from 8:15am in the school dining hall, and consists of a great choice of food from the breakfast buffet. Boarders all wear school uniform and after roll call are ready to begin a busy day.
9:00am - 4:40pm
All boarders start classes at 9:00am. The attend four lessons in the morning session. Students have a lunch break at mid-day and the meal is be provided from 12:10pm in the dining hall. Seating at lunch is flexible and students are free to chat with peers or their tutors. The afternoon session starts from 1:30pm with four more lessons.
4:40pm - 6:00pm
After all eight lessons are completed, student attend a co-curricular programme during this period. We provide a variety of activities for selection from a wide range of music, art and sports. We also encourage students to attend clubs in line with their hobbies and interests.
6:00pm - 7:15pm
Supper is served from 6:00pm. After a long day, students sit in the dining hall with their friends and enjoy a meal together. The meal is a big selection of hot and cold dishes, including many healthy eating options, plus fruit and desserts.
7:15pm - 8:50pm
Prep time starts from 7:15pm. Phones and any other entertainment or electronic devices are not allowed during this time. Students only do work during prep study time. House tutors supervise and may provide work support in this session.
8:50pm - 10:00pm
A busy day is now finished. All boarders are free to arrange their own time. They can chat with friends and make phone calls to families after a long day of study.
10:00pm - 10:30pm
Students can take a shower, get ready for bed and the prepare for the following day. All lights will be turned off in the corridors at 10:30pm. Corridors are monitored in the evening to make sure that all students are in their rooms.
Weekends at Lucton School Shanghai are very busy, with lessons on Saturday morning, practicing sport or performing art in the afternoon. Some of these activities are compulsory, some are a matter of choice.
Saturdays
On Saturdays there are four academic lessons. After lunch students will often be involved in sports matches with other schools or rehearsing for plays or concerts. Saturday nights are ‘full on’ and there are always organized activities such as film nights, discos, talent shows, quizzes, plays, birthday parties and much more.
Sundays
Sundays are more relaxed and students have a choice in most of what they do. There are many on-site facilities such as the gym, sports pitches, music practice rooms, the theatre and family rooms in the boarding house for relaxing with friends. Many students use Sunday as a ‘catch up day’ for major pieces of academic work, others may have an off-site trip organized as part of the super-curriculum.
Parents are encouraged to attend school events. They can attend a lecture, play or concert at school on Saturday evening or Sunday. These also give them the opportunity to discuss their children’s progress with school staff.
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