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All private secondary schools (with the exception of Walthamstow Hall and Radnor House, Sevenoaks), and one state grammar school, offer boarding in West Kent. Flexi-boarding is growing in popularity; pupils with extra-curricular commitments and parents who work in London find it an ideal option. Some schools have identified flexible boarding as the key to modernising provision and in consultation with parents are working towards providing competitive boarding packages with real needs in mind. Pupils report looking forward to their boarding days giving them ‘more time’ to do all they want at school.
There are some truly delightful options for prep boarding from weekly provision at The New Beacon (Monday to Thursday) to Saint Ronan’s, the biggest boarding prep in Kent, where more than a third of its pupils sleep over at least one day a week and pupils view it as ‘better than home’. Campfires and hot chocolate with lashings of cream are a big draw. In the homely manor at Dulwich Prep Cranbrook boys and girls are housed on separate floors in small sized dorms. Boarding is also on offer at King’s Rochester Prep although only a few pupils take it up.
There are three all-girls boarding senior schools in the area, with Benenden continuing to provide a fabulous experience in their beautiful grounds, ‘one of the warmest, most reassuring boarding experiences anywhere,’ our reviewer remarked. At Cobham Hall a quarter of the girls board in two boarding houses, sixth formers enjoy their own space in a separate house. Kent College, Pembury has a healthy balance of full and flexi-boarders in newly decorated and family feel accommodation. The 20 per cent of boarders at Bethany are mostly international but there are also about 20 weekly boarders. Sixth formers have a co-ed house with separate rooms and ensuite.
Tonbridge School has seven houses for the 450 boys who board. The majority are local or from London and many go home on a Saturday afternoon to be back on a Sunday.
Register early for boarding at Sevenoaks School where rarely there are spaces beyond the initial intake in year 9. Mostly shared rooms in a variety of styled accommodation under each housemaster’s guidance even to prepare for life beyond school. Sutton Valence is keen to promote part-time boarding in its two newly refurbished houses which pupils describe as ‘chilled’. Perhaps the most traditional boarding experience would be at King’s Rochester, with boarding houses set in a charming assortment of quirky buildings around the cathedral.
Cranbrook School is a co-ed state school offering boarding from year 9 with relatively modest fees of between £14,000 - £17,000 per year.
Boarding schools near West Kent
The most popular migrations are to East Sussex and Surrey - many pupils ‘border hop’ to schools such as Brighton College, Caterham School and Epsom College. West Sussex’s Hurstpierpoint College and King’s School Canterbury in East Kent also draw a small crowd. Schools in Essex such as New Hall School, Felsted School and Brentwood School also attract a few thanks to the proximity of the Dartford Crossing. Weekly prep boarding at Vinehall School, over the border in East Sussex, is a good option for some wanting really high calibre facilities and excellent preparation for the top senior schools.