What our Boarders say

Meet Angel

Full time Boarder

Country of Origin - UK



Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello, my name is Angel. I started boarding at the age of 11 and have been boarding ever since in the English countryside, despite my home being in London. My interests are rugby and athletics along with pretty much every other sport. I play a variety of instruments and I am currently pursuing the guitar. I write poems and songs and love to sketch, my favourite style of art is distortion. I consider myself to have an outgoing personality and love to be involved in varied activities.

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

There is structure and freedom, two crucial things. There is also a good level of discipline and always someone to talk to.  There is always a good selection of activities and trips to pick from and I like the inclusivity of the boarding house and how we get to mix with different cultures and year groups.

How often do you go home?

I only go home during the holidays – the school offers a variety of weekend activities and trips.

In what ways do you think you have developed since coming to a boarding school?

Boarding has made me more independent, more responsible, resilient and helped me mature.

Are there any initiatives you particularly enjoy? Tell us why?

The sport activities each evening. The diversity of food. The homely and inclusive common room. The Head of Boarding, Mrs Bartlett-Rawlings who is like a second mother to me.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

I would like to be a professional rugby player. Equally I am interested in pursuing psychology/architecture too.

Meet Bridget

Full time Boarder

Country of Origin - Hong Kong

Tell us a bit about yourself

I started Boarding along with brother when I was 12 years old in Year 8, I am now in Year 10. I enjoy playing badminton and painting. Badminton is the reason I was eager to move to the UK, it relaxes me, and I enjoy it very much. My favourite type of painting is acrylic painting.

How have you found settling into boarding?

I found it easy and difficult at the same time since it’s my first time boarding. Everyone has been really helpful. The induction and buddy system has helped me settle in quicker. It was difficult to be away from home at first but now I feel settled and happy.

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

Boarding at The Royal is fantastic, you can interact with pupils from different year groups, nationalities and there is always someone to talk to and be there for you. I really enjoy the weekend trips and the variety of activities on offer. I enjoy the food that’s on offer it’s very diverse. There is also a good number of physical activities during the week and at the weekends.

In what ways do you think you have developed since coming to a boarding school?

Since starting to board I have become more independent and responsible. I have had to learn to do things on my own.

How do you keep in contact with your family?

I call my mum and dad each day.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

To become a creative realism painter.

Meet Grace

Flexi Boarder

Country of Origin – UK

Tell us a bit about yourself

I started flexi boarding in the Sixth Form. I take part in choir and have done RAD ballet grade 1-8. I have been on 3 English Youth Ballets and 1 Surrey Youth Ballet. I also have singing lessons and play the bass guitar.

How often do you flexi board? Can you choose number of sessions? How long in advance do you need to book?

I board twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can book up to one week in advance, but I booked all of mine before the start of term. 

What is flexi boarding like at The Royal?

I love flexi boarding at The Royal because it gives you the freedom to learn in a room with one of your friends. It also means I can spend quality time with others outside of my year group creating a unique bond by playing games and socialising. The dinner and breakfast routine allows me to be ready at the right time for clubs/schools. I also love playing music in the music room.

What happens after school in the evenings on the nights you stay over?

We do homework until 5:30pm and then head to dinner. Once we are back we continue with homework, play games, make hot chocolate and relax. I also play bass with my friend Helena in one of the music rooms.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoy?

I enjoy the ability to use my room during free periods in the afternoons. I also enjoy French conversation with our Head of Boarding, Mrs Bartlett-Rawlings on a Monday evening.

In what ways do you think you have developed since taking up flexi boarding?

I have become more independent and have adopted a better attitude towards getting on with homework. I have also improved my social skills.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

Go to university and live in France after that, independence is helping me to prepare for both these things.

Meet Harriet

Flexi Boarder

Country of Origin – UK

Tell us a bit about yourself

I love reading murder mystery books and taking part in choir club on a Thursday.

How often do you flexi board? Can you choose number of sessions? How long in advance do you need to book?

I flexi board two nights per week. Ideally you need to book a week in advance.

What is flexi boarding like at The Royal?

Flexi boarding is great, you get the work done more than you would do at home, and you get to spend time with your friends. Whilst flexi boarding you also get to enjoy plenty of fresh air on our grounds, exercise and spend time with full time boarders and make new friends.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoy?

We play board games, watch movies, and get to go on walks around the school grounds and local woodland.

In what ways do you think you have developed since taking up flexi boarding?

Working collaboratively as it’s such a lively and warm environment.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

I want to go to university. The teachers are so supportive and encourage me each day to achieve my goals.

Meet Jeanne

Short Stay Boarder

Country of Origin – France




Tell us a bit about yourself

I go to school in Paris and this is my first time boarding.

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

Boarding life is a great opportunity to make friends and have a lot of fun. We always do lots of activities like going to the cinema, playing a game of paintball or going to the museum.

Describe The Royal in 3 words

Friendly, motivating, interesting

In what ways do you think you have developed since coming to a UK boarding school?

This experience helped me a lot with my English, but it also helped me with my self-confidence.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoyed?

I really enjoyed the trip to Dartmoor because I had a lot of fun and being with the whole of Year 9 gave me the chance to get to know everyone better.

Have your aspirations for the future changed following this experience abroad?

Yes. This experience confirmed that I want to study abroad in the future.

Summarise your experience in your native language

En résumé, cette expérience a été incroyable et je ne la regretterais jamais. Elle m’a ouvert pleins de portes à ce que je voulais faire dans l’avenir et m’a fait découvrir beaucoup de choses. Je pense qu’il sera plus dur de partir de cette école que d’y arriver.

Meet Paul

Short Stay Boarder

Country of Origin – France



Tell us a bit about yourself

It is my first time boarding and I think it is one of the best experiences.

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

Boarding life at The Royal is like a big family where everyone has a place.

Describe The Royal in 3 words

Happy, friendly, innovative

In what ways do you think you have developed since coming to a UK boarding school?

I think my English accent has improved thanks to the boarding house and the school.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoyed?

The trip to Dartmoor was a great initiative.

Summarise your experience in your native language

“J’ai absolument adoré cette expérience!”

Meet Francesca

Short Stay Boarder

Coutry of Origin - Italy

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am Francesca, I am from Genoa, Italy. I am a cheerful person who likes to socialise. I really like to listen to music, I enjoy cooking, art, learning and spending time with people I love.

What drew you to come and study in the UK, particularly The Royal School?

I decided to come to The Royal School to improve my English because I think language is protagonist of almost all  jobs, and therefore so important. I also thought it would be a good experience for myself to improve and grow internally. When they described the school to me and I looked at the pictures on the website, I thought it would be the best fit for me.

How did the pupils and staff help you settle into boarding in the early days of this experience?

When I first joined the school they kept checking in with me, asking me simple questions like “how are you?”, “ how are you feeling today?” etc. At first I felt lonely but I soon made new friends.

What are the benefits of attending a smaller boarding school?

You get to know everyone and everyone knows you. You get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and learn so many things about other cultures.

How has this experience contributed to making you future-ready?

I think that by living away from home in a different country, with different traditions in an unfamiliar context, speaking and practising my English everyday has been very useful for my future.

How has your English language knowledge and confidence improved since being a Royal pupil?

I think that my English has improved. I practice it daily. I have learned to write and have trained my ear to listen and understand different words. I am sure that by hearing other people talk I have learned many sayings that were previously unknown to me.

What have been the highlights of this short stay?

I really like the many activities that the school has on offer. I have enjoyed going to London to explore the capital. When I first started I joined the rest of the Sixth Form for a team-building residential trip at High Ashurst. We took part in many activities, including high ropes, mountain biking, archery and woodland skills. It was great!

Would you consider returning to the UK to study in the future?

I don’t know where life will take me, but never say never, maybe one day…

Can you summarise your experience overall?

When I arrived at the school, I felt a little bit lonely, but lucky for me I found some friends almost immediately. I am so happy of my choice to come to The Royal School. I have improved my English, I have seen and learnt about British culture, and experienced how different the school is here from my school in Italy. Teachers always encourage you to cultivate your passions at The Royal. I am happy because this experience has given me more self-confidence as I can be an anxious person at times. Here I have felt appreciated as people have noticed all of my qualities. Sometimes I felt homesick as I wanted to see my parents, my friends… but now, I feel sad to leave. I spent a very happy term here, I am grateful for all that I have learned and the people I have met.

Meet Lorenzo

Short Stay Boarder

Coutry of Origin - Italy

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am Lorenzo, I am 17 years old and I come from Italy. I love sports, in particular football and tennis. In my spare time I go to the stadium with my friends to watch the football.

What drew you to come and study in the UK, particularly The Royal School?

I decided to come to The Royal School to improve and study English as it is one of the most important subjects and languages to learn. I saw many schools but The Royal was my favourite because it had lots of outdoor space and sports on offer. The school was also reccommended to me by an Italian educational agent, who told me good things about the school.

How did the pupils and staff help you settle into boarding in the early days of this experience?

I settled into school very quickly, the staff were always very available. I made friends after only one day and as soon as I started I joined in with the rest of the Sixth Form for a team-building residential trip at High Ashurst, this really helped me to get to know everyone in year group.

What are the benefits of attending a smaller boarding school?

The benefits of a smaller school are many. A calmer environment and more importantly it's easier to get to know everyone as it is very inclusive.

How has this experience contributed to making you future-ready?

This experience has helped me to improve my English. I have also matured during my time at the school and met new friends from all over the world. I have also been able to do subjects that are not offered in Italian schools such as economics and business, which I really enjoyed.

How has your English language knowledge and confidence improved since being a Royal pupil?

I think that my English has improved a lot, I can now understand most of what people say. I am definitely more confident.

What have been the highlights of this short stay?

The school's location is fantastic, just 50 minutes by train to Central London. The trips have been great; bowling in Portsmouth, National Gallery in London, watching professional basketball matches and spending time meeting new people, getting to know more about different cultures and lifestyles.

Would you consider returning to the UK to study in the future?

The world is big with many interesting places so maybe one day...who knows.

Can you summarise your experience overall?

My experience has been very positive, I have matured, met beautiful people, great teachers and spent a lot of time visiting London, my favourite city.

Meet Annika

Short Stay Boarder

Coutry of Origin - Germany

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Annika, I’m 15 years old and I come from Germany. My hobbies are swimming and dancing, but I also really enjoy reading and meeting new people. Besides school, I teach swimming to younger children, which is really fun. 

How did the pupils and staff help you settle into boarding in the early days of this experience?

At first it was hard to leave my family, my friends and my ‘safe’ environment at home, but as I entered the QEII Boarding House all my concerns were gone. I found new friends quickly and got used to the routines and the environment. At first I called my family often but, as time passed, I just called them a few times a week. I really felt at home at The Royal. Through the game nights and the trips at the weekend it was even easier to make new friends. 

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

In the week, you are in school until 4.10pm. After school until 5:30pm you can attend supervised prep.  Here you can complete homework and revise for upcoming exams. Following prep it's dinner time at 5:30pm. At the weekends there are lots of trips including activities on site. I have been to Guildford, London and much more. Sometimes, it is also Sports Super Saturday, this also involves day pupils, we all take part in different sports, including football, cricket, hockey, badminton etc. On Sundays, we can sleep longer than on other days and go to Tesco to get things we might need for the week. During the week and weekends, we can meet our friends in the common room or the café where we can play board games , cook or watch movies together.

Can you summarise your experience overall?

I have really enjoyed boarding school life because we live in a supportive and helpful environment. We are like a big family. I have really enjoyed the trips to London and other cities at the weekends. Personally, I haven't found it difficult to make friends because everyone here is very open and welcoming. The staff are also very supportive and help where they can. You can only feel at home here.

Ich mag das Internat Leben, weil wir in einer unterstützenden und hilfsbereiten Umgebung leben. Wir sind wie eine große Freundesgruppe die am Wochenende verschiedene Aktivitäten unternimmt aber auch unter der Woche großartige Sachen macht. Am besten finde ich die Trips nach London und andere Städte an Wochenenden. Unter der Woche können wir uns im common room treffen und einen Film schauen oder Spiele zusammenspielen.

Mir persönlich ist es nicht schwergefallen Freunde zu finden, da jeder hier sehr offen und herzlich ist. Auch die Mitarbeiter unterstützen jeden und helfen, wo sie können. Hier kann man sich eigentlich nur wohl fühlen.