What our Boarders say

Meet Angel

Year 10

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. I have decided to study Art, PE, Drama for GCSE’s as much as I love academics, I believe I excel in creatives. 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

Year 8

Full time Boarder

Country of Origin - Hong Kong

Tell us a bit about yourself

I started Boarding along with brother this year, I am 12 years old. 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 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 students 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 on offer.

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 & dad each day.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

To become a creative realism painter.

Meet Princess

Year 11

Full time Boarder

Country of Origin – Ghana

Tell us a bit about yourself

I started boarding in Year 7. I study History, Spanish, Drama, Further Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English Literature and language.  I enjoy playing the piano, have been playing for many years.

How have you found settling into boarding?

My year group are already quite close and so made settling in easier. Everyone is really nice and the teachers are very supportive.

What is boarding life like at The Royal?

It’s very structured which is helpful, especially being an exam year. It’s also quite flexible at the same time meaning I get a good work – exercise – social life balance. The common room is a really nice place to socialise with other boarders in the evening.

How often do you go home?

I go home at half term and the end of term - approximately every 6 weeks.

How do you keep in contact with your family?

Phone, zoom and social media.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoy?

The weekend activities - we are always encouraged to take part. The boarding committee which I am proud to be a part of. The committee are the voice of the boarders. We decide on outings, celebration of events especially linked with diversity. I enjoy mixing and working with other students from many different backgrounds.

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

I have grown to be more independent and resilient; I am now able to do more things on my own. I am more responsible and have learned to manage my time better. I have grown in self-confidence and improved my speaking skills.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

In the short-term to do well in my GCSEs and hopefully gain a scholarship to the Royal Sixth Form and do well in my A Levels. In the future I am hoping to secure a place at Oxbridge or a Russel Group university and go and study human rights law.

Meet Grace

Year 12

Flexi Boarder

Country of Origin – UK

Tell us a bit about yourself

I started flexi boarding in September 2021. I take Geography, French and Physics A Level as well as an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) on Parisian Architecture. 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. You can choose which days you want to stay each week.

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 am also very excited to do 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?

I would like to go to university and live in France afterwards, independence is helping me to prepare for both these things.

Meet Harriet

Year 12

Flexi Boarder

Country of Origin – UK

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Harriet. I am studying Geography, Art, and Media studies. I started flexi boarding in September 2021. I like reading murder mystery books. I do choir club on 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 2 nights per week. Ideally you need to book a week in advance.

What is flexi boarding like at The Royal?

Flexi boarding is good, 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.

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 Helena

Year 12

Flexi Boarder

Country of Origin – UK

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Helena, I am 16 and I study Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A Level. I play the drums and in my free time I like to draw, paint, read and cycle. I am doing my EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) on the topic of synaesthesia.

What is flexi boarding like at The Royal?

Flexi boarding is good. It means I can focus on my studies and my parents don’t need to worry about picking me up.

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

On the evenings I stay over, we get our homework done in the Hub, a dedicated, collaborative space which is allocated each afternoon for prep time. Later in the evenings after dinner we go for a walk or play board games all together.

Are there any initiatives your particularly enjoy?

I love going for walks with my friends and spending time together. My friends and I have developed a kind of ‘routine’ that we do when we flexi board.

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

I have worked with my friends to complete homework more which has helped me develop my collaborative work skills.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

I want to be involved in something scientific. I receive a lot of support and encouragement from my teachers to achieve my aspirations.

Meet Jeanne

Year 9

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

Year 9

Short Stay Boarder

Country of Origin – France

Tell us a bit about yourself

Iit's 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 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!”