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Boarding at The Purcell School

The Purcell currently has 4 boarding houses: Dulverton House hosts around 12 junior girls up to year 9; Sunley House has 55 girls up to year 12; Avison House has 19 sixth form girls and Gardner House has 45 boys.

Students board usually from year 8 but occasionally younger students are admitted into boarding.  This is only done in agreement with the parents, the school and the pupil concerned.

Pupils in year 11 and below will normally share rooms.  Pupils in the sixth form will normally be provided a single room.  Sixth form pianists will usually have a piano in their room.  Each house has at least 1 kitchen and a social room with a flat screen TV and DVD – some houses even have play stations. The boys’ house boasts a pool table.  Often students can be found making themselves pancakes, toast, and cups of hot chocolate.

Each house has several staff associated it.  We currently have 5 practice supervisors, who are recent graduate students.  In each house there are another 3 or 4 more experienced graduates who are on the teaching staff but who also carry out day to day duties for the students.  Also in each house there are 3 or 4 domestic staff that carry out vital roles for the welfare and wellbeing of all students.

The meals are at the usual expected times although on Sundays we provide students with an ongoing brunch from 9am to 12 noon.  The food is second to none.  I say this with confidence from considerable first hand experience!

All students are woken by one of the boarding staff at 07:00.  They are to prepare themselves for morning practice, which starts at 07:20.  Breakfast is provided at 08:20.  School timetable starts at 08:45.

On Fridays and Saturdays there are regular film nights and trips to Watford and beyond.  We also operate a sixth form club on a Friday evening from 21:00 to 23:00.

The Purcell boarding community is a relaxed, happy and comfortable establishment where students can thrive and reach their potential.  Guests are made to feel welcome and students leave having developed professional and social skills of a very high standard.

T D Smith
Head of Boarding

To see the House Handbooks, click on the house names below:
Avison - for girls in the Upper Sixth
Gardner - for boys
Sunley - for girls up to Lower Sixth