Boarders' activities programme
There are a wide range of activities organised for boarders each evening – from treat nights on Tuesdays, when students enjoy toasties, waffles or smoothies for snack, to special Friday night activities with events such as Taskmaster, Manhunt or Highland Games.
At the weekend, trips and experiences are organised, enabling our boarders enjoys exciting outings, alongside a chance to relax and unwind. We create a varied programme throughout the year, from cultural visits to museums and galleries, trips to the beach, picnics at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, escape rooms and Chessington World of Adventures. We are always open to suggestions from our boarders as to how they would like to spend their weekends, and will adapt our programme to suit their interests.
With a strong emphasis on the family feel to boarding at Bedales Prep, our boarders are encouraged to do the things they might otherwise do with their family, like cooking and eating, socialising and relaxing together. Every evening, 'Homely Time' gives students the opportunity to spend an hour doing something they might do in their spare time at home – whether that’s baking, playing with Lego, spending time with the animals in Outdoor Work or going for a walk.
Going home for the weekend
Boarders are welcome to stay at school at the weekends (with the exception of long leave/exeat weekends) but they are also welcome to go home, even if they are a full boarder.
For those who choose to go home for the weekend, boarders in the Groups (Years 4-6) are able to leave from 4.30pm on Friday afternoon. Boarders in the Blocks (Years 7-8) can leave after morning lessons at 12.35pm on Saturday.
For boarders going home on a Saturday, we offer an accompanied train option to and from London Waterloo at the weekends. A member of staff accompanies boarders on trains departing Petersfield on Saturday lunchtime, meeting parents at an agreed meeting point, and accompanies them on a return journey from London Waterloo on Sunday evening. At leave weekends and half terms, the train will run on a Friday evening instead.
Our Boarding team
Our dedicated and passionate Boarding team create a caring, homely environment for boarders to flourish.
The team comprises the Head of Boarding, Alice Tang-Pullen, who is supported by the Deputy Head of Boarding, Ryan Walsh, and a Visiting House Tutor, Mea Wade. All of the boarding houseparents are also part of the Bedales Prep teaching team, which ensures that our boarders have continuity in care and the team have an excellent overview of the boarders’ pastoral care.
There are also two resident matrons, Alex and Sue, a medical matron, Kirsty, and an emotional support matron, Kath, who have overall responsibility for the physical wellbeing of the boarders.
