Boarding Houses open for Felsted School pupils

A number of Felsted School boarders were welcomed back this week, the first time the boarding houses have been open since April. Year 10 and 12 pupils have experienced a week of boarding in two separate boarding houses, completing their virtual learning together, alongside allocated time for co-curricular activities, carefully selected safe sports, personal exercise and social time. Pupils in Year 10 were allocated to one boarding house as a household and Year 12 pupils were allocated as a household to another, separate boarding house.

Year 12 pupil Cooper Baker from Toppesfield commented; “It is so good to be back with friends and get away from the monotony of working solo from home. It has benefited me academically by being able to work with my peers and having access to teachers.”

Vivian Beale from London, also in Year 12 said, “The group activities such as Foot Rounders, tennis and yoga have also been great fun, alongside playing table tennis and board games such as Cluedo and Obama Llama in the evenings.”

Sports Scholar Beth Irvine from Colchester, was particularly happy to be back boarding; “I have been able to work more on my fitness using the facilities on campus, some of which have been able to reopen, and have had some personal training on the astro pitch with my hockey coach, so I am ready for the season ahead.”

The School opened its doors again on 2nd June to its younger day pupils in Reception, Year 1 and 6 and then on 15th June to Year 10s and 12s as day pupils only. A dynamic home learning programme called ‘Felsted at Home’ has been delivered remotely for all age groups and will continue in September, alongside the onsite provision, until every pupil is safely able to return. Felsted School is normally home to over 400 senior boarding pupils and 60 prep boarding pupils and is looking forward to welcoming them back in stages at the end of August and beginning of September.

Felsted has conducted comprehensive risk assessments and implemented stringent health and safety measures, adhering to Government Guidance as well as the Boarding Schools Association and Safe Schools UK guidelines, amongst others. Deep cleans, regular cleaning (including with virucide), temperature checks, frequent handwashing, antiseptic gels, one way systems and social distancing, where possible, have become the new normal for school life.

Chris Townsend comments; “We are confident that we can accommodate our boarding pupils safely and allow them to continue with their education in a safe and enjoyable environment. Everyone has adapted well to the new rules and systems we have in place, to keep everyone safe, and parents have been very supportive and appreciative of the care that has been taken to make the return such a success.”

Felsted was shortlisted by the Times Education Supplement for ‘Boarding School of the Year 2020’, for its superb boarding offering. The School offers a variety of flexible boarding options, with pupil wellbeing at its heart, to suit modern family life. Take a virtual tour and view their boarding videos on www.felsted.org.