What to expect
A typical day
All boarders present themselves at the Housemaster’s study, either on their way to or from breakfast which is usually between 7.30 and 8am. Lessons begin at 8.55am, with break at 10.50am and lunch at 1.10pm. Supper is served between 6 and 6.30pm and evening school begins at 7pm, finishing at 8.45pm. Callover and House meetings take place at 9.30pm with lights out from 10 – 10.45pm.
Day students
Our day pupils follow the same daily structure as our boarding students and have an equally strong House identity; they are able and encouraged to spend as much time as possible at school and often choose not to come home until 9.00pm on week nights.
They are able to come in at 8.50am for breakfast and stay for supper and evening school at no extra cost. Day students also can, if they wish, stay overnight for a nominal charge providing a space is available for them. With comfortable, modern facilities and friendly surroundings in the boarding houses, we offer a real 'home away from home' for our students. Many day students eventually opt to become boarders as they move up the school.
A typical weekend
Weekends are designed to provide structured activities, social and relaxation time.
We have a regular Saturday programme of fixtures in all the major sports and in addition to the games programme, there are a range of activities on a Saturday morning for boarders including:
- Photography
- Fencing
- Trampolining
- Contemporary Dance
- Fitness Room
- Badminton
- Sailing
- Life drawing
- Production Management
- Squash
Students wishing to go home for the weekend may do so once their commitments are finished: if selected for a sports fixture this means after the match and teas have finished. If a student has no fixtures they may go home on Friday evening.
Saturday evenings comprise of house social events, such as a cinema night, a themed evening such as a “Mocktail” Night or karaoke, followed by a DVD. The aim being to get all the boarders together, enjoying each other’s company. For Michaelmas Term 2011, we have a number of exciting events planned including an outdoor cinema, Mexican evening, casino night, race night, pampering event and talent show. For full details, click here.
Sundays are a relaxed time at Ardingly, and students can have a 'sleep in' if they wish before they tuck into the 'Big Brunch'. On some weekends, there will be a programme of trips and events designed to give our boarders a taste of what London and the surrounding areas in Sussex have to offer. Examples of recent trips include:
- Chessington World of Adventures
- Bluewater and Westfield shopping trips
- Twickenham Rugby
- Cinema
- Ardingly reservoir watersports
- Paintballing
- Clothes Show Live
Weekends for boarders are busy with a range of different socials regularly on the weekend schedule. Whether it’s watching England vs Ireland with a steaming Irish stew on a cold March afternoon or playing inter-house basketball and tennis, the weekends are fun and action packed. Housemasters will also usually host fitness activities such as indoor football, gym sessions and basketball and there is a weekly trip to the supermarket to stock up on essentials.
Boarders may, of course, go out on leave with local families or relatives any weekend they wish, as long as they have permission from their parents and from their Housemaster or Housemistress.
