Types of Boarding
We recognise every family will have different needs from a boarding school. For this reason, we offer a range of boarding options to meet those needs.
Full Boarding
This is our most popular boarding option, where students live on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the school terms. Full Boarders go home to their families or guardians during holiday periods. Exeat weekends give students the opportunity to go home for one weekend every half term. However, the school does remain open for students wishing to stay on-site.
Weekly Boarding
Weekly Boarding means that students can return home for weekends after completing their school commitments. This is particularly useful for parents who live close to the school, but have a busy work life during the week.
Flexi Boarding
Flexi Boarding offers families a convenient option, where students arrive at school for morning registration and depart from 16:15, depending on school commitments like clubs, sports fixtures, or training sessions. Flexi Boarders are welcome to stay into the evening, completing their prep (homework) in school and having dinner alongside their peers. The fee includes up to 10 overnight stays with additional nights bookable. Please note, there is no minimum overnight requirement.
Why Consider The Duke of York’s Royal Military School?
There are many reasons why boarding school could be right for your family:
- Mobility & Working Life. For Forces Families, parents may be deployed or move often, in which case boarding provides continuity of education for their child. Other families may also find the demands of work challenging. While it can seem daunting to send your child to boarding school, we encourage all parents to stay connected and communicate with their child and their House staff.
- Small Class Sizes. We are able to offer smaller class sizes, with an average below 22 at GCSE and 12 at A Level. This means students benefit from the nurturing support of their teachers and achieve outstanding academic progress.
- Academics & Outstanding Destinations. Students at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School achieve over 3/4 of a grade higher than the national average and move onto leading universities, high-level apprenticeships, or embark on careers with the values and skills required to succeed.
- Facilities and extensive Co-Curricular Opportunities. Our 150-acre parkland estate is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and students have access to over 80 clubs and activities weekly. Sport, Music, Performing Arts and Outdoor Education are key to life as a Dukie.
- Increased Independence. Boarding allows students to grow independence, supported by a team of experience pastoral staff. This independence, combined with academic rigour, leads to enhanced university and career opportunities.
- Our Dukie Community. Our school boasts a home-from-home environment where students feel apart of a special community. Students thrive and make life-long friends, demonstrated by our dedicated alumni organisation, The Dukies Association.
- No VAT and Lowered Fees. As a state boarding school, education is covered by the Government, meaning fees are significantly less than at independent schools. State boarding is also exempt from VAT.
Adjusting to Life at Boarding School
Settling into life at boarding school can be challenging for both students and their parents.
Our school provides a comprehensive induction process whereby students and their family are supported by their Houseparent and the pastoral team. Existing students are also trained to be peer listeners and act as a support network within each House.
Students are encouraged to embrace the Dukie life and take full advantage of activities on offer so they can fully integrate within the community. Missing home is perfectly normal however boarding at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School enables your child to develop independently alongside their peers, supported and nurtured by school staff who keep you updated every step of the way.
“With my own children at a nearby private school, I found myself questioning why I was paying the extra cost” – Muddy Stilettos, Best Schools Guide
