Boarding Principles and Practice

Princess Helena College is a boarding and day school with approximately 40 full/weekly boarders and 30 flexi boarders. We believe, as stated in our published values, ‘in the value of all types of boarding at every level of the school and the importance of the boarding community for all students, including day girls'.

We strive to provide a happy, healthy and caring boarding environment where pupils are able to develop and flourish. Each individual is encouraged to develop her own character and sense of self, growing in confidence, courage and compassion.

We believe that boarding should complement, not replace family life and the pupil's House is her home from home and the centre of her personal life. We aim to create a supportive and relaxed environment where each girl can develop at her own pace.

Housemistresses seek to guide students appropriately, using praise and encouragement liberally whilst upholding high expectations of behaviour. We want each boarder to feel that she is a valued member of the community and able to make a contribution to it.

Boarding provides the opportunity to experience a kind of community life that pupils may not experience again but which brings many benefits to them in preparing them for life after school. Pupils learn to be tolerant of each other, yet they learn to be independent too. The boarding environment offers a rich variety of experiences and we want the experience to help them to develop culturally, creatively, physically, spiritually, morally and socially.