Boarding
Rossall has welcomed boarders since 1844, and today is a friendly, supportive home from home for students from across the country and the world.
At Rossall the overwhelming feeling is one of togetherness, our students make the school their home through building friendships with their peers, supported by the care and diligence of our staff.
Boarding at Rossall is very much in tune with 21st-century life. There’s a family atmosphere in each of our 9 boarding houses, comfortable communal areas, campus-wide Wi-Fi access, carefully appointed study bedrooms, and state-of-the-art facilities.
“Boarding makes you grow up a lot and gives you an advantage when you leave. You get to know everyone you live with so much better than anyone else. The Wren girls are like my sisters.”
Our boarders develop great friendships and social skills, independence and understanding, as well as a warmth of spirit and character that will serve them well at university and throughout their lives.
Our beautifully appointed boarding houses are at the heart of an extended family made up of students and knowledgeable, caring houseparents and tutors who are attuned to the needs of the young people in their care.
Boarders join day pupils and staff to eat in the Dining Hall, where there is delicious and nutritious food to suit every taste.
WEEKENDS
A Rossall education is about much more than what happens inside the classroom, though exceptional teaching and learning remain at the heart of all we do. We believe it is our responsibility to nurture well-rounded young people by providing opportunities that foster curiosity, leadership, and cultural awareness beyond academic study and our Weekend Trips programme plays a vital role in this; designed to inspire adventure, foster cultural understanding, and create lifelong memories.
From the bustling streets of London to the serene beauty of the Lake District, our boarders explore some of the UK’s most iconic locations. Highlights include:
Adventurous Outings: Kayaking, gorge walking, and hiking in the Ribble Valley and Lake District.
Historic Cities: Overnight trips to Edinburgh, Dublin, Oxford, and Cambridge, rich with history and culture.
Urban Adventures: Visits to Manchester and Liverpool, offering museums, galleries, and football experiences.
Unique Excursions: Explore the magical world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio, or go wild with outdoor activities at Go Ape in Grizedale Forest.
DAY OR BOARDING?
One of the key considerations when joining Rossall is whether to be a day pupil or a boarder. For many families, the answer doesn’t have to be fixed from the start.
If you live close enough to attend as a day pupil, one of the great strengths of Rossall is the flexibility it offers. Boarding is always there as an option, whether from day one or as your child grows in confidence, independence and ambition.
As pupils move up through the School, many choose boarding to free up additional time for study, immerse themselves more fully in school life, or gently prepare for the independence of university and life beyond home. For others, boarding may simply make busy family life easier during the week.
Because every family’s circumstances are different, Rossall offers a range of flexible boarding options, including weekly boarding and flexi boarding and activity boarding. Flexible boarding allows day pupils to board part-time, either regularly or just when it suits, for example during exam periods, busy weeks, or to take part fully in co-curricular activities.
Above all, boarding at Rossall is about belonging. Our boarding community is kind, caring and inclusive, providing a home-from-home where pupils feel supported, known and valued.
And for some families, what begins as a practical choice becomes something more.
What if boarding turns out to be the best decision you make?
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For students who live within striking distance of Rossall, there is the option to become a weekly boarder. This enables students to go home any weekend they wish, but during the week to fully immerse themselves in school life.
Many students see this as a ‘best of both worlds’ option with the ability to concentrate on their studies, extra-curricular activities and friends during the week, then spend a day or two with their family at the weekend.
With the frequent and reliable train service from nearby Poulton-Le-Fylde station, many of our weekly boarders are able to travel to and from school independently.
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There are eight Houses for Senior boarders with three for girls:
Rose
Wren
Dolphin
and five Houses for boys:
Maltese Cross
Mitre Fleur de Lys
Spread Eagle
Pelican
Dragon
Pupils tell us that boarding means being part of a big family: everyone is there for each other. The support and encouragement of our Houseparents, Tutors, Captains and Monitors ensures students quickly become involved in the life of their boarding house. There are also friendly inter-house competitions which are a feature of life on campus.
All Houses have triple, double and single bedrooms, a common room, a large games room, a kitchen for snacks and weekend baking and a library with computer workstations and internet access.
While each House has its own unique history and personality, all foster an environment in which boarders are encouraged to achieve their true potential and develop valuable skills and qualities such as:
Communication
Teamwork
Leadership
Empathy
Cultural understanding
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Anchor is our dedicated Junior Boarding House for ages 11 to 14.
Anchor House is full of fun and laughter; from baking in the kitchen, to celebrating a birthday or taking part in one of our many house trips, there’s always something to do and someone to do it with.
As well as a varied activities programme, all of the house staff are committed to developing and supporting all students with their academic needs, ensuring that all of our children succeed and reach their maximum potential.
The diverse range of ages, cultures and languages at Anchor House helps our students develop life skills that will help them succeed at Rossall and more importantly in their future lives.
Junior boarding activities include weekend trips to the local town accompanied by a house tutor and fun off-site excursions such as:
Go-karting
Swimming
Cinema trips
Boating
Theme parks visits
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Our boarders are woken at 7.15am on school days and head down for a nutritious breakfast in our Harry Potter-esque wood-panelled Dining Hall.
After registration, lessons begin promptly at 8.35am. Each lesson lasts for 55 minutes and there are six lessons per day.
Students in Years 7-9 enjoy an eclectic mix of subjects, including English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Modern Foreign Languages including Mandarin. They also take turns in Design Technology, Drama and Food Studies, which are allocated to groups on a rotational basis every term.
Students in Years 10 and 11 will study the subjects they have chosen for GCSE. Mandatory subjects include English, Maths, Science and one Foreign Language, with optional subjects including Art, Drama, PE and Design Technology.
Sixth Form students will study either the IB, A Levels or a mix of A Levels and BTEC. In their study periods when they do not have a lesson, students are expected to work independently in the Sixth Form Centre, Library or an academic department of their choosing.
All students will participate in a games afternoon once a week. There is a wide range of sports available to our students including basketball, hockey, netball, football, Zumba and badminton.
Classes finish at 4.30pm. Students must then either take part in an activity or work independently within the boarding house, Library or Sixth Form Centre.
The School Day ends at 5.25pm.
In the evening, the boarders have tea (dinner) at 5.30pm. They then have registration at 6.25pm before completing two hours of prep (homework), which is supervised by a teaching staff member.
At 8.30pm the Senior boarders have free time in which they can visit their friends in other houses or shower and relax in their own houses.
Year 9-11 students must be back in their own houses by 9.30pm. For Sixth Form students, they have a curfew at 10.00pm.
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The food at Rossall is superb! Breakfast is a tempting array of cooked and fresh options accompanied by cereals, yogurts, muesli, fruits, juices and hot drinks.
At lunchtime, there is even more choice with hot main dishes, a vegetarian option, pasta bar, baked potatoes, homemade soup and salad bar followed by a selection of desserts.
In the evening, pupils enjoy a light supper in the Dining Hall, again with an element of choice in the sweet and savoury dishes. In the Senior houses, students have access to snacks such as toast and fruit.
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As a school which is open 24/7, we have a number of early morning and late stay options for day pupils, tailored to suit each age and phase of the school.
The Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are open from 8.00am, where supervised activities are available to the children before school starts. The academic day ends at 3.20pm for children in Reception to Year 2 and children are free to go home, however, we do encourage children to attend at least one after school club ending at 4pm. Between 4.00 pm and 6.00pm the children are supervised and allowed to play freely.
Pupils in Year 3 to Year 6 do have the option to start earlier than 8.00am and join the children in Anchor for a delicious and nutritious breakfast before school. At the end of the academic day, 4.00pm, a variety of after school activities are offered and there is the option to stay in school for supper or prep.
Many students see this as a ‘best of both worlds’ option with the ability to concentrate on their studies, extra-curricular activities and friends during the week, then spend a day or two with their family at the weekend.
With the frequent and reliable train service from nearby Poulton-Le-Fylde station, many of our weekly boarders are able to travel to and from school independently.
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We are extremely fortunate to have such an excellent on-site Medical Centre. Staffed by Two Registered Nurses, with a daily surgery with the School doctor, students, staff and visitors to the School are able to access medical advice or treatment throughout the School day.
Our Medical Centre also provides links to further specialists as required, for example counselling services or physiotherapy.
The nursing team liaise closely with the Houseparents and pastoral teams.
Parents are very welcome to call the Medical Centre if they would like to talk to one of the School Medical Team.
Email: medical@rossall.org.uk
MEDICAL CENTRE OPENING TIMES
Monday to Friday 0815 – 1715 hours
Saturday 0900 – 1600
SURGERY TIMES
Monday – Friday 0830 – 0900 for boarders requiring to see the Doctor.
0815 – 1715 for those requiring attention from the nurse.
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Casual/smart clothes (trousers, jumpers, fleece, shirts, T-shirts etc.)
Underwear
Nightclothes
Dressing gown
Slippers
Washing bag and toiletries
Shoe cleaning kit, polish and spare laces
Suitcase/holdall
Towels (shower and sports)
Duvet, pillow, duvet cover and pillowcase (OPTIONAL)
Laptop
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Pencil case with HB pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, coloured pencils, fountain pen and ballpoint pen (black or blue ink only)
30cm ruler
School bag
Glue stick
Scissors
Sticky tape
Scientific calculator (as recommended by the Maths Department)
Life as a Boarder
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Register Now
Complete the Registration Form to start your journey at Rossall.
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