Boarding at Bootham School

Welcome

Life at Bootham is often described as a ‘home away from home’. A nurturing boarding school for girls and boys in years 7-13, we provide a warm and friendly environment, run on sensible lines with normal family common sense applied.

As a co-educational boarding school, we have separate houses for girls and boys, each with two resident staff, alongside day staff and resident graduate assistants.

Bootham recognises that an active relationship between staff, students, parents and guardians lies at the heart of a positive boarding experience, and therefore welcomes communication from students’ families.

Sixth-form boarding is increasingly popular at Bootham, with growing numbers for both boys’ and girls’ boarding. Parents are happy that their child is becoming more independent before entering the world of higher education or employment, whilst students value the extra time they can spend on studies or with friends.

The international nature of boarding also brings benefits. Children learn to understand different people and their cultures, and by living in a thriving community based on mutual respect, they gain the necessary global outlook needed to succeed in today’s world.

A Co-educational Boarding School, for Life

Although Bootham has separate girls’ and boys’ boarding houses, students share classes, meals and after-school activities. We find this to be of great benefit for developing interpersonal skills, confidence and open-mindedness, all of which prove invaluable for entering higher education and adult life.

At Bootham, we believe an exceptional education is about more than grades. With a more diverse learning environment, students are empowered to achieve their ambitions and find their voice, while learning to break down gender stereotypes from a young age.

At the end of a packed day’s learning, dining and socialising, our pupils have the comfort of retiring to their respective boys’ and girls’ boarding houses, where they can relax with roommates. These sanctuaries are furnished for relaxation, fun, safety and study, and help build the foundations for lifelong friendships.

To experience Bootham’s warm, tight-knit boarding community, just register to attend a school open day.

Register Here

Boarding Ethos

The boarding ethos is guided by the Quaker testimonies of Equality, Peace, Simplicity, Stewardship and Truth.

Boarding at Bootham aims to be:

  • A nurturing community where each person has the opportunity to develop physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually.
  • An open community with honesty and trust.
  • A safe community where disagreements are resolved peacefully.
  • An inclusive community where no-one is discriminated against.
  • A confident community where the unique contribution of each individual is celebrated.
  • A thoughtful and forgiving community where we everyone takes responsibility for themselves and others.

Accommodation

The school has a girls’ boarding house and two boys’ boarding houses, each of which provides homely and comfortable accommodation in elegant Georgian buildings. Each has its own common room, kitchen facilities for making snacks, a student laundry and Wi-Fi.

An onsite health centre meets the needs of students who require medical attention, health education or simply a quiet place for rest and respite. GP surgery sessions are held in school on Tuesday and Friday mornings for students registered with the school doctor. Boarding students may wish to see the school doctor on a personal basis, which can be arranged through the Health Centre or by contacting the doctor’s surgery.

Boarding Options

Full Boarding and Weekly Boarding

Our full and weekly boarders, who stay at school between four and seven nights per week, make the houses their home. Friends who are day students may stay over, and everyday students may have two nights free sleepover per term at a time agreed with the house staff. This is always popular, so advanced booking with the relevant Head of House is essential!

 

Flexi Boarding

Students can also choose to board for two or three nights every week. Comments below are from the Independent Schools Inspectorate report on Bootham School, January 2022

“Throughout the school pupils of all ages are open and receptive to different cultures. They show a profound respect for each other which is underpinned by Quaker values.

Boarding, with its multi-cultural diversity where friendships from different ethnic backgrounds thrive, clearly embodies the respect that all pupils show towards each other.”

Occasional Boarding for Day Pupils

Subject to availability in the boarding houses, all students are welcome to come and try out boarding at Bootham. If your child is interested in staying with us, please email our Head of Houses (Rowntree – boarding for girls, Fox – boarding for boys Year 7-11, Evelyn – boarding for boys Year 12 & 13) who will get in touch as soon as possible. Please aim to leave at least a week between the request being submitted and the required boarding date. Each student is welcome to stay with us for two free nights per term, after which a charge of £35 will be added to the school bill for each additional night (up to 8 extra nights a term.) Their stay will include all meals, bedding and access to evening activities.

We look forward to welcoming your child to boarding at Bootham.

 

Studying in York

Bootham School is situated in the beautiful and historic city of York. This wonderful location provides easy access to world-class cultural attractions, beautiful countryside and stunning coastline.
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Additional Information

View additional information regarding Boarding at Bootham, including information on:

  •  Housing
  •  Activities
  •  Meals
  •  Guardians
  • Travel arrangements
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