Becoming a Boarder

When a girl joins us as a boarder, she often feels very excited and just a little bit apprehensive. Boarding at HLC is a big step, both for girls and for their families. Whilst boarding, our girls join a community that is like a large family. They develop their own self-reliance and increasing levels of independence. They learn to be tolerant and how to live and work with others.

In our four boarding houses we have facilities for full boarders, weekly boarders and occasional or flexi-boarders. A girl is placed in a House according to her age. This enables us to structure her time in the House at a level appropriate for her needs.

A number of our boarders are from the families of the armed forces. Boarding gives families security about the provision of continuity of quality education and enables a greater degree of flexibility. Many of our armed forces girls are weekly or flexi-boarders when families are nearby and full boarders when parents are overseas.

Our Houses also have boarders from overseas. We enable them to feel more settled by providing an orientation programme that gives them the opportunity to settle in Harrogate and adapt to their new environment before the school year begins.

The school is a member of the Boarding Schools Association and our boarding facilities are inspected regularly. In our most recent report (ISI 2007), inspectors commented:

'Within the boarding houses, strong social and moral training for life is emphasised. People relate to each other confidently and courteously… The quality of pastoral care and the provision for welfare, health and safety of pupils is outstanding. It is a genuine strength.'

We have our own medical centre, staffed by qualified nurses. Girls may register with the school doctor. When parents wish it, we can arrange dental and orthodontic appointments and trips to the optician.

We also have our own laundry on site, and every House organises weekly collection. Laundry is collected in House, sent to the laundry and returned within 24 hours. Bed linen, school uniform and “home” clothes can all be sent. Every House also has facilities for those girls who may wish to take responsibility for their own “home” clothes.

Younger girls are taken out on escorted trips at the weekend. These trips vary from week to week. Popular “short” trips are playing in the nearby Valley Gardens, or walking to Harlow Carr, or visiting the local sweet shop. We also visit the cinema in Harrogate and go ten-pin bowling. We arrange for one of the school minibuses to take us further afield. Popular trips are outdoor ice-skating in York at Christmas time, a visit to Haworth and the Bronte museum and a Summer trip to Llightwater Valley Pleasure Park.