Overseas & Boarders
Case Studies

Life as a boarder.... In their own words!

There are around 90 boarders in total.

And our pupils are the best people to tell you about what life is like for the boarders of Tettenhall College.

Junior Weekly Boarder

Why did your parents choose boarding?
They both work long hours and they liked this school because I could stay here in the week and go home at weekends.

What do you enjoy most?
You’re with your friends and you can ask for help with your homework. You don’t have to walk to school and you get to play loads of games.

Does boarding change things at home?
Well, you talk a lot more because there is more to catch up on. I always go home on Friday night so there’s five days to catch up on.

Junior Full Boarder

What do you enjoy most?
I like spending time with my friends and playing football and pool after prep.

Anything you don’t enjoy?
Having to sit down and do my prep every night.

What do you do at weekends?
There are lots of things organised like bowling and trips to the cinema. Last weekend we went paintballing. We can also use the sports hall for five-a-side football.

Senior Full Boarder from Lower School through to the Sixth Form

What’s the main difference between Junior and senior boarding?
It’s the impact you have on the Boarding House. In the Junior School it’s structured and you just go with the flow. In the Senior School your ideas are actually implemented and the things you say make a difference.

You’ve been a boarder for a long time, what would you say to someone considering boarding?
Give it a go. I’ve had my ups and downs over the years but looking back I would say I have had a great time and I think my grades are better because I have been more focused than I would have been at home. I love being here and I love going home so I think I have the best of both worlds.

Senior weekly boarder

Why weekly boarding?
I only live ten miles down the road but I like the idea of being here in the week. Most of my friends are boarders so I like being able to see them as well as getting my studies done. I plan to go to University so hopefully this will be good preparation for living away from home.

Do you miss your family in the week?
I’ve actually found my relationship with them much better. We still talk every day and I e-mail them as well.

Full boarder from Overseas

What do you enjoy most?
I have more space and the facilities are better compared to Hong Kong. The other pupils here are really friendly and the teachers are really supportive. My parents can’t believe how much my English has improved.

What helped you to settle in?
Compared to other schools in England I feel quite lucky… because my boarding house is a small community we all know each other very well and we are very close.

One year boarder from Overseas

Why are you only here for a year?
I have come here to the school from Germany in order to improve my English.

I wanted to go to a small school where I would find it easy to mix with other people and where I would get lots of help.

Are you enjoying it here?
It was difficult at first as it is my first time away from home but now I am having a good time and learning so much. I think it was a really good idea to come here and I would definitely recommend it.