Welcome to the Armed Forces Directory of Boarding Schools
The Armed Forces Directory of Boarding Schools is an independent directory sent to service parents to assist them in finding the ideal school for their child/children.
The directory includes various schools and colleges that offer service parents and their children an insight into the benefits of boarding, you will find information from students, parents and teachers about the benefits of boarding schools from the UK and overseas.
State Boarding Schools
You may be surprised to learn that there are currently 40 state boarding schools.
Single sex school or mixed school? The pros and cons explored
For many years there has been an ongoing debate about whether single sex or mixed education works best or delivers the higher results.
Caldicott School
A further adaptation to our boarding offer.
Caldicott is proud to announce an update to our boarding offering. Building on our legacy as a premium boarding prep school, yet mindful of an evolving educational landscape, we will soon be embarking on a new phase in our rich history. From September 2024 it will no longer be compulsory for boys to board as they move into the senior school, and instead we will be offering a range of Day Plus, weekly and full boarding options.
Currently, most boys in Years 3-6 are day boys, with an expectation for boys to transition to boarding from eleven years of age.
In fast-changing times, Caldicott exemplifies how to answer the evolving needs of pupils without losing sight of the core strengths that gives us our dynamic spirit. This change is a natural progression of the current boarding model and a reflection of our responsiveness to the evolving parent body and the expectations of top tier senior schools.
Not all boys are ready to board at the same time. Through our academic lens, we pride ourselves on looking at each boy’s individual needs and we now want to take this same approach with our boarding.
Headmaster Jeremy Banks says: “We’re proud of our boarding ethos and believe that it will be strengthened as we move to a position where we can tailor each boy’s Caldicott experience to suit them perfectly.”
Malcolm Swift, Chair of Governors called the move, “a confident step forward, reinforcing our commitment to deliver the highest quality, individualised education for Caldicott boys."
At Caldicott, we are laser-focused on delivering an ideal all-round learning experience that prepares boys for their continued educational development at a senior level. We know how best to teach boys and understand the true essence of a prep education. Crucially, we do this in the context of the modern world, ensuring boys are guided on a pathway to becoming successful and emotionally intelligent young men.
Supporting Service Children at Haberdashers’ Adams
In the Month of the Military Child, Haberdashers’ Adams shines a spotlight on the support offered by the school to Service children. It is very proud of their Service children community and offers a number of support mechanisms to them.
A dedicated member of staff, Mr Johal, has responsibility and oversight for the personal and academic development of Service children. He is the main point of contact within the school for Service families, providing pastoral support and guidance. Mr Johal provides mentoring specifically for Service children. His focus is to help pupils build social skills, self-esteem and develop positive attributes to learning, thus raising academic attainment.
Service children are offered the opportunity, once every half term, to come together on a field trip and receive advice and support off-site. This creates an opportunity to share experiences with peers, work as a team, get to know the staff who support them and build a Service community. Events have included a day at Harper Adams with the Service Children’s Progression Alliance, walking up the Wrekin, team building activities at Arthog and a trip to Hoo Zoo.
Mr Johal says: "We hope that having the opportunity to know who else in school is a Service child will encourage pupils to seek each other out in times of need."
“The UK has a global reputation for education, characterised by excellence and quality. Our global education offer encompasses the full range of the education spectrum, including early years, independent schools...[and] higher education.”
— International Education Strategy,
HM Government
Continuity
of Education Allowance (CEA)
Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is offered by the MOD to assist with funding a place in a boarding school in order to help to provide continuity of education for a child, and to enable the spouse of a Service person to accompany them on assignments.
We offer support to all RAF personnel, regular and reserve, single, married or in a partnership AND to their families.
RAF Families Federation
Education overseas for service children
The education provision for service children overseas can be categorised as Ministry of Defence (MOD) Schools and Settings or non MOD schools locations.
The value of independent schools
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) brings together seven associations and four affiliate associations to represent over 1,300 independent schools.
These schools educate more than half-a-million children.
Approximately half of UK independent schools are ISC schools, educating around 80% of all independent school children.