Pocklington School Newsletter Summer Term 2019 | Page 5

Boarding at Pocklington School
National Boarding Week fun
We celebrated National Boarding Week with a
wide range of events reflecting the fun and
camaraderie of the boarding community, as well
as the great facilities they enjoy.
A series of team races and challenges, including
an obstacle race, kicked off the week, then
boarders had a giggle trying to match a
selection of baby faces (some of which were very
‘interesting!’),
with
current
staff.
A
whole-campus treasure hunt brought out
boarders’ competitive nature as they fathomed
out riddles to find the hidden treasure.
On Thursday the ever-popular Boarders’ BBQ
met expectations, with the entire boarding
community celebrating everything that makes
boarding great at Pock. Friday night was movie
night, then Dolman House (junior boys) and
Orchard House (junior girls) were filled with prep
boarders’ friends invited to stay over and get a
flavour of boarding life. Follow the fun all year
round on Twitter @pockboarding.
BSA recognition for Patrick Dare
and Nicola Bradshaw
Congratulations to Patrick Dare and Nicola
Bradshaw, who have been awarded the
Boarding School Association’s highest level of
accreditation, recognising boarding staff who
make a personal commitment to best boarding
practice.
Both Mrs Bradshaw, Housemistress of Dolman
House, and Mr Dare, Housemaster of Fenwick
Smith House, received Level 4 accreditation,
which recognises staff who have worked in
boarding for 12 years or more, met several key
commitments, completed relevant qualifications
and have made a significant contribution to
boarding beyond their own setting.
Martin Davies, Pastoral Director, said: “This is a
well-deserved recognition of Patrick and
Nicola’s
expertise
and
long-standing
commitment to boarding. There aren’t many
people in the country yet to have achieved this,
and so we are delighted that they, and the great
work they and their teams do, have been
acknowledged in this way.”
Flexi-Boarding increasingly
popular with families
The
national
rise
in
popularity
of
“flexi-boarding” is being reflected at
Pocklington School, as more pupils take
advantage of the benefits of staying at school
one or more nights every week.
The Independent Schools Council annual
census found the proportion of weekly and
flexi-boarders rose from 15.7% in 2016 to 17.9%
today, and we have also seen a steady increase.
Pupils and parents say the benefits include the
discipline that supervised prep study brings, the
ability to relax and enjoy the school facilities with
friends, the role boarding plays in building
children’s confidence and independence, and
relieving time pressure on busy working families.
Alexandra Dariescu and
Martin Kettlewell (Head of Music)
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