ALL ABOUT BOARDING

A Warm Welcome

Lockers Park’s preparatory school is one of ambition and excellence that has been educating boys to the highest standard for over 145 years. A day and boarding school for boys aged 7-13, Lockers Park provides an education that blends a traditional prep school environment with a progressive, forward-thinking approach. Nestled in 23 acres of beautiful woodland, the school is ideally situated in the heart of Hertfordshire, within 30 minutes of central London by train and close to London airports including Heathrow and Luton.

We embrace the individual at Lockers Park, encouraging academic excellence alongside developing a suite of additional interests and skills: from sport and music to drama and art. We believe this approach delivers a richer school life for all pupils.

The school holds an enviable reputation for sending boys to leading senior schools such as Bedford, Eton, Harrow, Haileybury and Rugby, with many pupils winning awards and scholarships.

Originally founded as a boarding prep school, we are proud of our boarding heritage and believe the opportunities boarding offers to pupils are plentiful. Learning to live away from home teaches boys resilience and independence, a spirit of tolerance and an understanding of others.

Boarding at Lockers Park is perfect preparation for senior boarding schools. For boys moving on to senior day schools, we believe there is still much to be learnt from this special experience.

“Enthusiasm for boarding life is strong and pupils’ enjoyment of the opportunities on offer to them in the boarding house is clear.” The Independent Schools Inspectorate

Boarding allows pupils to make the most of all Lockers Park has to offer. Boarding life is fun and attractive to pupils, and we often find it is the boys themselves who ask to board. We pride ourselves on the strong sense of community, family atmosphere and excellent pastoral care.

A key benefit of boarding is that pupils are given structured time for prep (homework) every evening in a quiet, mutually supportive environment. Making good and focussed use of after school time means that children can enjoy downtime together afterwards, while taking advantage of a broad range of evening activities. We believe these opportunities foster healthy habits, teaching children to work together, apply themselves, as well as being an important outlet for expression.

The school works to support pupils’ emotional and mental well-being just as much as their academic prowess. Our team of staff are always on hand with endless good humour and energy, ready to lend an ear and help where necessary.

We understand the needs of modern family life. Commuting to and from school (and work) each day can be stressful; removing travel from the equation can help. That’s why we offer a variety of boarding packages (that can even be booked at short notice) for families to choose from.

“Our boys really enjoy the boarding experience and the chance to mix with boys outside of class.” Parent Testimonial

?Why Board at Lockers Park

Boarding at Lockers Park is a hugely enjoyable experience. Boys can be themselves in familiar surroundings and make the most of the many benefits that boarding allows.

Recognising the boundless energy of boys, there is always a plethora of non-academic organised activities - both on and off site. Recent activities have included ten pin bowling, adventure golf, pizza making, BBQs and trips to museums, sporting events and theme parks. Taking advantage of Hemel Hempstead’s Snow Centre close proximity, we have a thriving Ski Club. We also run our own Cub pack and Scout troop and many day boys who participate in these activities choose to board afterwards.

Meal times at Lockers Park are an important opportunity to join together and share each other’s company, as well as enjoy a nutritious meal. We understand the insatiable appetites of growing boys and our in-house catering team provides three tasty cooked meals a day, plus healthy homemade snacks mid-morning and afternoon.

In free time, boys may be found playing table tennis and pool, enjoying games organised by staff in the Sports Hall or simply relaxing with a book. The school’s beautiful grounds are well used by boarders who let off steam playing hide & seek and building camps. In the summer months, popular pursuits include swimming in the outdoor heated pool and playing mini golf.

We have recently replaced compulsory Saturday morning school with an optional programme running from 9.00am until 12.30pm. For weekend boarders, this programme is designed to support senior school preparation around core subjects and also comprises team building, creative writing and problem-solving exercises. For overseas boarders, these sessions are an opportunity to participate in EAL lessons to further their proficiency and fluency as required.

Activities & Enrichment

No two days are the same at Lockers Park: the outline below is designed to give a flavour of what life as a boarder is all about.* We believe the structure of the boarding day is enormously beneficial in focusing the boys’ academic efforts and helping fulfil their potential.

07.00 Alarm goes off. Get ready for school

07.30 A traditional cooked breakfast

08.20 Tutor time

08.30 Chapel or Assembly

08.45 Morning lessons

10.45 Break

11.25 Morning lessons continue

13.00 Lunch

13.45 Reading period (including time for music ensembles)

14.20 Afternoon lessons

15.20 Games & activities

17.30 Prep (structured independent learning)

18.00 Supper

18.30 After school clubs and free time

21.00 Lights out

*A typical Year 7 boarder’s day.

Boarding options

Lockers Park offers a wide range of boarding choices to suit each family’s needs, including Full Boarding, Weekly Boarding or Flexi-Boarding. We also offer free trial boarding to those who want to sample boarding first hand. A steady stream of Theme Nights, Film Nights and the legendary Dark Tower game make boarding an attractive proposition for all pupils.

Starting with just one or two nights and gradually building up to Weekly or Full Boarding provides boys with valuable boarding experience in familiar, friendly surroundings. This can be enormously helpful for pupils who are likely to progress on to senior boarding schools.

A Typical Day

Looking After Our Boarders

We are a small and family orientated school and pride ourselves on providing a warm, supportive environment. Here, life is busy and the boys are safe and happy.

Our dormitories are cheerful, homely places and boys bring their own bedding, photographs and posters to personalise their areas. A well-equipped Boarders’ Common Room provides a relaxed, calm environment to watch TV, chat and play games.

Excellent pastoral care is the backbone of our offering. Our Head of Boarding lives at Lockers Park with his family, working closely with the other boarding staff and the Matrons, who also reside in the Boarding House. This 24/7 team is available to provide the care, comfort and support that is vital for the boys’ well-being and success. There is always someone on hand to chat, to listen, and to laugh with. The team is supported by a School Doctor, a School Nurse plus a Counsellor and Independent Listener too.

We encourage regular contact with parents to ensure the optimum academic progress and personal development for each and every one of our boarders. We are committed to working closely with both parents and boys to establish effective, open communications and maintain mutual trust. Alongside a pupil’s Class Teacher, boarders are under the care of a Housemaster who will continuously monitor their progress. Housemasters and the Head of Boarding can be contacted via email or telephone and ensure the overall well-being of each boarder.

“It’s brilliant here. I love being with my friends. Lockers Park provides a lot of different activities to do each weekend, which are all really enjoyable.” Year 7 Boarder

Supporting Overseas Boarders

We are proud of our international character; we have long welcomed pupils from around the globe and we greatly value the richness and diversity that they bring to our community. Understanding and appreciating the differences of others is a central tenet of Lockers Park’s ethos.

As boarding has been at the heart of the school since its inception, we understand the complexities of educating children a long way from home. Home may be thousands of miles away and it may be the first time a child has lived away from their family. We offer a step-by-step induction programme, which is supported by existing fellow boarders to ensure a new pupil quickly familiarises themselves with the boarding routine.

Each boarder’s individual academic and extra-curricular programmes are sensitively co-ordinated to ensure they settle in as smoothly as possible. One-to-one English language tuition is provided to accelerate proficiency and fluency. These lessons are now available as part of our new-look Saturday morning sessions, thus minimising the impact of missing key subject lessons during the core school week.

The combined support of the Housemaster, Class Teacher and wider school community is invaluable in helping boarders make the most of their time at Lockers Park, and to develop and flourish as individuals. An inclusive atmosphere and strong community spirit are ever-present; the boys support, respect and learn from each other.

**Boys living overseas must have an appointed guardian in the UK. This is the parent’s responsibility to arrange, although we can help with the names of reputable Guardianship Agencies.**

“Our son was made to feel very welcome and has thrived, progressing both in the classroom and on the playing field. He couldn’t be happier.” Overseas Parent

LOCKERS PARK SCHOOLLOCKERS PARK LANE | HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

HERTFORDSHIRE | HP11TL

E: SECRETARY@LOCKERSPARK.HERTS.SCH.UK

T: +44 (0)1442 251712

www.lockerspark.herts.sch.uk

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“Boarding at Lockers Park provides a wonderful opportunity for pupils to combine a fi rst class education with a diverse range of extra-curricular opportunities and weekend fun. Our vibrant, energetic community is an extended family; a space in which pupils can be themselves and fl ourish.”

Headmaster Christopher Wilson

BOARDING AT LOCKERS PARK

• Full-time academic support

• Warm, inclusive family atmosphere

• Wide variety of organised activities

• Building long-lasting friendships

• Fulfi lling your child’s potential