Cobham is the only one of our ACS International Schools to offer boarding facilities. What it's really like to live on campus? Hear from our House Parents and one of our boarders.
With 32 years' experience as house parents, Mr and Mrs Williams have provided essential pastoral care and home away from home reassurance to hundreds of ACS Cobham boarding students - and parents - from around the world. They talk about what makes boarding here such a great experience.
Boarding at ACS is special because we have a unique mix of students from all cultures and background. They mix in well together which provides a very positive atmosphere. Lynne deals with the pastoral elements and I provide the academic side. We work as a team.
As a community, it is a good blend. There are groups by nationality but it is one big family. Compared to other boarding schools where we have worked, we find it is a better family environment at ACS. Often the older students will help the younger students.
It is a home away from home for 32 weeks of the year for our students. Most of our students live abroad and therefore don’t know anyone when they arrive. It is a hurdle that you have to overcome but we do manage this successfully. Having their own personal areas and a family atmosphere is really important. Rather than having brothers and sisters the co-students are very much playing that role. When the new students arrive, there is a welcoming committee with welcome cards and information for the new students. We have a peer support system where students have been trained and they will often listen and help other students, which is a fantastic support.
If any students have any personal or academic issues, we are there to listen. There are counsellors and nurses on site as well if they need any further support. If there is an emergency in the night there is a phone that connects to us, and we are 30 seconds away. We meet as a team every evening at 6:45pm to discuss anything that is taking place with the students.
Our boarders' day student friends are encouraged to come to the boarding houses to visit their friends. At the weekend, they enjoy trips to the local area and experience other places further afield. It helps with the bonding when they go on the weekend trips and builds the team work and friendship groups.
Outside the classroom
There are a range of clubs our boarders can enjoy, including a weekly crafts club, swimming, 5-a-side football, volleyball and basketball in the evenings. We are lucky to have wonderful facilities and grounds that they can make the most of.
We recently introduced an enrichment programme, which is above and beyond what our typical students enjoy. On Saturday mornings, we have various clubs and activities which include music tutoring, science clubs and sports and study clubs, so our boarders are occupied throughout the weekend. They also have the opportunity to do community work which counts towards their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) hours and forms part of their IB programme. They always have ample time for rest on Sundays.
Ready for what comes next
I think we are a stepping stone for university. As with our day students, our boarders go to university open days and they have fantastic university college counsellors at ACS Cobham. By being a boarder, they already have a great grounding for university. They looked after themselves and have broken the ice with individuals and this gives them a sense of confidence. Some of our alumni come back from university to visit and show how much they are then prepared for university life. It is great that they can learn to cook and clean for themselves and know what to expect from uni life.
Elizaveta, 14, is from Russia and a Grade 9 boarder
The thing that I enjoy about boarding at ACS Cobham is the atmosphere in which everyone is ready to help you, all kids are friendly and kind to new people in school. It is my first year in ACS and I was surprised how much house parents and other people in the dorm want to help you get used to the new school.
I particularly enjoy studying at ACS are English, Math and Drama because I have very kind teachers and I always have fun during these classes. I joined extra-curricular activities this year like High School play. Also, I am doing piano lessons and on Fridays my friends and I dance in the Sports Centre.
The most important elements for me in the boarding house is the desire of others to help you. If you feel bad or you are sad you can always come to any staff in the dorm and talk about it. Being in ACS gives me an opportunity to make something new. I can easily connect with other kids.
At this early stage, I am very interested in acting and filmmaking. Also, I like social media and music. I want to work in the creative area, because I love making something new and sharing it with other people.
For me, the best elements of being part of ACS Cobham are the opportunity to live in another country, with people from all around the world. It is experience, which you will not get anywhere else.