Boarding
Boarding
A Premier British Boarding Experience in the Heart of Sussex
At Greenfields School, boarding is more than just accommodation – it’s a dynamic, multicultural environment where students from across the globe come together to live, learn and thrive.
Why Choose Boarding at Greenfields?
As one of the best affordable British boarding schools, Greenfields offers a warm, inclusive, and structured home-away-from-home experience for students aged 11 to 18 (Years 7-13). Whether your child is from the UK or overseas, our boarding house supports academic growth, cultural exchange, and lifelong friendship.
Our co-educational boarding programme welcomes both UK and international students from countries across the world, creating a truly global community.
A Nurturing & Multinational Boarding Community
Boarders live on our beautiful 30-acre campus on the edge of the stunning Ashdown Forest, just 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport and under an hour from Central London. The boarding facilities are housed within our main building – segregated by gender – with boys and girls each having their own secure and comfortable wing.
Our experienced and caring boarding staff provide round-the-clock supervision and pastoral care, ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and valued.
Life in Boarding
Weekdays & Weekends
Boarders enjoy full access to the school’s indoor and outdoor facilities, including:
- Football pitches, tennis and basketball courts
- Table tennis, games lounge, and movie nights
- Kitchenettes for preparing personal meals or snacks
Weekend Activities & Excursions
Every weekend, full boarders can join organised excursions to destinations like London, Brighton, Oxford, and Cambridge, exploring historical landmarks, museums, theme parks, or cultural experiences.
Other regular weekend activities include:
- Trampolining, ice skating, swimming, cinema trips
- Visits to local leisure centres and shopping venues
- Outdoor pursuits such as cycling, horse-riding, sailing, and climbing – made possible by our forest-edge location
We tailor our activity programme to suit the needs and interests of our students, including those in professional training for sports, arts or other specialist fields.
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Skills That Last a Lifetime
Independence & Responsibility
Boarders learn key life skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and time management – building self-reliance and confidence along the way.
Teamwork & Community
Students are assigned weekly responsibilities within the boarding house, encouraging collaboration, discipline, and respect for others.
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Boarding Meals & Nutrition
All meals are prepared in-house, offering a choice of three nutritious hot or cold options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We cater to a variety of dietary needs including vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more. Students may also shop weekly for personal snacks using their allowance.
Boarding Options
We offer flexible boarding packages:
- Full Boarding – Includes weekends and full access to our activities and excursions
- Weekly Boarding – Students stay Monday to Friday, returning home for the weekend
Location & Accessibility
Greenfields is perfectly positioned:
- 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport
- 35 minutes to Brighton
- 50 minutes to London
- 1 hour from Heathrow Airport
This convenient locations makes us ideal for UK-based and international families alike.
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What Makes Greenfields One of the Best UK Boarding Schools?
- Warm, family-style atmosphere praised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
- Cultural diversity with students from all over the world
- Exceptional academic and pastoral support
- Scenic and spacious campus
- Strong student-parent communication
- Wide range of co-curricular opportunities
Boarding Frequently Asked Questions
Boarding fosters independence, responsibility, and social skills. Students become more confident and self-reliant, gaining skills that prepare them for university and beyond.
Our boarding staff are trained to handle homesickness with empathy and care. Our vibrant, inclusive environment helps students settle in quickly and feel at home.
Absolutely. Students have scheduled access to phones and internet to connect with family via calls, video chats, or messaging. Parents are also welcome to visit anytime
Students wear school uniforms during class hours. During boarding hours, they may wear casual clothes. Laundry facilities and assistance are provided, and younger students are supervised.
We provide Homework Clubs and quiet study areas within the boarding house. Supervisors offer help with assignments and ensure students keep up with their academic responsibilities.
Phones are not used during the school day. In the evenings and on weekends, boarders may use them with appropriate screen time and safety controls in place.
Boarders typically return home during school holidays. For short breaks, arrangements can be made for them to stay with guardians or friends in the UK.
We see boarding as a partnership between parents and the school and we are always happy to speak to parents about progress or any issues or concerns they may have. If the matter is boarding related, parents’ first point of contact is with the Head of Boarding via telephone, WhatsApp or email. In addition, each pupil will also have a class tutor allocated to them when they start the new school year who will have responsibility for their progress academically across the school year. Each tutor will introduce themselves to parents at the start of the academic term in September. You will also be sent a Parent Portal link where you can access your child’s progress.
Yes, they can. This is coordinated between you and the boarding staff as the school has its outings and has its schedule and therefore it does require some coordination. Some children have specialist sports that they partake in, we do our best to find clubs in the area that facilitate this.
You will be given a school calendar for the year and it will say the dates that boarders are supposed to arrive and leave. We kindly ask that you book flights on these days and no other days. The boarding staff are on hand to help organise transport to and from the airport.
Before your arrival, you will be provided with a list of items and equipment that your child will need to bring them.
Enrol for Greenfields Boarding
If you’re looking for a top-rated, affordable boarding school in the UK that offers excellent education, a mulitcultural community, and a warm family atmosphere, Greenfields is the right choice.
Contact us today to learn more or book a visit.