Boarding Options
At Lord Wandsworth College, our Boarding Houses are where every pupil belongs, grows and thrives.
The College offers a full range of boarding and day options to further pupils’ development and support family life
Flexi Boarding
Flexi boarding offers the perfect balance between time at home and time at school. Pupils typically board for three nights per week, with the flexibility to choose which days suit them best, these usually remain consistent throughout the term.
This option is especially popular with local families. Friday nights are a particular highlight, featuring vibrant social events and a wide variety of activities. With over 130 clubs, societies and groups running each week, our after-school programme ensures that time spent boarding opens up a world of opportunity. Evenings in house also offer time to study, relax, practise instruments and enjoy house life. Pupils can often be found preparing for the next inter-house competition; singing, dancing or debating, to name just a few.
Weekly Boarding
Weekly boarding is a popular choice for families from London and the surrounding counties, including Berkshire, Surrey, and Sussex. Pupils usually board from Sunday evening through to Saturday afternoon, returning home after sports or activities. Alternatively, they may choose to go home on Friday evening and return on Monday morning, allowing for a fuller weekend at home.
Saturdays bring a vibrant atmosphere to campus, with a wide range of sporting fixtures and parents regularly onsite to support. Our coffee shop, Zanetas, is open throughout the day for visitors.
Weekly boarders benefit fully from the school’s extensive co-curricular programme, structured academic support and a strong, supportive community of peers and staff.
Full Boarding
Full boarding provides a fully immersive school experience. Pupils remain at school throughout the term, returning home during exeats and half-term holidays. This option is particularly well suited to international students and families in the armed forces.
For pupils who are unable to travel home during exeats, the College offers the opportunity to remain on site, ensuring continuity of care and a supportive environment at all times.
Weekends are a valued and enjoyable part of full boarding life. Following Saturday afternoon sport, the pace of the day naturally slows, with pupils coming together for a relaxed, family-style supper hosted within the houses, a wonderful opportunity to unwind and socialise. Sundays offer a gentler start, with time to rest and recharge, and a later brunch served in place of the usual weekday breakfast.
Alongside this, a varied programme of Sunday trips and activities is offered throughout the term, providing pupils with the chance to explore, try new experiences, and spend time together beyond the classroom.
Day Boarding
All day pupils are fully integrated into the life of the College through our day boarding model. Each pupil is a member of one of our eight boarding houses, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community from the very start.
Pupils begin each day with registration in their house and are welcome to return there during break times, providing a consistent and supportive base throughout the school day. Houseparents play a central role in each pupil’s experience, offering guidance, care, and a familiar point of contact within the wider school environment. After the school day, pupils return to their house for prep, where they are supported by staff in a structured and encouraging setting.
Day pupils are welcome to have breakfast and supper at no extra charge, and may stay on weeknights to be part of the exciting evening programme. This includes completing prep in a designated study space within the house, where prep tutors are on hand to supervise and encourage, with older pupils supporting, mentoring and working alongside younger housemates, fostering a strong sense of connection across year groups.
Bramley pupils may stay until 8.00pm, and those in the senior houses until 9.30pm. This is hugely supportive for family logistics and ensures that pupils who are not boarding can still feel fully part of school life.
Occasional Boarding
Occasional boarding offers added flexibility for day pupils, allowing them to stay overnight when needed. This can be particularly useful after evening events such as House socials or other key activities.
Places are subject to the availability of beds, ensuring that all pupils receive the same high standard of care and accommodation.
Occasional boarding is a perfect way for those who have not had previous boarding experience to develop their confidence with a view to flexi-boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many boarders and day pupils are at LWC?
60% of our community enjoy boarding life; either as a flexi, weekly or full boarder. All day pupils (40%) also belong to a House and can start their day with breakfast, end it with supper and stay at House until 9.30pm.
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What is a boarding school, and how does it work?
A boarding school is an educational institution where pupils live on campus during the academic term. At LWC’s expansive 1200-acre campus, students benefit from 24/7 access to learning, pastoral care and co-curricular opportunities, all within a supportive, ‘home away from home’ environment. What’s more, LWC offers a variety of boarding options so that pupils are able to flexi-board, to return home during weekends or holidays, depending on their chosen boarding type.
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What is flexi boarding?
Flexi boarding at LWC allows pupils to stay on campus for three, four, or five nights a week. This offers greater flexibility for families who want the structure of boarding with more time at home. Unlike weekly boarders, who typically stay through the week and return home at weekends, flexi boarders go home mid-week on their designated nights, depending on the arrangement agreed for the term. What’s more, LWC offers a variety of boarding options so that pupils are able to flexi-board, weekly board (returning home at the weekends) and full board (returning home during holiday periods) depending on their chosen boarding type.
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Is Lord Wandsworth College a independent boarding school?
Yes, LWC is a leading independent boarding school in the UK, offering an outstanding independent education alongside tailored boarding options, exceptional pastoral care and eight Houses where pupils live and learn on a 1200 acre campus.
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How close is Lord Wandsworth College to London?
LWC is just an hour from central London, with direct rail access from nearby Hook Station to London Waterloo. Heathrow Airport is approximately 50 minutes away, making us easily accessible for both UK and international families. If you’re exploring options for a boarding school London families can easily reach, LWC offers the ideal blend of countryside living and connectivity to the city.
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What boarding options are available?
Lord Wandsworth College offers a range of boarding options designed to suit different families, including full, weekly and flexi boarding. Our Admissions team would be happy to discuss which option might work best for your family.
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What are the advantages of attending a boarding school?
Boarding schools offer a unique blend of academic challenge, independence and personal development. Pupils benefit from small class sizes, expert teaching, enriched co-curricular programmes and a strong sense of community, helping them become confident, capable individuals.
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What kind of support is available in LWC boarding houses?
Each boarding house is led by a dedicated Houseparent, supported by Resident Tutors and Matrons. Together, they provide round-the-clock pastoral care, academic encouragement and a listening ear whenever it’s needed. Pupils also have personal tutors and access to medical and mental health support on campus. For those with exceptional talent and drive, scholarship opportunities are available across a range of disciplines.
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Can international students apply to Lord Wandsworth College?
Absolutely.
We regularly welcome pupils joining from overseas bases and from across the UK, and our community is well accustomed to helping new pupils settle quickly and feel part of the College. LWC welcomes international pupils from all over the world. Our admissions team provides guidance on assessments, interviews and visa requirements. Pupils are supported through orientation, boarding life and academic integration to help them thrive in a UK boarding school setting. Learn more about our application process here.
Life at LWC
Watch Film
“As a military family we have moved frequently, but LWC has given our children the stability and sense of belonging we were hoping for.”
Former Parent of two pupils at LWC
Find out more
Speak to our Admissions team today or arrange a visit to experience life at Lord Wandsworth College.
Contact us
60% of our community enjoy boarding life; either as a flexi, weekly or full boarder. All day pupils (40%) also belong to a House and can start their day with breakfast, end it with supper and stay at House until 9.30pm.
A boarding school is an educational institution where pupils live on campus during the academic term. At LWC’s expansive 1200-acre campus, students benefit from 24/7 access to learning, pastoral care and co-curricular opportunities, all within a supportive, ‘home away from home’ environment. What’s more, LWC offers a variety of boarding options so that pupils are able to flexi-board, to return home during weekends or holidays, depending on their chosen boarding type.
Flexi boarding at LWC allows pupils to stay on campus for three, four, or five nights a week. This offers greater flexibility for families who want the structure of boarding with more time at home. Unlike weekly boarders, who typically stay through the week and return home at weekends, flexi boarders go home mid-week on their designated nights, depending on the arrangement agreed for the term. What’s more, LWC offers a variety of boarding options so that pupils are able to flexi-board, weekly board (returning home at the weekends) and full board (returning home during holiday periods) depending on their chosen boarding type.
LWC is just an hour from central London, with direct rail access from nearby Hook Station to London Waterloo. Heathrow Airport is approximately 50 minutes away, making us easily accessible for both UK and international families. If you’re exploring options for a boarding school London families can easily reach, LWC offers the ideal blend of countryside living and connectivity to the city.
Boarding schools offer a unique blend of academic challenge, independence and personal development. Pupils benefit from small class sizes, expert teaching, enriched co-curricular programmes and a strong sense of community, helping them become confident, capable individuals.
Each boarding house is led by a dedicated Houseparent, supported by Resident Tutors and Matrons. Together, they provide round-the-clock pastoral care, academic encouragement and a listening ear whenever it’s needed. Pupils also have personal tutors and access to medical and mental health support on campus. For those with exceptional talent and drive, scholarship opportunities are available across a range of disciplines.
Absolutely.
We regularly welcome pupils joining from overseas bases and from across the UK, and our community is well accustomed to helping new pupils settle quickly and feel part of the College. LWC welcomes international pupils from all over the world. Our admissions team provides guidance on assessments, interviews and visa requirements. Pupils are supported through orientation, boarding life and academic integration to help them thrive in a UK boarding school setting. Learn more about our application process here.Life at LWC
Watch Film
“As a military family we have moved frequently, but LWC has given our children the stability and sense of belonging we were hoping for.”
Former Parent of two pupils at LWC
Find out more
Speak to our Admissions team today or arrange a visit to experience life at Lord Wandsworth College.
Contact us