New boarding school director visits Steyning

The new Director’s key mission is to promote boarding, and provide support and training to boarding schools in the UK. Mr Fletcher is keen to meet as many boarding schools as possible and to meet as many staff as possible with a traditional ‘boots on the ground’ approach. Mr Fletcher said: “It’s clear to me that the Boarding Schools Association, working with its member boarding schools, performs a very valuable role and I am keen to see how we can develop our services further over the next few years.”

Steyning Grammar School is a unique, successful and dynamic learning community. The schools ‘Journey to Excellence’ is built on traditions of excellence and highest expectations, combined with a commitment to innovation and new thinking and to support our students in being the best they can be in preparation for their exciting futures.

Mr Nick Wergan, Headteacher, Steyning Grammar School said: “We are delighted that Mr Fletcher was able to visit us so early in his new role, and we look forward to evolving further our strong working relationship with the BSA who were instrumental in supporting the expansion of Boarding provision with our Sixth Form Boarding House which opened in 2010.”

Boarding is a popular option for both parents and students in the UK, at Steyning Grammar School we take boarders from Years 9-13 on a weekly or full time boarding basis. Our 120 boarding places attract boarders from the UK and around the world. As the only State Boarding School in West Sussex we are able to offer a really affordable boarding option, with no tuition fees. Steyning Grammar School celebrates its 400th year of excellence in both boarding and day school provision this year.

Steyning Grammar School is a place where students are happy, engaged and keen to learn. Here teachers are passionate about learning and ensuring students reach their full potential, living up to the schools motto ‘Every Person The Best They Can Be’. The school has consistently good results, with boarding students achieving excellent grades at GCSE and A Level.

The school is set in a beautiful rural location and is the ideal studying environment away from the distractions of modern cities. There is a real sense of family amongst the boarders across the age ranges and nationalities. A committed team of house-parents live in each boarding house providing a strong support network; it really is a ‘home away from home’. A wide range of facilities are available with access to a sports hall, squash courts, swimming pool, playing fields, tennis courts including floodlit all weather pitches. A diverse range of activities, events and organised trips are provided to make boarders’ experience both unique and memorable.

Young people enjoy the ‘half-way house’ between home and higher or further independent education. At Steyning we have a very successful Sixth Form College, we offer over 32 different A Level subjects, including traditional and vocational courses together with BTEC National programmes.

Newly appointed Director of Boarding Miss Danielle Cook was delighted to have the opportunity to introduce Mr Fletcher to the boarding members of the Steyning family and all those who have the pleasure of working to support and guide these dynamic and enthusiastic learners.

To mark this special visit Mr Fletcher was invited to plant an Egremont Russet apple tree within the grounds of Boarding. This tree was the first to be planted as part of a ‘Boarding Orchard’ organised through the BSA. Steyning Grammar School will be the first contribution to what is hoped will be over 500 trees forming the UK’s largest orchard by distance from other BSA member school’s, as each plant a tree for the orchard. Sister BSA schools worldwide will also be encouraged to join the ‘Boarding Orchard’ scheme.

Steyning Grammar School has excellent links to Brighton, Gatwick and London, offering an ideal studying and boarding destination for students from the surrounding areas and beyond.

For further details on the Steyning Grammar School, the Boarding Opportunities, curriculum and prospectus please visit our website on www.sgs.uk.net or call our Boarding Team on 01903 817601to arrange a visit.

Report and picture contributed by Steyning Grammar School.