Box Hill School | Guardianship & Free School Placement
An Independent Co-educational Boarding and Day School for ages 11 to 18, 418+ pupils, County of Surrey, South East of England, UK
At Box Hill School, all students reach their maximum potential. They are encouraged, nurtured and challenged in all they do. School administration and staff believes that a strong academic tradition, combined with outstanding pastoral guidance, produces well adjusted young people, ready to greet the world with energy and enthusiasm. The School offers a range of benefits including an extensive choice of activities and expeditions, the IB programme in the Sixth Form and optional after-school prep. Set in 40 acres, the school is situated in the heart of Mickleham Village, surrounded by the Surrey countryside, but close to major road, rail and air links and only 40 minutes from central London. Under normal circumstances, the school administration would like to meet prospective pupils and their parents or guardians, either at one of many open days or at a pre-arranged interview with senior members of staff. Pupils are not selected on academic achievements alone although are asked to sit a Maths and English test and supply two, most recent, school reports from their current school to help with assessment. For overseas students, the school can arrange for the tests to be taken under supervision without you having to come to the school, although face to face is still preferred option.
Box Hill School is a proud founder member of the Round Square - a world-wide association of more than 60 schools on five continents sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round Square schools make a commitment to strive not only for academic excellence, but for personal development and individual responsibility. They achieve these goals by participating in community service, exchange programmes and adventuring, which can, and often does, take them half way around the world.
Box Hill has a strong educational, artistic and sporting tradition, derived from a broad curriculum that delivers amazing results. However, what makes Box Hill School stand out is that it discovers and nurture the talents and abilities of every student, so that they all achieve their potential – and this can be in so many ways: in the classroom, on the sports field or through interactions with other students. Box Hill also provides strong pastoral support for each pupil, with every child being assigned to a House, complete with Houseparent, common room and kitchen. Each pupil is assigned to a personal tutor within their house – a member of teaching staff who supports their academic and pastoral development. The quality of relationships between staff and pupils and among pupils is excellent. Well-developed relationships prevail throughout the school and mutual respect, between teachers and pupils and among the pupils themselves, is clearly evident. Pupils respond extremely well to the school’s encouragement to care for and show respect to others.
There are fantastic opportunities for personal development on the many expeditions School offers and for artistic expression through Art and Drama activities. Administration believes that activities outside the classroom form an important part of education, and all students take part in weekly and termly activities. As well as this regular programme, junior years take part in expeditions around the UK twice a year, and Years 10 and above carry out an overseas expedition each summer term. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in Round Square expeditions, carrying out community based activities in locations such as Peru, South Africa and India. Additionally, the school organises Round Square exchanges where Years 7 and 8 students travel to European destinations such as France and Germany, and Year 9 and above students spend up to 8 weeks in South Africa, Australia, America, Canada, India or Peru, studying and working at one of our sister schools. Whatever is right for each student, these experiences, together with great pastoral care and personal attention, ensure that each student will excel.
Boarding Experience
All the Houses at Box Hill School are small and friendly so that students never feel lost or overlooked and different age groups are able to meet and mix. First time Boarders are reassured by the family structure of all Houses and find them easy to settle into. To strengthen the bond between students even further, Houses become teams for school-wide competitions. Social and academic life meet in each House with House Tutors ensuring that students stay focused academically and offering quick, effective intervention if things start to slide. Full time Boarders enjoy a variety of outings at the weekend, paintballing and ice skating proving particularly popular. Student friendships and loyalties strengthen over the years of living, playing and studying together.
Activities
At Box Hill School we constantly strive to produce well-rounded young people, capable of communicating with confidence in an adult world. With this in mind, activities focus on encouraging teamwork, developing skills and interests, helping to develop an empathy with an interest in the outdoors and providing opportunities in both team and individual sports and activities. Being outside the classroom is an important part of education. Most afternoons have a compulsory time set aside for activities, and there is an amazing variety of options available. One week’s choice of activities can include: swimming, tennis, climbing, rocket club, photography, art, drama, music, debating, public speaking and many more. The school also has its own Fire Service, complete with a fire engine as well as all of the standard equipment.
IB Diploma
"In September 2008, Box Hill School joined the prestigious and world renowned group of schools that embrace the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The IB is not only internationally respected, but is seen by UK Universities as better preparation based upon independent learning. Universities report a high retention rate and high employment rate for IB students and clearly value the excellent preparation the programme gives. The UCAS point system awarded for IB students from 2008 is very generous as it supports and recognises the strengths of an all round education, something that Box Hill School has valued and promoted throughout its history. The IB is a natural progression for Box Hill and suits our educational philosophy." Mark Eagers, Headmaster
The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education, with final examinations that prepare students, normally aged 16 to 18, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. The IB Diploma is itself a positive attitude to learning; encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn. Like the International Baccalaureate Organisation, Box Hill School encourages exploration and community service as well as academic achievement, so that the students get the most from their time with us.
Location
The School is within easy reach to London and both Heathrow & Gatwick Airports. By Air: the M25 serves Heathrow & Gatwick, both of which are easily reached within 40 minutes drive from the school. Direct trains leave London Victoria & London Waterloo every 30 minutes to Leatherhead Station and take approximately 50 minutes. Taxis are available at the station (journey from station to Box Hill School is 10 minutes by car).
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