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Date Posted: 23rd November
Categories: Boarding School
We are delighted to introduce Ben Mason as the new Head of Prep Boarding at Wycliffe boarding school.
Ben comes to us with a wealth of experience, and we are confident that he will nurture our Prep boarding students to become brilliant global citizens. We asked Ben a few questions about himself and what led him to his role at our boarding school.
I was born and raised locally into a family of teachers. My dad was even a boarding school house parent, which has influenced my choice of career as I have only worked in UK boarding schools and boarding schools abroad in China.
I am excited that Wycliffe is my first ‘Head of Boarding’ role.
Our pupils come from quite diverse backgrounds, countries and cultures. It has been great getting to know them and understanding the routine of the House at our boarding school.
Every day is different, and there is always something to keep you busy.
So that Wycliffe is the best boarding school possible, we create and foster a mini community within Prep boarding and encourage our boarders to hold mutual respect and support each other. It is particularly rewarding seeing the Year 7 and 8 pupils helping the younger children.
At Wycliffe, we individualise care for each boarder as every child’s circumstance is unique. We aim to offer them opportunities and guide them to step outside their comfort zone.
We believe the best boarding schools offer a welcoming and community-based atmosphere, so we have spent a lot of time redecorating the boarding house to make it feel cosier and more welcoming.
In fact, in the first hour of this year, we encouraged all boarding students to personalise their bedroom space and make it their own. In the evenings after school, the Boarding Team spend time getting to know the children for who they are and offer lots of amazing fun activities for them to do together.
It is important that parents feel a part of their children’s lives, so we keep them up to date with weekly newsletters of what the boarders have been getting up to.
During every weekend trip, we make and send a short video and regularly update the Prep Boarding Instagram account with the boarders’ antics and activities. Parents are also sent messages and emails with personal updates on their own children.
Like all independent boarding schools, we treat this as a collaborative approach.
As teachers, we feel we have great ideas for trips and activities, but really it comes down to what the boarding school pupils want to do. Therefore, we’ve sat down as a group, and between us all, we have produced a programme of the extracurricular activities for the year that builds in fun, team building and the odd educational trip.
As ‘Head of Boarding,’ I am the boarders’ chief advocate and champion them at every opportunity.
I keep the boarding school pupils in mind when discussing everyday school events with the Senior Management Team. Lauren Oliver (Girls Boarding Housemistress) and I are their parents in this situation, and it’s our responsibility to help boarding school students fully integrate into school life and ensure that they have everything they need for the term ahead (as many of our boarders will only go home for half term).
In terms of the forward path for boarding for the whole Prep School, I believe in strengthening the positive co-education boarding environment we have at Wycliffe, rather than a singular ‘boys’ and ’girls’ approach to boarding school. I would also like to see a more collaborative approach to boarding from all members of the school.
If you are thinking about sending your child to boarding school, visit us at Wycliffe. Wycliffe is located in the picturesque Cotswolds, our boarding school provides exemplary education and care for children aged 7 to 19. Our prep boarding school offers boarding for years 3-8 and we have day and boarding houses available for our students in years 9-13.
Our boarding options include day, full, and flexible boarding, which allows students to have a well-rounded education whilst being cared for in our exemplary facilities. On campus, we have a modern gymnasium, Astro Turf pitch, swimming pool and a state-of-the-art theatre.
Our goal is to provide our boarding school children with the perfect amalgamation of community, culture and tailored care, so that they can thrive and become excellent global citizens. Find out more about Wycliffe college, such as where we are based, our purpose, inspection reports and more.
Visit our boarding school and explore what our excellent school has to offer! Our Admission Managers would be glad to show you around our Prep School and Senior School campuses, or you could visit us during one of our many open events.
Alternatively, contact us to discuss your needs and ask us any questions you have about our boarding school.
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