Our Boarding
Boarding at Highfield is one of the most valued and distinctive parts of school life. It is always completely optional, but for many families it becomes one of the most rewarding choices they make. Our flexible, contemporary boarding provision is designed to suit modern family life, without diluting the strong sense of community and care that boarding here is built on.
We offer genuine full boarding alongside weekly and flexi options, and roughly a third of our boarders choose each. Families who want a proper full boarding option have increasingly fewer places to find that locally, particularly at prep school age. At Highfield, full boarding remains a real, well-established choice.
Our boarding numbers grow steadily through the year, typically starting around 80 in September and reaching close to 130 by the summer term, as more families discover what boarding offers once they try it.
Around 80% of our boarders are British, with the remainder from overseas. That balance matters to us. It means Highfield feels like a genuinely British boarding school, the experience many of our families are specifically choosing, while still being a place where children from different countries are a valued part of everyday life.
Parents consistently tell us boarding is one of the greatest strengths of a Highfield education. They value it as a gentle, supportive bridge between home and senior school, helping children grow in confidence, independence and resilience while remaining close to a familiar community. Children tell us something a little different, but just as powerful, they talk about friendship, fun and laughter.
Living in one big family surrounded by all your favourite people to have one massive sleepover every night.
Boarder
The approach to boarding is excellent and there’s a great balance of freedom and guidance.
Available from Year 4 to Year 8, full boarding gives children the complete week, including Saturday and Sunday nights, and full immersion in the boarding community. About a third of our boarders choose this option, drawing on a rich programme of evening and weekend activities and the deeper friendships that come from being together for longer.
Available from Year 3 to Year 8, and chosen by around a third of our boarders, weekly boarding means arriving Monday morning and returning home Saturday, spending the school week fully immersed in the life of the boarding house. Weekly boarding gives children the rhythm of boarding life, while still keeping weekends at home for family time.
Flexi boarding is a gentle and flexible introduction to boarding, allowing children to enjoy the benefits of being part of the boarding community while fitting around family life and outside commitments. It is ideal for children who are ready for a regular routine but who still need flexibility.
- Years 3–6: minimum one night per week
- Years 7-8: minimum two nights per week
Families choose set nights termly, helping children settle into a routine and feel secure in the house. This is where our third group of boarders sit, and where many full and weekly boarders started out.
Trying boarding should feel exciting rather than daunting. That is why we offer trial nights, giving children the opportunity to experience boarding in a relaxed way before making a longer-term commitment. Often, one night is all it takes for a child to realise how much they enjoy it.
Where is Highfield Boarding School located?
Highfield School is an independent school set within 175 acres in the South Downs National Park, on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, offering boarding and day places for Prep-age children.
Do you have a catchment area?
We don’t have a fixed catchment area. Families choose Highfield from across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, including Liphook, Haslemere, Hindhead, Midhurst, Godalming, Petworth, Petersfield, Farnham and Alton. We also welcome families from London as well as international boarders from countries such as Spain, France and China.
Is boarding compulsory at Highfield School?
No. Boarding at Highfield is always completely optional, with day, weekly and flexi options available alongside full boarding, so families can choose whatever suits them. That said, if your child is likely to move on to a senior school with boarding, we’d recommend trying boarding at Highfield first, as it gives them a gentle, familiar introduction before making that transition.
What boarding options does Highfield offer?
Highfield offers full boarding, weekly boarding and flexi boarding, with roughly a third of boarders choosing each option, plus trial nights for children who want to experience boarding before committing.
What age can my child start boarding at Highfield?
Full boarding is available from Year 4 to Year 8, while weekly and flexi boarding are available from Year 3 to Year 8, with flexi boarders in Years 3–6 boarding a minimum of one night a week and those in Years 7–8 a minimum of two nights a week.
How many children board at Highfield?
Boarding numbers grow through the year, typically starting around 80 children in September and reaching close to 130 by the summer term.
Does my child get their own bed and space when boarding?
Yes. Highfield does not hot-bed, so every boarder has their own bed and personal space regardless of how many nights they board, and dorms are structured so each child shares with at least one chosen friend.
What happens at weekends for boarders?
All children in Year 5 and above attend school on Saturday morning for academic extension lessons, followed by sports fixtures in the afternoon. Sundays offer a relaxed pace with on-site or off-site activities, and exeat weekends are held throughout the year for full boarders to go home.
How many exeat weekends are there each term?
There are four exeat weekends in the autumn term, two before and two after half term, and the same pattern in the spring term, while the summer term has one exeat weekend after half term.
I do not live locally, what are my options?
Families who live more than 20 miles away from the school often choose to weekly or full board at Highfield School. We offer a chaperoned train service into London for those families who require it. Contact admissions to discuss your specific requirements.
What we’re up to…
Only a few more days until we welcome everyone back to Highfield! As we prepare to begin our next chapter as Highfield School, we’re also looking forward to opening our doors for our first Open Morning of the term. If you’re considering Highfield for your family, we’d love you to come and spend the morning with us. If you’re already part of our Highfield community and know someone who might love it here too, please spread the word and invite them along. 🔗Book your place via the link in our bio.
Ending the week on a high! We’re incredibly proud to be one of just five schools shortlisted in the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing category of the @talkeducation Awards for Innovation in Education 2026! 👏 To be recognised for something so central to who we are as a school, alongside others doing such important work in this area, is a wonderful honour. We’ll find out the result on Thursday 10 September, so until then, keep everything crossed for us. 🤞 Read more via the link in our bio. #HighfieldSchool #TalkEducation #TalkEducationAwards #PastoralCare #PupilWellbeing
We’re in The Times! @thetimes 🗞️ Our Head of Pre-Prep and Early Years, Georgie Hunter, shares her expertise in a thoughtful piece about helping August-born children thrive in Reception, with Highfield parent Olivia Watkins also offering her perspective as a mum. As Georgie explains, what matters most is seeing the individual child, rather than making assumptions based on their birthday. Read more via the link in our bio
We’re incredibly proud of our maths and sports teacher, @sumattingly, who has been representing South Africa at the Masters Hockey World Cup in Belgium! 🏑 Three World Cups and still loving the game she first played at school. Who better to inspire our next generation of hockey players here at Highfield? 🔗Read more about Su’s World Cup experience via the link in our bio.
And here it is… our new Highfield School logo. 🗝️💚 A new identity for the next chapter of our story, rooted in more than a century of Highfield history. At its heart are our familiar cross keys, a symbol that has been part of Highfield for generations, now enclosed within a circle to represent us coming together as one. One Story. One Purpose. One Highfield.
As we prepare to become Highfield School this September, we’ve been looking back at how our identity has evolved along the way. Our logo has taken a few different forms, but the cross keys have remained a familiar part of Highfield for generations. And that isn’t about to change. They’ll continue to be part of our story as we move forward. 🗝 Which of these logos do you remember from your Highfield days? Perhaps you still have one tucked away on an old school jumper, book or keepsake – we’d love to see your photos! As for our new Highfield logo… all will be revealed tomorrow! 👀
Our young chefs have been learning the art of sushi making at Holiday Cooking Club 🍣 From preparing their ingredients and spreading the stickiest rice to arranging their fillings and mastering that all-important roll, there’s quite a knack to getting it all just right! And of course, the best part at the end… getting to eat what you’ve made! Thank you @neishsophie for such a brilliant (and delicious!) day. ☺️ #IndependentSchool #HolidayClubs #SummerHoliday #YoungChefs #LifeSkills
If you haven’t already, go and listen to our Head, Suzannah Cryer on the @maverickschoolpodcast 🎙️ A brilliant conversation about the qualities our children will need in a rapidly changing world, and why keeping that joy of learning alive matters more than ever! #IndependentSchool #FutureofEducation #LifeSkills #EducationLeaders #FutureReady
There’s something rather lovely about seeing Highfield buzzing with activity during the holidays. 💙 Last week, it was our Super Sports Holiday Club bringing the energy, making the most of the grounds and facilities we’re so lucky to have at our school. It’s certainly making us excited to see Highfield full of life again in just a few weeks! 🏃♀️ #IndependentSchool #HolidayClubs #SuperSports #ActiveKids #SchoolHolidays
👀 We have some VERY exciting news to share! From September 2026, we will become Highfield School, bringing our whole school under one name and one identity. It marks an exciting moment in our story that stretches back to 1892. Highfield has evolved considerably over that time, while remaining proudly independent and in the same family for more than 120 years. Becoming Highfield School reflects who we are today: one school from Nursery through to Year 8, with one shared purpose and a commitment to knowing every child as an individual. Our history matters enormously to us, and while our name is changing, the things that make our school so special remain firmly at its heart. Keep an eye on our socials over the coming weeks as we share more of what’s to come! One Story. One Purpose. One Highfield. 🔗 Read the full story in our latest news via the link in our bio.
Today, our Old Highfieldians from the Class of 2023 receive their GCSE results, and we’re celebrating with them from afar. 💚 Reaching this milestone takes hard work and perseverance. It takes determination to keep going when things get tough and the courage to keep challenging yourself. We hope you’re proud not only of what you’ve achieved, but of everything you’ve put into getting here. As you look ahead to your next adventure, we hope a little bit of Highfield stays with you. Keep choosing kindness, have the courage to take on new challenges and most importantly, always be you. Congratulations, Class of 2023. Go and show the world what you can do! ✨ #GCSEresultsday #Classof2023 #OldHighfieldians #IndependentSchool #SchoolAlumni
There’s still time to book a place on our Crafting Holiday Club this summer! Join Hannah and Jo from @feltybee_crafts for a choice of two creative days, where children can experiment with different materials and learn new crafting techniques. 🦁 Roar and Explore Crafting Monday 24th August | Ages 7–13 🌸 Petals and Paws Crafting Tuesday 25th August | Ages 7–13 Book your child’s place via the link in our bio.
We’ve loved sharing the smiles, adventures and Rock and Pop fun from Highreach 2026 on our socials, but behind it all is a much bigger story… 🔗 Read more about the difference Highreach continues to make after nine incredible years at Highfield, via the link in our bio. #IndependentSchool #Highreach2026 #SchoolCommunity #PressRelease #Inclusion
We’re very excited to share that our Head, Suzannah Cryer, is the latest guest on the @maverickschoolpodcast 🎙️ Joining educator, author and podcast host Karl Pupé FRSA, Suzannah tackles some of the biggest questions facing education today, exploring the impact of AI and why preparing young people for their future is about so much more than exam results. At Highfield, we want to play an active part in shaping the future of education and we’re incredibly proud to see Suzannah sharing her thinking to help move these important conversations forward. 💚 Thank you, Karl, for such a brilliant and thought-provoking discussion. 🎧 Listen to the full episode via the links in our bio. #IndependentSchool #FutureOfEducation #Education #ArtificialIntelligence #EducationalLeadership
Once a Highfieldian, always a Highfieldian. 💚 We loved welcoming one of our former students, Platon, back for a trip down memory lane. Platon’s visit was a chance to show his parents around the school that holds so many memories for him, and revisit some of the places that were such a big part of growing up. He also bumped into a few familiar faces while he was here, catching up with staff and sharing memories from his time at Highfield. It’s not every day you get to hear the impact you’ve had on someone years later, so that was pretty special! However many years pass, there’ll always be a warm welcome waiting for our Highfieldians. ✨ #IndependentSchool #OldHighfieldian #Alumni #SchoolCommunity #Memories
Our holiday club golfers didn’t miss a beat yesterday – even in the heat! ⛳️ And when a shot wasn’t quite up to par? Back they went to try again. We loved seeing the determination to keep practising until they got the shot they were after. #IndependentSchool #175acres #GolfCourse #HolidayClub #Determination
An envelope opens. A screen refreshes. And for thousands of young people, a whole world of possibility sits on the other side. Today, on A-Level Results Day, we’re thinking especially of our Old Highfieldians from the Class of 2021, as they see the results of all the hard work that has brought them to this moment. Whatever path you take from here, we can’t wait to see what you do next. And remember, there is never only one route to where you want to go. ✨ #ALevelResultsDay #Classof2021 #SchoolAlumni #OldHighfieldians #FuturePossibilities
“Education is facing one of the most significant periods of change in a generation.” Earlier this year, our Raising the Future conference brought together voices from across education and beyond to explore how we better prepare young people for the world ahead. The resulting White Paper was shared with the Government, and now the @educationgovuk has responded. It’s encouraging to see many of the issues we raised reflected in the Government’s plans for curriculum reform, particularly around digital literacy and preparing young people for their futures. But we believe change needs to happen faster. 🔗 Full details in our press release – link in bio. Parents and educators… what does “future-ready” look like to you? 👇 #IndependentSchool #RaisingTheFutue #DepartmentforEducation #EducationReform #FutureSkills
Ready, set… jump! 🤸 It’s been an energetic two days at our Gymnastics Holiday Club, with lots of swinging from the bars, cartwheels and taking on the vault. The children have been testing what they can do for themselves, picking themselves up after the odd tumble and going straight back for another try. 🌟 #IndependentSchool #HolidayClubs #Gymnastics #YoungGymnasts
And that’s a wrap on Highreach 2026! 🎸 Our ninth Highreach holiday has officially come to an end, and this year’s Rock & Pop theme brought a whole lot of energy to Highfield. Of course, none of it would be possible without our incredible volunteers, who give so much to make Highreach the week that it is. A HUGE thank you to every one of you! Highreach 2026, you’ve been a blast. Same time next year? 🙌🏼 #HighfieldHighreachHoliday #SchoolCommunity #Highreach2026 #Volunteering
We’re incredibly lucky to have teachers who don’t just encourage our children to follow their passions, but lead by example too! A huge good luck to our very own @sumattingly, who is representing South Africa at the World Cup Masters Hockey Championships. 🏑 Su and the RSA team play their first match tonight. Let’s give Su a big Highfield and Brookham cheer in the comments 👏
The musical adventure continued at Highreach yesterday with an energetic drumming workshop! 🥁 Led by the sounds of the drums, the children proudly paraded a flag they had decorated earlier in the day before raising it. Then it was time to discover the power of rhythm as everyone joined in with the drummers, filling Highfield with lively music! 🎶 #HighfieldHighreachHolidays #MusicWorkshop #Drumming
