Accommodation FAQs

How many students board in the Sixth Form?

Around half of our Sixth Form students are boarders - that is around 95 - 100 students each year.

Is weekly boarding an option?

Though the great majority opt for full boarding, the option of weekly boarding is available for those who wish it.

How are decisions made about where a particular student will live?

It goes without saying that boarding arrangements will have a considerable bearing on a student’s experience of life at d’Overbroeck’s and on their academic success. It is important, therefore, that accommodation decisions should be the result of informed choice. Prospective students and parents are always invited to meet Felisa or Rebecca, who run the College’s Accommodation Office, when they come to visit the College. This is an opportunity for us to present the choices to you in detail and to answer your questions; it also gives us the chance to get to know the student and to develop an understanding of what his or her needs or desiderata may be before making suggestions about the best way of meeting them. We will usually present a number of choices, the final decision resting, as far as practically possible, with students and parents.

What facilities are provided in student accommodation?

College boarding houses offer fully equipped single study-bedrooms with Broadband Internet access, a common room/dining room, washing and drying facilities and, with the exception of The Bakehouse which is self-catering, breakfast and evening meal are provided seven days a week during term-time. Bedding is provided and laundered once a week. Students who would prefer to bring their own bedding are welcome to do so, but they will need to take responsibility for laundering it themselves.

In host family accommodation students will have a single, fully equipped study-bedroom with clothes washing facilities (some host families will do this for you others will ask you to do your own using the facilities provided). Breakfast and evening meal are provided (obviously except where the accommodation is self-catering). Bedding is provided although students may take their own if they wish to. Internet access is available in some rooms. Some host families also offer additional facilities such as an en-suite bathroom or a piano that a student may have access to on a daily basis, etc.

What are the ages of the students in the College boarding houses?

106: 16-17 Hayfield House: 16 -17 The Bakehouse and Bensons House: 16 - 19

What are the rules in the boarding houses?

We run our boarding houses in a way that reflects the fact that this is a Sixth Form environment. House rules are designed to ensure that the houses run smoothly and safely and that they provide a warm and homely environment in which students are able to live and work happily and comfortably. Do ask the Accommodation Office for a copy of the house rules if you would like to see them.

How far is the accommodation from the College's teaching buildings?

All of our accommodation is pretty close to our teaching buildings. Students should expect around a 5 to 10 minute walk or a short bus ride (or cycle ride for those who prefer to cycle).

In the case of host family accommodation, how many students live with each family?

It varies between 1 and 4 students per family. Some students prefer to be the only one with a family while others prefer to live in a house with other students. This is a question that we always discuss with prospective students and parents at our initial meeting, and we will try to accommodate your preference wherever possible.

Is self-catering an option?

Yes. We have a small number of requests each year from students who would prefer to prepare their own meals. A few self-catering options are available with host families; and The Bakehouse, one of our boarding houses (see above), is a self-catering house. Please note, though, that self-catering with a host family is usually reserved for students who are over the age of 18 and therefore usually in the second year of the Sixth Form.

Do students have single or shared rooms?

We have one boarding house, 106, which has twin en-suite rooms. All of our other students, in boarding house and host families, are accommodated in single rooms.

Are students allowed to arrange their own accommodation?

Experience suggests that this is not a good idea and we do not normally allow it. Exceptionally, and where parents wish to propose an alternative arrangement which offers a sufficient level of adult supervision and support for the student, then this may be considered. Such requests must be discussed with the Principal whose approval would be needed in all cases.