Meet our Head of Boarding Lisa Bradbury and discover her view of boarding.

My name is Lisa Bradbury and I am Head of Boarding at Westonbirt School. I have worked in education settings for over 25 years, with my previous schools including St Peters, York and Kingwood School, Bath. I have been Head of Boarding here at Westonbirt for the past eight years, as well as teaching Art. I live onsite with my family and feel very fortunate to be part of the boarding community and incredible school experience that we offer here at Westonbirt.

We have many boarders here from all over the world, who hold an array of passports, although the majority are from the UK. Our boarders can join us in Years 7 to 13, and we have five boarding houses: Badminton (a junior boys house for Years 7-10), Dorchester ( a girls house for Years 7-11), Gloucester (our Year 12 girls house), Beaufort (a senior boys house for Years 11-12) and Holford. The latter is a new co-ed Year 13 boarding house which is based a few miles away, that opened last September in order to prepare students more effectively for university living or their future lifestyles.

We have a thriving boarding community and create a homely experience for all of our boarders. The fantastic mix of nationalities and cultural backgrounds makes the Westonbirt boarding experience so special, and ideal preparation for life outside of School. Houses vary in character, composition and location, but they all share the central ethos of the School. At Westonbirt, our School prides itself on our ethos, which states that “we consider ourselves to be a ‘greenhouse, not a hothouse’, delivering exceptional pastoral care in an inspiring, rural setting”. Our team of dedicated staff, whether they be teachers or residential house parents, help our pupils to achieve their potential, and are always on hand to offer assistance, guidance, encouragement and support, or simply a friendly ear.

At Westonbirt we offer an inclusive environment for students to grow as individuals, but also one where they feel nurtured and safe. Our pupils are encouraged to work hard, but also to enjoy a balanced lifestyle, with the opportunity to discover and develop holistically and ignite new experiences. Older pupils are encouraged to develop their own independence, taking responsibility for their studies and making informed decisions and choices for themselves, all within the foundation of the boarding house and School. We offer an array of evening activities such as, baking, use of the onsite gym, and weekend trips such as shopping trips or excursions to see part of the local cultural heritage such as Bath and Oxford, and more thrill-seeking adventures such as Ninja Warrior or paintballing.

The decision to send your child to boarding school is one to be carefully considered. I truly believe that Westonbirt provides a safe, nurturing but exciting experience for all of our pupils – day or boarding. We offer a range of boarding options to suit the needs of today’s busy families, including full, weekly, and a three-day flexible option. We would be delighted to welcome you for a visit and a tour to find out more.