Monkton shortlisted for Independent Boarding School of the Year

Monkton Combe School has been shortlisted for Boarding School of the Year in the Independent School of the Year Awards.

Monkton's entry read as follows:

At Monkton, boarding is the heartbeat of school life. With the majority of the Senior School boarding, the campus is alive seven days a week. Boarding here is not just about where students live, but how they live: with purpose, connection and joy. Our houses are run by Houseparents who create genuine home environments, where pastoral care feels like family life.

Monkton is distinguished by the way boarding influences every aspect of school life. Day pupils regularly stay until 9.30pm, making the most of ‘In House’ evenings. They often journey into boarding, drawn by the richness of the experience. The weekends are a highlight: Saturday nights vary from Bonfire to Band Night and each weekday student opt to come in or stay at school to join the fun. Sundays are for rest but some choose for that to look active, with trips to Thorpe Park, Bath Rugby, Ice Skating or Paintballing. Boarding life is packed with tradition, spontaneity and fun. Pupils don’t just attend these events - they lead them, giving students ownership of their community.

Monkton’s culture of inclusion, mentorship and celebration ensures that every boarder feels known, valued and empowered. The result is a community where students thrive in every way.

This year, Monkton’s boarding provision has flourished because it continues to listen to the evolving needs of our pupils. With Saturday and Sunday programmes ranging from formal dinners and Year-group balls to student-led band nights and quiz evenings, boarders of all ages find something to connect with. Notably, our calendar included popular highlights such as Rodeo Night, Outdoor Cinema, house Christmas parties, and the spring and summer balls, all of which were shaped by student feedback.

Trips to Thorpe Park, go-karting, and paintballing were used to build teamwork and resilience, with staff-led reflections giving them deeper purpose. The Christian Union Big Day Out, organised around students’ interests, combined adventure with meaningful discussion on identity and values. For Prep boarders, events like Pancake Night with houseparents and winter ice skating were designed to ease their transition, fostering routine, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging. Every activity was planned not just for fun, but to support student development in lasting ways.

One of our proudest indicators of success is the number of day pupils opting to stay in over weekends is one of our proudest indicators of success. It shows a boarding culture so engaging, so welcoming, that it draws in the entire school community - not just those who sleep on site.

Monkton’s boarding community is defined by its inclusivity, warmth and global outlook. With boarders from across the UK and around the world, the school is a vibrant cultural mosaic where difference is welcomed and celebrated. From Lunar New Year feasts to international community events, students learn not just about one another’s traditions - but how to live in a world that values empathy and perspective.

Every new boarder is paired with a dedicated mentor - an older pupil who helps them navigate campus life, understand routines and settle in socially. This system builds strong vertical relationships and ensures no student feels alone. For our international pupils, many of whom are far from home for the first time, this support is transformational.

By living, learning and leading together, Monkton boarders grow into adaptable, emotionally intelligent young adults. They leave us not only with strong academic results, but with a deep understanding of community, resilience and what it means to thrive in a diverse, interconnected world.

Boarding is the heartbeat of life at Monkton and we couldn’t be prouder of our pupils, staff and wider community.