International Boarding Handbook

International Boarding Handbook

Welcome

New Hall is one of the UK’s oldest and largest independent Catholic schools, offering a holistic education that enables students to reach their full potential.

We have a long and well-established tradition of educating students from all over the world and has a wide network of global alumni. Our international students make a major contribution to the richness and diversity of community life and we welcome applications from overseas students, whether joining us as full boarders or relocating to the UK.

As a Catholic boarding and day school, we welcome students from all faiths and none, building a Christian community that has at its heart prayer and service to others. Educating students from Nursery age through to Sixth Form (ages 1 to 19), academic excellence is achieved in surroundings where relationships are based on care, trust and respect.

Our School is unusually vibrant and forward thinking, meeting the changing needs of young people and their families in the modern age. We are proud of our rich heritage and the tradition of academic excellence combined with outstanding pastoral care.

New Hall is a place where each individual is known and affirmed in his or her unique identity. In a happy and caring environment and with high expectations of good conduct and self-discipline, students grow in maturity and confidence and make life-long friends. I look forward to welcoming you to New Hall.

Mrs Katherine Jeffrey Principal

Our Facilities

Set in a former Tudor palace with 180 acres of heritage grounds, New Hall’s idyllic campus includes:

• National standard athletics track

• Floodlit astroturf pitches and basketball courts

• Fitness suite

• 8 floodlit tennis and netball courts

• Cricket, football and rugby pitches

• 25-metre 6-lane indoor swimming pool

• Learn-to-Ride centre with two equestrian simulators

• Farm & Outdoor Centre for the Natural Sciences

• International Business & Languages Centre, with replica Downing Street

• Historic Chapel

• Performing Arts Centre

• Art studios with digital photography suite and a darkroom

• On-site Health & Wellbeing Centre

Our Boarding Community

Boarding at New Hall is so much more than just living at school; it is a community, an adventure, and a place where every day brings new opportunities. Our 480 boarders come from more than 30 countries - including Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong, Germany, and China - as well as from across the UK, creating a truly international and inclusive environment. Boarders enjoy out-of-hours access to the very best our School has to offer, from the Fitness Suite and Library to music practice rooms and extensive outdoor facilities.

Our dedicated boarding team organises an exciting programme of weekday and weekend activities – from cultural excursions to London and historic English towns, to visits to renowned museums, the theatre and cinema, as well as shopping trips and thrilling theme park adventures. There is always something to look forward to, and plenty of opportunities to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

At the heart of boarding is balance. Structured study time, supported by specialist staff, helps our students stay on top of their academic goals, while free time allows them to pursue passions, explore new interests, and simply enjoy themselves. This blend of study, recreation, and community living nurtures confidence, independence, and resilience; qualities that will serve them well long into the future.

We are proud to offer a boarding experience that not only supports academic excellence but also encourages personal growth and character development. Boarding at New Hall is about becoming the very best version of yourself – and enjoying the journey along the way.

Mr Samuel Carroll Director of Boarding & Admissions

Boarders’ Testimonials

My experience at New Hall has been really enjoyable and educational. The Boarding House helped me with all of my worries and needs throughout the year. There is a wide range of staff in Boarding who specialise in specific subjects and help me do my study and understand the work. The boarding staff are always up for a chat and it’s nice to think of them as more of a friend than a teacher. Full boarding from Year 7 has really helped me become more independent than most younger people. I have friends from all year groups and have a really close relationship with the older girls.

Mayara | Full boarder from UAE

Boarding has been an amazing experience for me. The boarding staff are so welcoming, and they have done a great job making Dennett House a second home for all of us. My favourite aspect about boarding will be the socials we have with Campion every Wednesday. It gives us an opportunity to not only bond with the girls in our House but also the boys from the other Sixth Form House. We’ve had different events like quizzes, basketball matches, the ‘Pancake Race’, formals. They have all been successful and very enjoyable.

Chloe | Full boarder from Hong Kong

As a new student at New Hall, I have felt very welcomed by both boarders and staff. Boarding provides an excellent balance between studying and a social life, with both academic support and social events taking place. The boarders are very welcoming, regardless of if you have boarded before or are a newcomer. The staff are open minded and caring, and you can always have a good laugh with them. You can truly experience and live New Hall’s ethos by being a boarder. There is a real sense of belonging and community within the House, the importance of which cannot be understated.

Filip | Full boarder from North Macedonia

Our Boarding Houses

At New Hall School, we offer full or flexible boarding for students in Years 3-13, starting from 1 night per week. There are four houses, Hawley for girls in Years 3 to 11, Petre for boys in Years 3 to 11, Dennett for Sixth Form girls and Campion for Sixth Form boys. Students in Years 3–8 share comfortable rooms with two to four boarders. From Year 9 onwards, most students enjoy their own private room, complete with a desk and sink.

7-15)

Each of our Boarding Houses has its own unique character, providing a warm and supportive environment tailored to the needs of every child. Every House is led by a Head of Boarding and an Assistant Head of Boarding, supported by a dedicated team of matrons. Together, they are committed to creating a secure, happy, and family-oriented atmosphere in which every student feels valued and supported.

Dennett House: Senior Girls (Ages 16-18)

Campion House: Senior Boys (Ages 16-18) En-suite rooms are available in our Sixth Form boys’ house at an additional cost.

Academic Curriculum

New Hall School operates the highly successful ‘diamond model’, where students are educated in co-educational classes from ages 1 to 11 and at Sixth Form. However, from ages 11 to 16 they are taught in single-sex lessons.

The curriculum is distinctive in its breadth and academic rigour. An imaginatively taught and well-balanced curriculum is appropriately tailored to the needs of each student.

Teachers at New Hall are passionate about their subjects, contributing to an all-round culture of success. The school is known for its distinctive academic initiatives, such as the unique immersive language learning in its Cookery Department, where students cook while learning French or Spanish.

From Year 7 (age 11), students are timetabled over two weeks in the following subjects: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cookery, Drama, English, Geography, History, Language (French or Spanish), Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, PSHEE, Theology, plus two sports sessions each week. This is supplemented by an extensive range of challenging co-curricular activities, which take place at lunchtimes and after school each day.

Improving Your English

International boarders benefit from the New Hall English Language Academy; all academy staff are members of the boarding team and provide wraparound support seven days a week.

All non-English speakers can study English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and are supported to achieve English as an Additional Language (EAL) qualifications. In Years 7–11, students study EAP for a minimum of two hours per week in small class groups, woven into the curriculum. This increases to 3 hours per week in Years 12 and 13.

Skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are developed through a variety of topics. Teaching materials include clips from television and radio programmes, videos, articles, and material from the internet. As well as improving their language, EAP students learn about life in Britain and British culture.

The Cambridge ESOL examinations take place twice a year, dependent on student requirements. Students are entered for the examination commensurate with their English language ability, and our success rate is high.

While the A2 Key for Schools and B1 Preliminary for Schools are usually attained at the end of one year of study, two years of preparation are generally necessary for the B2 First for Schools and C1 Advanced examinations, where 60% is required for a pass. IGCSE English as a Second Language is available as an alternative to GCSE English.

In the Sixth Form, all students are prepared to take the English language qualifications which are required for university entry, eg IELTS.

Settling into Boarding

All new Year 7 and Year 12 boarders arrive at the Boarding House three days early in September, before the rest of the students. This early arrival includes a dedicated welcome day, followed by a full school induction day. Students also enjoy a guided tour of the campus and a local boarding trip on Saturday, helping them become familiar with the local city and surrounding area before the full school community arrives. In addition, international students are invited to attend an extended English Language Summer School Induction Camp during the summer holidays.

The Induction Weekend helps students familiarise themselves with the campus and settle into boarding life. Once all boarders have arrived, an on-site programme of activities begins, with a strong focus on team building and forming friendships.

Throughout the year, boarders are supported by a wide network that includes chaplaincy staff, resident teachers providing academic support, and comprehensive pastoral provision from Tutors, Student Support Managers and counsellors.

Trips

Weekends Full of Adventure

There are always full boarders of all ages at New Hall over the weekend during term time and there is a rich and diverse selection of cultural, artistic and adventure activities at weekends for both boarding and day student, including tours of London, Cambridge and Oxford, as well as trips to museums, adventure centres and theme parks. A sample of the schedule is below:

9 Jan

Silent Disco

Thurs 12 Feb

Half Term Begins

Weekends Full of Adventure

10 Jan

11 Jan

Fri 9 Jan

House Chill & Connect

Sun 22 Feb

Sat 10 Jan

17 Jan

Sun 11 Jan

Sat 17 Jan

24 Jan Sun 25 Jan

Silent Disco

Escape Room, Colchester (Hawley & Petre)

House Chill & Connect

Afternoon Tea Experience – Mrs Sainsbury’s, Maldon (Sixth Form & Year 11)

Escape Room, Colchester (Hawley & Petre)

Sun 18 Jan Boarders’ Italian Pizza Experience Padel (Sixth Form)

Afternoon Tea Experience – Mrs Sainsbury’s, Maldon (Sixth Form & Year 11)

Boarders’ Spanish Carnival

Movie Magic

Sun 18 Jan Boarders’ Italian Pizza Experience Padel (Sixth Form)

Sat 24 Jan

Sat 31 Jan Rage Room – Urban Extreme, Colchester (Sixth Form)

Boarders’ Spanish Carnival

Sun 1 Feb

Sun 25 Jan

Movie Magic

Westfield Shopping with Minigolf and Bowling (Hawley & Petre)

Sat 31 Jan Rage Room – Urban Extreme, Colchester (Sixth Form)

Sat 7 Feb

Sun 1 Feb

Sun 8 Feb

Sat 7 Feb

Wine & Cheese (Sixth Form)

The Call of the Wild (Hawley & Petre Prep & Year 7)

Westfield Shopping with Minigolf and Bowling (Hawley & Petre)

Petre’s London Trip

Wine & Cheese (Sixth Form)

Hawley’s London Trip & Bubble Planet Experience

The Call of the Wild (Hawley & Petre Prep & Year 7)

Tues 10 Feb Valentines Formal Dinner (Hawley & Petre)

Sun 8 Feb

Petre’s London Trip

Hawley’s London Trip & Bubble Planet Experience

Thurs 12 Feb

Sat 28 Feb

Sun 1 Mar

Weds 25 Feb Dennett and Campion Black Tie Event

Half Term Begins

Sun 22 Feb Sat 28 Feb

Boarders Return Glow in the Dark Badminton

AirHop (Hawley & Petre)

Weds 25 Feb Dennett and Campion Black Tie Event

Sun 1 Mar

Sun 8 Mar

Sat 14 Mar

Sat 7 Mar Battersea Power StationObservation Deck Lift 109 and London Shopping (Sixth Form & Year 11)

Tubing at Brentwood Ski Centre (Hawley & Petre)

Sat 7 Mar Battersea Power StationObservation Deck Lift 109 and London Shopping (Sixth Form & Year 11)

Sun 8 Mar

Sat 14 Mar Boarders Return Glow in the Dark Badminton AirHop (Hawley & Petre)

Arcade Game Hire (Petre) Ceramics for Mother’s Day (Hawley)

Sun 15 Mar Boarders in Cambridge

Tubing at Brentwood Ski Centre (Hawley & Petre)

Arcade Game Hire (Petre)

• Priority is given to Full Boarders for the trips (no charge)

Tues 10 Feb Valentines Formal Dinner (Hawley & Petre)

• Flexi Boarders are able to book in for the weekend (Saturday or Sunday night) and participate on trips (no charge)

• Please contact your child’s Head of Boarding for further information

Priority is given to Full Boarders for the trips (no charge)

• Flexi Boarders are able to book in for the weekend (Saturday or Sunday night) and participate on trips (no charge)

• Please contact your child’s Head of Boarding for further information

Admissions Process

Initial Enquiry

Please send us a copy of your child’s two most recent school reports, including their level of English, plus a colour copy of their passport. Once reviewed, and if we are able to consider your child, we will ask you to complete our registration form.

Assessment Stage

Once registered, we will send through assessment details. Assessments must be sat under examination conditions and with appropriate invigilation. Students can complete the assessments at their current school, an agency office, or at the local British Council offices. Students will also be required to have an interview, which can be completed online. Assessment details for each Year Group can be found on the next

Visa Assistance

If your child requires a visa to study in the UK, we will liaise with you to ensure you have the correct information for your application. Our immigration lawyers will assist you with this.

Scan to see our Fees page

Registering

Please complete our registration form and return it with payment of the registration fee.

Offer Decision & Acceptance

Should your child be successful in receiving an offer, we will send the offer letter together with supporting documentation for completion. To accept the offer, we will need to receive the completed Acceptance Form and the required deposit (one term’s fees for stays of over a year) by the deadline stated in the offer letter.

New Starter Information

Information will be sent to you during the term before entry, to ensure you have everything you need. This includes uniform, contact information, permissions and handbooks, to ensure a smooth transition into our School community.

Preparatory Division - Years 3 - 6 (ages 7-11)

Yr 3

Yr 4

Yr 5

Yr 6

If space available

Assessments:

• 1 hour English knowledge assessment

• 45 minute English written assessment

• 30 minute Maths assessment

• English language interview

In the New Hall Preparatory Division, we know that children excel academically when they are inspired to learn. Our curriculum is delivered through a range of exciting and engaging topics and built upon a progressive ladder of skills. At all ages, our curriculum is enriched by specialist subject teachers. The expert knowledge of our teachers and their passion for their subjects greatly enhance the children’s learning experience.

Middle & Upper Divisions - Years 7 - 11 (ages 11-16)

Yr 7 - Competitive entry point

Yr 8 - If space available

Yr 9 - Competitive entry point

Yr 10 - If space available

Yr 11 - N/A

Assessments:

• 1 hour English knowledge assessment

• 30 minute English written assessment

• 1 hour Maths assessment

• interview

At New Hall, we operate a highly successful ‘diamond model’ structure, i.e. co-education in the Preparatory Divisions (ages 1-11), single-sex education in the Boys’ Division and Girls’ Division (11-16) and co-education in the Sixth Form (16-18). In this way, New Hall provides the best of both worlds: the benefits of a co-educational environment together with the advantages of girls and boys being taught separately at Key Stages 3 and 4. The provision of single-sex education during formative years enables students to grow in confidence, whilst enjoying an education that is specifically tailored and that recognises the different ways in which girls and boys learn.

Sixth Form - Years 12 - 13 (ages 16-19)

Yr 12 - Competitive entry point

Yr 13 - N/A

Assessments:

• 1 hour English knowledge assessment

• 30 minute English written assessment

• 1 hour Maths assessment

• interview

The Sixth Form experience at New Hall is about expanding horizons, both in students’ specialist areas of study and more generally in terms of their awareness of the world and personal development. Students are encouraged to nurture interests, to meet challenges, to assume responsibilities and to gain qualifications – and to aspire to excellence in all that they do. We prepare students not just for university, but also for life beyond it. The opportunities here are vast; it is these experiences that will help distinguish each student’s application for university or other opportunities and help shape their future.

English Language Guidelines

For students to succeed academically, we expect the following CEFR (Common European framework of Reference for Languages) levels if they are going to be sitting GCSEs or A Levels at New Hall. However, we consider every application on its individual merit, and may accept lower levels for short term or one-year stays.

Educational Guardians

For all overseas students, it is a requirement to have a UK-based Educational Guardian who lives within two hours of the School. Educational Guardians provide extra support to students, ensuring their welfare in and out of School, and are often a base duing half-terms and holidays when the School is closed. An Educational Guardian acts as the overseas parents’ representative, and is independent of the School.

Arrangements for appointing an Educational Guardian are the responsibility of parents, and we strongly recommend choosing an accredited Educational Guardian. Details of your appointed guardian should be included on the Acceptance Form.

Visa Requirements

Child Student Visa services are coordinated through our immigration partner, Fragomen, who will contact parents directly to begin the draft visa application process. We kindly ask that you do not start a visa application until you have heard from New Hall School or Fragomen, to ensure everything is completed correctly. Please note that there is a fee of £650 + VAT for this service, which will be added to your first term’s bill.

Admissions Contact

Please contact our Admissions Team to discuss your child’s application to New Hall at any stage of the admissions process. We understand what a huge undertaking it is to send your child overseas and we will support you to make the process as seamless as possible.

Email admissions@newhallschool.co.uk

Telephone +44 (0) 1245 236 098

Leavers’ Destinations

North West

University of Lancaster

University of Liverpool

University of Manchester

Northern Ireland

Queens University

Belfast

West Midlands

University of Birmingham University of Warwick

Wales University of Cardiff

South West

University of Bath

University of Bristol University of Exeter

South East

University of Brighton

University of Kent

University of Oxford

University of Reading

University of Southampton

University of Surrey

University of Sussex

Global Destinations

DePauw University, USA

Michigan State University, USA

Parsons School of Design, New York, USA

Stanford University, USA

University of North Carolina, USA

University of San Francisco, USA

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

KU Leuven, Belgium

Sciences Po, Dijon, France

Scotland

University of Dundee

University of St Andrews

North East

Durham University

University of Newcastle

Yorkshire and The Humber

University of Leeds

University of Sheffield

University of York

East Midlands

University of Leicester

University of Nottingham Loughborough University

East of England

University of Cambridge

University of East Anglia

University of Essex

London

University of the Arts London

UCL (University College London)

Imperial College London

King’s College London

LSE (The London School of Economics & Political Science)

Queen Mary’s University London

Royal Holloway University

SOAS University of London

Top Course Choices

• Economics, Accountancy & Finance

• Law, Politics & International Relations

• Theology & Philosophy

• History, Ancient History & Classics

• Geography & Environmental Sciences

• Biological & Biomedical Sciences

• Medicine, Pharmacy & Clinical Sciences

• Business & Management

• Psychology & Social Sciences

• Media, Art & Fashion

• Physics & Engineering

Timings of the Day

Senior Divisions (ages 11-19)*

Time

7.30am - 8.00am Boarders’ breakfast

8.20am - 8.40am Assemblies / Tutorial

8.45am - 9.40am Period 1

9.45am - 10.40am Period 2

10.40am - 11.00am Morning Break

11.00am - 11.55am Period 3

12.00pm - 12.55pm Period 4

12.55pm - 2.05pm Lunch

12.55pm - 1.30pm Lunch 1 Activity

1.30pm - 2.15pm Lunch 2 Activity

2.20pm - 3.15pm Period 5

3.20pm - 4.15pm Period 6

4.15pm End of school day

4.15pm - 4.30pm Boarders return to Houses; snack time

4.30pm - 5.30pm

Co-curricular activities / Junior Houses’ supervised study / Senior Houses’ rest and social time

5.45pm - 6.45pm Boarders’ supper

6.30pm - 9.45pm

Study and Boarding Activities. Timings and bedtime routines vary depending on age groups