With a long tradition of boarding, Pipers provides a warm and friendly environment with family values at its heart. The more senior boarders all take pride in helping their younger peers and sisterly relationships develop, ensuring that the environment is happy and home-like.
Our very experienced house staff provide personal attention and a listening ear for every girl. The safeguarding and promotion of every girl's welfare is paramount and the aim of all house staff is to ensure that our boarders are happy and contented. They give lots of time to the girls ensuring the right balance of peace and quiet, and stimulating activity.
There is close liaison between the boarding staff and teaching staff to ensure continuity of information and care at all times. As part of this house staff have regular meetings to discuss any issues that may have arisen.
The girls also have a say in the way that boarding is run. The senior boarder organises Boarders' Council which meets once every half term and is made up of representatives from each year group. The girls are encouraged to become independent, confident young women and the council provides them with a discussion forum in which they can bring up any issues in a mature and organised way. The senior boarder meets with the Head of boarding on a weekly basis to ensure the lines of communication are always open.
Free time
We provide plenty of time and space for the girls to try their hand at new skills and to enjoy a wide range of games and hobbies.
Weekends in particular are carefully planned to include a wide variety of visits and experiences to ensure a rich and fulfilling social life for the girls. Many of our day girls often request to join the boarders on the weekend outings.
Individual welfare
Our Head of Boarding is also our resident Nursing Sister. She or her non-resident assistant nurse are always on hand to give professional medical advice when necessary throughout the school day.
An additional surgery for boarders is held directly after breakfast, lunch and supper and girls are also encouraged to contact house staff at any time during the day or night is they feel they need to. House staff are "On-duty" at all times.
Counselling
The girls are encouraged to be open and honest with the house staff and each other. We aim to create an environment in which our girls feel comfortable to talk about any problems they may have.
For those girls who wish to talk to someone outside of the boarding community, an independent counsellor visits the school every Thursday during term time. Girls can make confidential appointments to see her and all girls are made aware of this service during their PSE lessons.