Boarding at LRGS
Boarding - 4th-6th Year Ashton/School Houses
Ashton House
The general ethos of Ashton is for pupils to be given as many opportunities to achieve to their academic potential, whilst also experiencing as many other facets of school life as possible. Whilst an element of routine and structure is a necessity in community living Ashton House retains a relaxed and happy atmosphere. Ashton House has between 50 and 60 boarders at any time, aged between 13 and 18. Situated on the Bay View site, it consists of two buildings; Ashton House and Ashton Annexe. Both buildings have a range of bedrooms, amenities, recreation rooms and a kitchen for the use of the boys. Whichever building boys are in they are fully involved in the House community.
When pupils join Ashton in the Fourth Year they are located in the main house under my supervision. There is a gradual increase in independence as the pupils get older. The smaller community in the Annexe provides a good working environment and is supervised by the resident Annexe Housemaster. In the Sixth Form, pupils may be located in either the house or the annexe, dependent upon numbers and preferences. Whenever possible Sixth Form pupils are given a single room, with Upper Sixth Formers given priority.
Boarding numbers have surged recently and we are confident that this trend will continue. We have recently extended and refurbished both Ashton houses and have greatly enhanced the accommodation we offer.
School House
The new School House opened its doors at the beginning September 2008 and is now occupied by over 60 senior boys who are enjoying state-of-the-art boarding accommodation. We believe our boarding facilities must now match the best in the country.
The original Victorian Gardyner House has been refurbished to provide common rooms and recreational areas blending well with the modern accommodation blocks. The new building comprises double and single rooms, all of which are en-suite and have internet access. The boarders are grouped by year group, with a number of prefects rooming nearby.
There is a large welcoming kitchen where matron bases herself and where boys can make drinks or cook. A magnificent oak dining table (kindly provided by donations) has become the social hub of the house, where boys chat, relax and even have the occasional banquet! In addition there are two spacious recreation rooms with large screen TVs, pool and table football.
Adjacent to the bedrooms there are two cafés, with tea and coffee-making facilities. Boys can let off steam in the playground outside or enjoy the quiet grassed courtyard.
We are proud of the building’s ‘eco’ credentials, as seen in the solar panels which heat the power showers, ground source heat pumps which provide under-floor heating, a tree-planting programme for 100 new trees and a chicken coop, whose residents provide fresh eggs daily for the boys’ breakfast.
