Lancaster Royal
Grammar School

Interviews with Sixth Form Boarders

Racheal Adewakun

Racheal was one of the first girls to join LRGS as a Sixth Form Boarder. She said:

“Coming from Nigeria to school in UK was scary. The feeling of being at rest but not at rest, free from parents just to meet another set of parents. Some might wonder why leave home?

At LRGS, I felt warmth and comfort the second I stepped on campus.

Being a part of the first set of girls to board has been an extraordinary experience that has helped me in developing people skills.

I studied Economics, Math, Physics, and Computer Science hoping to pursue Economics at University. Taking on four A-levels and adding an EPQ would definitely be ranked as one of the most challenging things I have done personally. The journey to the end was not smooth, but it was worthwhile. 

The LRGS community is actively involved in sports and other extracurricular activities such as rugby, cricket, basketball, rowing, and netball. Students are encouraged to join societies and clubs. I am a part of the Whewell society and occasionally partake in the historical society.

Schooling abroad can be very daunting primarily due to being away from family, but it has enabled me to learn about different cultures and has prepared me for university. I have truly enjoyed the two years I spent boarding at LRGS.”

Rozzie Weir

Rozzie was awarded a Sixth Form Boarding Scholarship on entry in September 2020. On looking back on her two years at LRGS she said: 

"Although I had heard of LRGS' great reputation, when I decided to apply for the Boarding scholarship, I had no idea about the wealth of intellectual and extracurricular opportunities that have been available, despite the situation with COVID-19. I've loved getting involved in debates and societies, such as Lit Soc and History Society, but also helping younger students with their interests, through mentoring and French club".

I have a place at Oxford University studying languages after a year abroad, and feel I've hugely benefitted from an academic but also more general perspective, building my confidence and developing my opinions, from the opportunities this scholarship has given me.

 

Alvin Wong

I would recommend joining LRGS as a boarder’

Alvin came to LRGS in Year 7 and he says: ‘I would recommend joining LRGS as a boarder.  It's a great opportunity as learning how to be independent is important and this is a great transition from home’.

Alvin continues: ‘There are set prep times, this means you do your work when you should so you are always up to date.  There are four different duty masters in the boarding house during the week and they teach within school as well so if you come across something that it is difficult you can ask them questions about it’.

Now in his second year of A-level study Alvin says: ‘A-levels are very different from GCSEs and they’re a big step up academically.  To cope with this change, proper organisation and effective time management is vital.  The teachers here are very helpful and give a lot of constructive advice to support you.  He continues: ‘We are treated as adults, we have responsibilities within the boarding houses and we all keep an eye out for the younger ones’.

Angus Clifford

‘I have developed and matured massively as a boarder’

Angus has been boarding since Year 7 and is now taking A-levels in Maths, Physics and Design Technology with a view to studying Engineering at university.  When asked about boarding Angus says:‘You make mates you'll have for life and I have developed and matured massively as a boarder; it has really given me a lot of independence.  It’s also helped my studying as there is always a good working atmosphere with great support from boarding staff and older boys in the house’.

Now he is in Sixth Form Angus says: ‘We have freedom to choose how we want to work in study periods, we are also treated less as students and more as adults and there are great opportunities to look after and lead the younger boys’.  Angus also enjoys making use of the wide range of sporting facilities available and he’d definitely recommend boarding commenting: ‘it’s a great way to spend your A-level years with a great community around you’.

Cameron Rowbotham

The sense of camaradarie between boys is one of the most important parts of the school’

As a Sixth Form boarder Cameron says: ‘We are not only given the opportunity to partake in new activities but also the chance to take on new responsibilities such as mentoring younger students and coaching in sports lessons.  Not only have these opportunities allowed me to further my independence but they have also given me the chance to build upon other fundamental life skills such as communication and responsibility.’

Hoping to go to university to study Economics and Politics Cameron feels supported in his studies saying: ‘In the boarding house we are given structured study sessions as well as access to teaching staff from multiple disciplines’. 

Cameron enjoys being at LRGS commenting: ‘the sense of camaradarie between boys is in my opinion one of the most important parts of the school.  Whether you’re with boys in your year or those bellow there is always a sense of belonging and acceptance.  I would certainly recommend the Sixth Form to anyone thinking of applying to LRGS.  Whether you’re looking for a place on academic excellence or somewhere to experience new things and enjoy your final years, there is something for everyone’.

Justin Ezeala

'I came here because of the outstanding reputation that the school has’

Previously at school in Nigeria, Justin joined LRGS in Lower Sixth saying: ‘LRGS was highly recommended and I came here because of the outstanding reputation that the school has’.

Justin is studying History, English Literature and Economics and says: ‘Boarding provides a conducive environment for studying and there is always support if ever required which is helping me to prepare for university in the UK’.

Justin is a full boarder commenting: ‘I enjoy the weekend activities such as Paintball, Bowling and Go-carting and it’s great to have the opportunity to socialize and interact with various other in a very friendly environment

To sum up Justin says: ‘I would absolutely recommend boarding at LRGS for its friendly environment and character building qualities, as well as its conducive environment for academic study’.

Karan Oommen

‘I would strongly recommend it as it is great preparation for university

Karan joined LRGS in Year 7 to gain independence and responsibility and he is now studying Maths, Physics Chemistry and intends to go on to study Mechanical Engineering at university and he says: ’As we are now the oldest in the school there is a lot more freedom and a lot more opportunities to take responsibility and to be to be good role models for the school. Karan feels supported in his studies saying: ‘The housemasters and tutors are helpful and there is a mentoring scheme’ he continues: ‘The school has a good teaching discipline and there are opportunities for many other activities other than work such as doing the Duke of Edinburgh Awards or joining the Combined Cadet Force’.

When asked what he’d say to someone considering boarding here in the Sixth Form.  Karan quickly replies, ‘I would strongly recommend it as it is great preparation for university’

Louis Kamijo-Flanagan

I’m developing both my communication and my organisational skills’

Louis came to LRGS in Year 7 as it was his first choice of school and his parents wanted him to develop independence that would help him in future years.  Louis enjoys boarding and cites the strong friendships he has developed throughout the boarding community as being invaluable.

Louis hopes to study Medicine after his A-levels and he thinks that boarding helps his studying saying: ‘Allocated prep times allows your day to be organised and having many subject teachers around to ask questions is also most beneficial’.

Louis also enjoys sport saying: ‘As a boarder It is easier to get involved and represent school for sports as you are always close and available’.

Louis agrees that Sixth Form boarding can offer extra responsibilities.  Louis is head prefect of a boarding house and lead prefect of boarding school tours and says: ‘These roles help to develop both my communication and my organisational skills and will really useful for me in life after LRGS’.

Robin Preston

‘This school has so many activities from which new friends can be made’

Having joined in Year 7 and now in Sixth Form Robin says: ‘I have access to the boarding house for my study periods allowing me to have full use of all my books and my laptop.  In the boarding house there are plenty of students and staff who are happy to help with any work I’m not confident with.  Robin continues: ‘As I grew up through the house I witnessed sixth formers come and go.  Now I’m in their position and I’m taking a leadership role in the boarding house and helping the younger boarders.’

Robin has been very involved in extracurricular activities and says: ‘From the opportunities at LRGS you can gain many skills and achievements, for instance I took part in the gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and I learnt new concepts that I otherwise wouldn’t have known. This school has so many activities from which new friends can be made.  I also have many memories from clubs so I’m pleased I took part in them’.

And Robin’s final comment: 

‘I would certainly recommend boarding and living at school also means I get more free time, as I don’t spend any time travelling’.