A cornerstone of King’s is our vibrant boarding community, dedicated to nurturing every aspect of a child's growth. Whether pupils are boarders or day pupils, they benefit from the enriching experiences that boarding life provides. Visitors to King’s Bruton frequently comment on how grounded and down-to-earth our pupils are. This atmosphere arises from our balanced community, which includes equal numbers of boarders and day pupils, as well as girls and boys. Together, they thrive in a culture of mutual respect, support, and honesty. Boarders bring a cosmopolitan flair, while day pupils reinforce our strong local presence.
Every pupil enjoys the advantages of our boarding ethos and exceptional pastoral care, centred around our House system. Each pupil, whether a boarder or a day pupil, belongs to a Boarding House, their physical and spiritual home during their time at school. Our three girls' and three boys' houses are lively communities, equipped with excellent facilities and supported by specially trained staff. Each House is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress, along with a full-time Resident Tutor and Matron. Healthy competition among the Houses fosters camaraderie, with inter-house events in sports, music and debating which encourages pupil engagement and contribution. Day pupils have the option to board for up to three nights a week for an additional fee, whilst boarders enjoy the flexibility of going out at the weekends - although many choose to stay in and participate in activities. We have two compulsory exeats each year, which take place during the Christmas Term.
Our boarding ethos cultivates a space where pupils build confidence and character, broaden their horizons, and test their independence in a safe and supportive environment. Houses are designed to feel like home, with Housemasters and Housemistresses nurturing strong, lasting bonds among pupils of all ages. Thursday nights are particularly notable, featuring House Nights filled with activities such as baking, dodgeball, movie nights, pamper sessions, House bingo, and quizzes. These evenings also provide opportunities for joint House events, pairing different Houses for social gatherings and Pastoral Tutor Sessions, alongside year group events like Ceilidh dancing and formal dinners.
At King’s, our boarding ethos fosters an environment where pupils develop confidence without arrogance, expand their horizons, and cultivate independence in a secure setting. Our modern boarding model replicates the warmth of a family atmosphere, creating a home-away-from-home where relationships flourish in a relaxed, stable environment. Housemasters and Housemistresses play a crucial role in guiding these communities, promoting connections among pupils of varying ages. In this nurturing setting, young people thrive, gaining confidence and character while becoming more empathetic and skilled at relating to a diverse range of individuals. Additionally, our pupils learn to navigate independence within thoughtfully established guidelines, preparing them for future boarding experiences at university or the next stages of their lives beyond King’s.
All pupils attend three Saturday morning lessons followed by afternoon sports, leaving Saturday evenings open for fun. The Junior Common Room (for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Form) is a social hub for juniors, regularly hosting theme nights and barbecues, while the Sixth Form Club serves as a relaxed space for our older pupils, all under adult supervision. Sundays feature a full schedule of activities, including paintballing, cinema outings, and shopping trips, as well as time to unwind or catch up on personal tasks. Houses are supervised throughout the weekend, and the gym is open on Sunday evenings. Pupils also enjoy a “take-away” supper from the School Dining Room on Sunday evenings - a delightful way to conclude a busy weekend.
Pastoral Care is integral to our strong community.
King's is also proud to provide 24-hour qualified nursing care in our dedicated Health Centre.
We chose King's for a number of reasons, but possibly the most important one was because of its exceptional pastoral care and ‘family’ feeling. All staff really invested in our children and we felt completely confident handing them over to the care of their Housemaster/mistress and matrons. The open-door policy from all staff was exemplified by swift responses to any questions or concerns. Every parents’ meeting impressed us enormously; the teachers knew our children so well and we liked the way they interacted with the pupils - with respect and humour. - Current and Past Parent
Christmas Term 2024 House Twitter Compilation
Summer Term 2024 House Twitter Compilation
Easter Term 2024 House Twitter Compilation