Day & Boarding Provision

evenings, nights and weekends to fit your family lifestyle

Eastbourne College has an excellent reputation for its house provision. We are known for our warm, inclusive and supportive environment that promotes a strong sense of belonging for our pupils – a true home away from home. Boys and girls form lasting friendships across year groups and can choose from a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom each evening and weekend. Our award-winning pastoral care is exceptional.

We recognise that modern family life requires flexibility, and our approach to nights and weekends is designed to work for you. From full, seven nights a week boarding to just day provision, we can match the needs of our pupils and their families. Evenings are equally available, identically structured, productive and enjoyable for all pupils, whether they are staying overnight or not. At the weekend, with no compulsory academic lessons on Saturdays or Sundays, the programme is packed with optional enrichment sessions, co-curricular activities, trips and sports fixtures. This allows all pupils to benefit from our structured, engaging environment during the week while boarders can choose to stay and enjoy weekend activities or return home from Friday night (or after Saturday’s fixture commitments have been played).

The house system

When pupils join us, regardless of whether they are day or boarding pupils, they are welcomed into one of our ten inclusive, sociable houses. Every pupil has their own, allocated study space, with study bedrooms for boarders.

Each house is led by a resident housemaster or housemistress, supported by a team of tutors, including a resident tutor and matron in each of the boarding houses.

The housemasters and housemistresses provide continuity of care from arrival through to A- level results days (and beyond) while the tutors share responsibility for their tutees’ welfare and academic progress. At all times, the housemaster or housemistress and tutor work together with parents to provide guidance and support for their child.

All houses have a garden or outdoor games area, a common room, a games room and a dedicated study space for every pupil. There is also a kitchen for those who want to prepare a quick snack, though the school provides a healthy supply of bread, toppings and fruit throughout the day.

Pupils learn about the importance of mutual respect for those with different backgrounds, within the school and the wider community.

– ISI Inspection, November 2024

The right fit for your family’s needS

We are delighted to offer four day and boarding options to suit the needs of our families.

Day pupils (6pm departure daily)
Our day pupils participate fully in all academic lessons, co-curricular activities and sport on offer each day. They leave at 6pm to coincide with our school minibus run. On occasion, when certain events require day pupils to stay beyond 6pm, eg a school play or the house singing competition, extra supervision and appropriately timed minibuses are provided.

Click here to see our bus routes

Day+ pupils (up to 9pm departure daily)
Our Day+ option is perfect for pupils who want to benefit from our extended school day which includes supervised prep, supper and the opportunity to relax with friends before leaving the house by 9pm. Based in one of our boarding houses, Day+ pupils also have the option to stay overnight on a pay-per-night basis, subject to availability.

Flexi3 pupils (option for three flexi-boarding nights out of seven)
In response to demand from families both locally and further afield, our Flexi3 option allows pupils to stay any three nights out of seven. On these evenings, they benefit from supervised prep, supper and social time with their friends and they can join in with the boarders’ evening activities before staying over in their allocated study bedroom.

Full ‘College’ Boarding (full weekday and weekend boarding)
Our full boarders, known as College boarders, make the most of everything the school has to offer, up to seven days and nights per week. Houses and the wider school are always alive with pupils taking advantage of the wonderful facilities, support and social opportunities that are available, both on-site and beyond, in our stunning coastal location.

Boarding staff provide engaging activities to support pupils social development and provide a healthy balance to their academic commitments.”

– ISI Inspection, November 2024

Weekends

Saturdays
Most pupils, whether they are Day, Day+, Flexi3 or College boarders, take advantage of our optional Saturday morning programme brimming with enrichment, study support and co-curricular opportunities. There is also a full programme of Saturday sports fixtures. In the evenings a series of sociable activities take place, from house dinners to school plays and revues to sporting events.

Sundays
Sundays are relaxed, allowing our College and Flexi3 boarders to enjoy the school’s unrivalled location by the sea, the South Downs and the town, which is just a five-minute stroll away. They may also opt to join the boarders’ trips and activities.