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Most parents approaching boarding for the first time don't realise there are several different types. The terminology, full boarding, weekly boarding, flexi boarding, gets used interchangeably, and most school websites don't explain what each one actually involves in practice.
This guide does. And then it explains what Leweston does differently with its five boarding packages because the traditional three-way split no longer captures what's available.
The three classic types of boarding
Full boarding means a pupil lives at school for the full week, including weekends. In the traditional model, this means Saturday school and weekend supervision on campus. In more modern schools, Leweston included, it means the pupil has a boarding place for seven nights but weekend returns home are entirely at the family's discretion. No forms. No advance notice required.
Weekly boarding means a pupil boards from Sunday evening or Monday morning until Friday afternoon, returning home every weekend. The pupil has a fixed place in the boarding house for the week. This is the most structured and predictable model, it suits families where consistent childcare during the week is the priority.
Flexi boarding is the most flexible model. A pupil has access to boarding, their own bed, their own storage, but for a defined number of nights per week rather than the full week. The exact structure varies significantly between schools. At Leweston, Leweston Flex means two guaranteed nights per week in the termly fee, with additional nights available at a published nightly rate.
The problem with the traditional three-way model
The three classic types leave some families without a good fit.
The parent who needs an occasional bed, not two nights a week, not five, but would value the reassurance of knowing one is available when things get complicated at home. Or the Sixth Form student who wants somewhere to stay on a late-night in term but doesn't want a weekly commitment. Or the day family who simply wants to know there's a Standby bed at 24 hours' notice on the rare occasions they need it.
These families don't fit neatly into full, weekly or flexi. They need something more graduated.
What Leweston does instead
From September 2026, Leweston offers five named boarding packages, a ladder from minimal overnight access through to fully inclusive international boarding. Here is how they map:
| Package | Nearest traditional type | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|
| Leweston Plus | Day place with boarding access | 3 free overnight stays per year included in every Senior day fee plus access to occasional boarding at Sleepover rate |
| Leweston Flex | Flexi boarding | 2 guaranteed nights/week in the fee. Additional nights at £40/night. From Year 4 |
| Leweston Full | Full or weekly boarding | 7 nights available per week. Weekend returns entirely at family discretion. No Saturday school |
| Leweston World | Full boarding (international) | All-inclusive: transfers, EAL, Exeat accommodation, CAS, weekend activities. No extras |
| Leweston Sixth | Flexi boarding for Sixth Form | Private study bedroom. Nights at £40. No weekly minimum |
Which type suits which family?
Leweston Plus is for families who don't need boarding regularly but want the peace of mind of knowing it's available. It's built into every Senior day place, most families don't realise they already have it.
Leweston Flex suits working parents, children with regular mid-week extracurricular commitments, sport, music, equestrian, or families who want to experience boarding life before committing to full week. It is available from Year 4.
Leweston Full suits families where boarding is the primary mode of schooling, whether because of distance, work patterns, or because a child thrives in a residential environment. It is also the option for military families using CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance). At between £9,446 and £12,880 per term, at least £4,000 per year below comparable schools in the South West, it represents genuine value.
Leweston World is designed specifically for international families who need cost certainty. One fee covers everything: there are no airport transfers, no host family arrangements needed for Exeat, no EAL invoice at the end of term. Every Leweston World pupil is entitled to a 48-hour taster visit before any enrolment decision.
Leweston Sixth is for Sixth Form students who value having a base at school during busy periods, before exams, on late-finishing days, when a revision session runs long, without the structure of a weekly boarding commitment.
The nightly rates — for families who need occasional access
Any Leweston family can book an overnight stay without a package commitment. Three published rates:
- Standby: £60/night. Emergency booking within 24–48 hours. Available to all families from Year 4.
- Sleepover: £48/night. Standard ad hoc overnight. No prior commitment.
- Frequent Sleeper: £40/night. Pre-booked blocks, or additional nights for Leweston Flex boarders.
What to ask any boarding school before you decide
Whatever type of boarding you're considering, it's worth asking a few questions that most schools don't address proactively:
- What are the weekend arrangements? Does 'full boarding' mean Saturday school? Can children go home every weekend, or only on designated Exeat weekends?
- What happens if my child needs to stay longer or shorter than expected? Is there flexibility, and what does it cost?
- What does an evening in the boarding house actually look like? Ask to see it — not the prospectus version, but on a normal Tuesday.
- Who is on duty overnight? What are the staff ratios, and is there a resident houseparent or duty staff?
- What is the nightly rate if we need the occasional extra night? Hidden charges erode trust.
At Leweston, all five packages have published fees. The nightly rates are published.
Want to see how it works in practice?
Come and see the boarding house. Bring your child. It's the thing that's hardest to explain on a page and easiest to understand in person.
Call 01963 211015 or visit leweston.co.uk to book a visit or speak to the team.
Leweston School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Sherborne, Dorset, for pupils aged 3 months to 18, offering Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form on a single campus.