Why Leweston School is an Excellent Option for Military Families

1. For forces families, the importance of a stable and consistent educational environment cannot be overstated. We are well-versed in the unique needs of military children and the school offers a continuous educational experience that serves as an anchor amidst the frequent relocations and disruptions that can come with military life. 
2. With both a Prep and Senior School sharing the same site, siblings can stay together, ensuring that the entire family's educational needs are met in one cohesive community. The 'family' approach to boarding at Leweston means that all boarders eat together and enjoy activities and entertainment together so siblings can see each other every day . . . whether they want to or not.  
3. Unlike many other schools, Leweston's boarding houses are situated within the main building, occupying different wings of the Manor House. This creates a 'home from home' atmosphere where academic and daily life happens 'downstairs' and boarding life 'upstairs.'
4. This unique arrangement ensures that day and boarding pupils are fully integrated, spending the entire school day together. This seamless integration fosters strong friendships and a cohesive school community, making it easier for new students to settle in quickly and feel at home.
5. As Leweston School is home to just over 100 boarders they form a close-knit extended family. This smaller boarding community allows Houseparents to focus on each pupil as an individual, ensuring that every child is well-supported and known personally.
6. The school offers a wide-reaching pastoral network that caters to the individual needs of each child. This personalised approach ensures that every pupil feels special, settled, and secure, which is especially important for military children who may face additional emotional and psychological challenges due to their unique lifestyle.
7. Leweston offers an extensive range of lunchtime and evening activities, providing ample opportunities for personal growth and social interaction. The school does not have Saturday classes, allowing boarders to spend Saturday mornings relaxing and completing their homework. In the afternoons, there are often sports fixtures, activities, or opportunities to explore Sherborne. Sundays are filled with engaging activities such as go-karting, caving, ice-skating, or trips to the theatre or beach. These activities are open to both day and boarding pupils, fostering a sense of community and inclusion.
8. This flexible approach to boarding allow parents to visit when they can, and full boarders can go out of school by request, not just at exeat weekends. Weekly boarders can stay for five nights a week, returning home on Friday night and coming back to school on Sunday, providing a balance that suits the needs of military families.
9. On a practical note if families are in receipt of CEA you will only ever pay 10% of the academic and boarding fees - the school will make up the difference. 
10. Many of the staff have served or been associated with the Armed Forces and we are delighted to have Lt General Sir James Dutton RM as one of our Governors. Our forces families are drawn from all three services and serve at a variety of establishments including RNAS Yeovilton, Portsmouth, Salisbury Plain, the MOD (London and Abbey Wood) and, of course, locations abroad.   

For more information about boarding at Leweston and how we can support your family please contact June Smith, Registrar, on 01963 211015 or admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk.