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Sending your child away, perhaps far from home, is one of the biggest acts of trust a parent can make. At Whitgift Summer School, we never forget that. Every member of our team understands that you are not simply enrolling a student; you are placing your child, your most precious person, into our care.

Our promise is simple: your child will feel safe, supported, and truly cared for from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave once their course is finished.

Who Looks After Your Child?

Your Child At the Centre of Everything

Our students are the heart of our summer school. Every routine, every safety check, every programme choice is shaped around helping young people feel secure, confident, and ready develop. We want them to have the space to grow as individuals while feeling part of a warm and welcoming community.

House Parents: The Heart of the Boarding House

Our House Parents are caring, calm, and deeply experienced, many returning to Whitgift year after year. They create a homely, nurturing atmosphere where children feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether it’s listening to worries at bedtime, celebrating achievements, or sharing a friendly chat in the common room, they are always there.
For many students, House Parents become the comforting adult they can turn to, the reassuring presence who makes everything feel okay.

Nurse: Daily Care and Compassion

Our trained nursing team is on site Monday to Friday and Sundays, starting each morning in the boarding house to check on students who may be unwell, administer medication, and ensure every child feels physically supported from the start of the day. Their gentle approach helps even the most anxious student feel safe.

Doctor: Care When It’s Needed Most

If a child needs to see a doctor, we arrange an appointment quickly, often the same day, so parents can feel confident that their child’s health is always our priority.

Welfare Manager: Your Link to Home

Our Welfare Manager oversees the entire boarding environment and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the summer school. They ensure the happiness, protection and wellbeing of every student, supporting House Parents, monitoring daily routines, and acting as the main contact for parents. If there is ever a concern, big or small, you will have a dedicated person who knows your child and is ready to help.

What We Look After

Children grow quickly during summer schools, and their needs can vary day to day. We pride ourselves on spotting things early and acting quickly. The most common things we support students with include:

• Homesickness
• Headaches, coughs, colds and sore throats
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Minor sports injuries

These are all normal, and our team supports children with understanding, patience, and the experience that comes from years of caring for young people.

When Homesickness Happens

Homesickness almost always appears in the first 1–3 days. For a child, it can feel overwhelming, especially if they’ve never been away from home before. During the day, they may be busy and happy, but evenings and early mornings can be more emotional.

This is why our House Parents are trained to recognise even the smallest signs of struggle. They gently guide students through those difficult moments, offering comfort, conversation, and reassurance. And then something magical happens: By day three, most students are smiling, laughing, and forming friendships they never expected.

Homesickness becomes resilience. Uncertainty becomes confidence. And this small moment of growth becomes a huge step forward in their independence.

How We Create a Safe, Warm Space

We are incredibly fortunate to have a team who return year after year. For them, Whitgift feels like a second home and your child will feel that warmth the moment they walk through the boarding house doors.

Our House Parents make sure students:

• feel welcome and included
• have chances to make new friends
• enjoy communal spaces that feel lively and relaxed
• develop good habits like punctuality, tidiness, and teamwork
• follow daily routines that help them feel settled and secure

These simple, consistent moments build confidence, respect, and harmony within the house. The result? A place that feels safe, familiar, and genuinely joyful.

Why We Do What We Do

We go the extra mile because we care deeply about young people.
We want them to discover strengths they didn’t know they had.
We want them to feel braver, happier, more resilient.
We want them to make memories that stay with them for years.

Your trust means everything to us. And we are honoured to play a part in your child’s journey.