A Historic Milestone: Opening Our First Girls’ Boarding House
St John’s Beaumont is proud to mark a defining moment in the school’s 138‑year history: the opening of our very first girls’ boarding house. Having welcomed girls into the school for the first time in 2023, this next step represents an exciting evolution in our journey as a fully co‑educational community.
The decision to accelerate the launch of girls’ boarding comes in response to strong admissions demand and the clear desire from families for high‑quality boarding provision for girls at St John’s. Originally planned for later in the year, the school has moved swiftly to open the temporary boarding house at the start of the summer term, an achievement made possible by the dedication of staff who transformed the space over the Easter break.
Hear From The Girls
Having caught up with Nicolette, Bani and MC, it was wonderful to hear just how quickly they are settling into their new space, affectionately described by the girls themselves as their “home away from home”. They spoke with real excitement about their favourite touches, from the cosy blankets to the treasured toys that now sit proudly in their new rooms.
Evenings have already become a cherished part of their routine, with the girls gathering for evening activities, night prayer and time to relax together. In the years ahead we are excited to see friendships made for life through our girls boarding programme.
Creating A Home Away from home
At the heart of this milestone is Samantha Suddery, our much‑loved matron here at St John’s, who has played an instrumental role in shaping the new boarding environment. We are pleased to share that Samantha has been newly appointed Head of Girl’s Boarding and has been worked tirelessly to ensure the girls’ boarding house feels like a true home away from home: warm, nurturing, and thoughtfully designed around the needs of the girls who will live there. Her commitment to creating a space where girls feel safe, supported, and inspired has already made a profound impact.
A Significant Step in Our Co-Educational Growth
The opening of girls’ boarding is a symbolic moment that reflects the school’s confidence, momentum, and vision for the future. With twelve new pupils joining the school this term, five of them boarders, the enthusiasm surrounding girls’ boarding is clear. This moment stands as a testament to the strength of the St John’s community, the dedication of our staff, and the bright future ahead for our co‑educational journey.
We look forward to welcoming families to learn more about our plans later this term and to meeting prospective girl boarders at our upcoming Open Day on Friday 22 May at 9:15am. St John’s Beaumont has always been a place where tradition and innovation meet. Today, we celebrate a milestone that honours our heritage while opening the door to an exciting new chapter
A Message From Our Head Master and Head of Boarding
“The opening of our first girls’ boarding wing marks a truly significant moment in the history of St John’s Beaumont. It has been wonderful to see how quickly the girls have settled into the warmth and community of boarding life, already creating friendships and memories together. This new chapter reflects our commitment to providing a nurturing, supportive, and enriching environment where every pupil can feel at home and flourish.” – Shaun Hutchinson-Lawson (Head of Boarding).
“It is a truly historic moment in the school’s history and one that highlights our total commitment to ensuring St John’s is a truly co-educational day and boarding school” – Mr Philip Barr (Head Master).
