Children make significant progress from their starting points. For example, children new to boarding quickly grow in confidence, they go on to establish positive relationships, become more sociable and take part in many activities. To ensure a comprehensive boarding experience for their students, they offer a wide range of organised weekly activities for boys to take part in. 

^{A direct quote cited in our latest Ofsted report in 2023.}

Free time in the Boarding House

We give students access to table tennis, pool tables, foosball, darts, and television within the living accommodation at Fraser Youens. Boarders also have the ability to sign out board games, cards, or video game consoles to enjoy during their downtime after school.

Junior Activities

Junior activity runs for Year 7 & 8's on Monday to Thursday between 5.15pm and 6.00pm. These sessions are run by our team of boarding tutors, who bring their own expertise and passions to the house. Activities change with the seasons and adapt based on boarders' preferences, including options such as football, video games, basketball, dodgeball, card and board games, and badminton (to name a few!).

Senior Activities

Senior activities for Year 9 to 11 run from Monday to Thursday between 6.00pm and 6.50pm. As boarders get older and demands on their time increase, we give them greater autonomy to plan activities around their growing schedules. Senior students have the option to opt out of activities on certain days to facilitate off-site training sessions or other personal commitments, helping them learn to balance their time effectively.

Boarders from Year 9 upwards are also able to use the gym during their downtime, provided they have completed a gym induction and hold a membership (which is available at a discounted rate for Fraser Youens boarders).

Whole House Activities

Whole House activities run throughout the year, providing a valuable opportunity to come together and socialize or compete across all age groups. Sometimes run by staff and other times by prefects, all boarders are expected to take part in these events as a core part of house life. Activities range from team challenges to larger sessions such as house cookery and quizzes.

All boarders also have the option to go swimming twice a week during a lifeguarded session between 6.00pm and 7.00pm, where they can enjoy the pool at their own leisure.

Weekend (Full Boarding) Activities

For those staying over the weekend, the Sports Hall is available on Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Boarders can take part in a variety of student-led sporting activities, including handball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and football.

Weekend Trips

Across the year, we run a whole host of exciting weekend trips for our boarders. Outings include visits to Longridge Activity Centre, Paintballing, Go Karting, the Cinema, and Thorpe Park, as well as major whole-house trips into London to see a show or to Oxford for ice skating and the Christmas lights.

School Activities

Main school practices, clubs, and societies run during lunchtimes and after school. Boarders are strongly encouraged to take up as many of these co-curricular opportunities as possible to get involved in the wider school community.

Music Activities

Music lessons take place in the Main School Music Department and times will vary depending on the music teacher’s availability. The boys will have access to the school music facilities after school until 6.00pm and, depending on age and musical instrument, they can practice in the House or Dining Room extension from 8.00am to 8.30am, 4.00pm to 7.00pm and 9.00pm to 10.00pm.