We are delighted to share with you the news that we have launched a new day option starting from September 2026. This new day option will be introduced incrementally and will sit alongside our existing day-boarding (the new term for the current day offer which is boarding House based) and boarding options.
From September 2026, pupils entering Faulkner’s and the Lower Sixth will be able to choose between the following three distinctive offerings.
We are holding information events in early December for prospective parents now considering Bradfield and looking for Y9 entry 2026 onwards or Y12 entry in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope the following FAQs will help to explain how the new day option will be introduced in the academic year 2026-27, and further developed in 2027-28. We will add additional questions in response to feedback from parents and the discussions that we have within the context of the forthcoming parent forum Q&A sessions.
Will those entering Faulkner's on the new day option in 2026 be full members of the house?
Yes. All pupils entering Faulkner’s will be full members of the house. Day pupils will have access to the Common Room facilities although they will not be allocated study desks or a bed. The social benefits of bringing the whole year group together as they begin their journey with us are significant and an essential aspect of our Faulkner’s model. Being together serves to enable the formation of enduring friendships across the year group for both day and boarding students.
Will Faulkner’s day pupils become members of our Senior Boarding Houses as they enter Shell in September 2027?
No. Day pupils will become members of a Day House in September 2027. This will welcome pupils in both Shell and the Sixth Form. The opening of a new house is an exciting moment in any school’s history. Of course, here at Bradfield, it has been successfully accomplished on numerous occasions in the past. The ambition will be for this house to become a highly collegiate and outstandingly competitive force right at the heart of Bradfield’s community.
What will the arrangements be for Lower Sixth Formers electing for the new day option in 2026?
In 2026, any Lower Sixth Formers choosing to become a day student will remain with their current boarding house initially. In the Upper Sixth, they will have the opportunity to become the founding members of the new Day House with all the leadership responsibilities that this will entail.
Why are you limiting access to the new day offering to pupils entering Faulkner’s and the Lower Sixth in 2026?
We are committed to ensuring that the new day offering becomes an outstanding option. Consequently, it is essential that we implement it incrementally, carefully, and with sufficient time to make the infrastructural changes necessary to ensure its sustained success.
Is it your intention to make this option available to all year groups by September 2027?
Yes. Currently, we are minded to introduce the new day fee option for all other year groups in September 2027.
What are the benefits of day-boarding?
‘Boarders who sleep at home’ remains an immensely attractive and convenient option for those families who want their children to benefit from full immersion in the boarding life of our community. We know that the opportunity to eat all meals in College and benefit from study space and occasional overnight stays in the boarding house will continue to be the preferential choice for many of our current families.
Will my child be a fully integrated member of the College community if they are a day pupil?
Yes. They will start their journey with us in Faulkner’s and will benefit from becoming members of the newly formed day house as they progress up through the school with access to all areas of the College’s co-curricular and academic life.
Do you intend to introduce additional daily bus routes?
Yes, we have been listening to our current and prospective parents very carefully and, in the New Year, we intend to announce a schedule of bus services which will serve families in the locality.
Will the number of day pupils be capped?
We are committed to ensuring an outstanding quality of experience, so a cap will be in place. Furthermore, places are limited due to the overall capacity of College and our resolve to continue embracing a very strong boarding ethos.
What type of evening activity can Day pupils access?
Our Day pupils will have access to any structured activity timetabled for after 6.30pm. Parents will be responsible for collecting pupils at the time the activity ends.
