Boarding School for Girls | Marymount International School London

Boarding at Marymount

A premier all-girls boarding school on the outskirts of London

Since our founding, Marymount has been dedicated to empowering young women to achieve academic success, personal growth, and lifelong friendships.  With students from over 30  nationalities, Marymount is truly international in outlook and inclusive in spirit.  Here you daughter won’t just receive an outstanding education – she’ll join a vibrant  community, developing independence, confidence, and a truly global world perspective. 

“I love the boarding community as it teaches young women to become independent and hard-working whilst creating a family-like atmosphere around us all.”

Kiana, Marymount Boarder

 

Why Choose Boarding at Marymount?

At Marymount, boarding is more than just where you live – it’s where you belong.  As one of the few small, independent girls’ boarding schools in London, we offer a close knit, supportive environment where every student is known, valued and supported to achieve her full potential.  Here, girls from over 40 nationalities share in a truly global education – one that prepares them for life at the world’s leading universities and beyond.

A Home Away from Home

In our modern, secure boarding houses, boarders enjoy well-appointed bedrooms, communal lounges, study areas and peaceful gardens – an environment that balances focus with freedom and independence.  Each student is part of a diverse and supportive community where cultural differences are celebrated and lifelong friendships are forged.

Flexible Boarding to Suit Every Family

At Marymount, we understand that families have different needs.  Our boarding options are designed with flexibility and convenience in mind:

  • Full Boarding:  offers a complete boarding experience, ideal for international students or those who wish to immerse themselves fully in school life.
  • Weekly Boarding:  allows students to immerse themselves in school life during the week while enjoying weekends at home.
  • Flexi Boarding:  provides a  practical solution for busy families, offering the benefits of boarding on selected days, as needed.

Whichever option you choose, your daughter will be supported by our expert boarding staff, who ensure that every girls feels included, cared for and inspired to succeed.

Academic and Co-Curricular Excellence

Marymount girls enjoy a rich blend of academic challenge and personal development.  As part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, our students are encouraged to think critically, act compassionately, and embrace global citizenship.  Mentorship, teamwork, and leadership are integral to the Marymount experience – helping each girls grow in confidence, independence and compassion.

Boarders participate in a wide variety of clubs, sports, arts and leadership opportunities.  Through our Boarding Council, students take on leadership roles, plan community events, and make their voices heard – preparing them for future success in university and beyond.

Opportunities include:

  • Mentoring and leadership roles within the boarding community
  • Cultural and educational trips around London and the UK
  • Music, theatre, art and athletic programmes
  • Volunteering and service learning projects

London on Your Doorstep

As one of the only boarding schools in London, Marymount provides students with unparalleled access to a wide range of cultural opportunities.

Our location in Kingston upon Thames offers our students the best of both worlds – a traditional boarding school experience in a green and peaceful setting, yet with easy reach of London museums, theatres, galleries, historic landmarks, parks, gardens and shopping.

  • 20 minutes from Central London
  • Near Richmond Park, Wimbledon and Heathrow Airport
  • Easy access via local rail and bus routes.

Guided by Values:  Our Boarding Principles

Marymount’s boarding philosophy is rooted in trust, respect and care.  Our community celebrates unity in diversity, encouraging every girls to find her voice and to value the perspective of others.

Our Core Principles

  • Mutual respect and equality for all
  • Emotional and physical safety in a nurturing environment
  • Open communication and inclusivity across culture and beliefs
  • Personal and spiritual growth supported by dedicated staff
  • Teamwork, leadership, and responsibility within the boarding community.

At Marymount, kindness is not just encouraged – it’s expected.  Our goal is to create a supportive environment where every girl can develop confidence, independence and empathy.

Boarding FAQs

What do boarding schools do on weekends?

At Marymount, we create a home-away-from-home experience. Boarders may go on a variety of excursions during the day to experience London, to the trampoline park or swimming, to name a few examples.


What do boarding schools do in the evening?

We have a range of activities our students may participate in. There is a Tuesday knitting circle, board games or movies available. During times of cultural significance, our boarders will learn from each other about these special times in the calendar and share culturally specific food.


Are you allowed phones in boarding school?

We do allow phones in boarding. Our younger students are required to hand over their phones before bedtime in the evenings. We appreciate how tempting having your phone with you can be, but the key to healthy learning is plenty of quality sleep.


What is a full boarding school?

A full boarding school is a type of school where students live on campus during the school year. This means that students eat, sleep, attend campus classes, and do not go home on the weekends or during school breaks. Full boarding schools typically offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, sports, and other programs to keep students engaged and occupied when they are not in class. These schools may also offer academic support and other services to help students succeed.


What is a weekly-boarding school?

A weekly-boarding school is a type of boarding school where students live on campus during the week and go home on the weekends. This allows students to experience the benefits of living at a boarding school, such as access to extracurricular activities and academic support, while still spending time at home with their families. Weekly-boarding schools may also offer a range of activities and programs for students to participate in on the weekends, such as sports teams, clubs, and community service projects. Some weekly-boarding schools may also offer the option for students to stay on campus during the weekends if they prefer.


Where do boarding school students live?

Boarding school students live on campus, in residence halls or dormitories. These are typically shared spaces, where students have their own beds and study areas, but share common spaces such as bathrooms and lounges with other students. Boarding school students are typically supervised by residential staff, who live on campus and are responsible for their well-being and safety. In some cases, students may also have a resident advisor or mentor who provides support and guidance.


What should I bring to boarding school?

Seasonal casual clothing is definitely a must. We also require you to bring an outfit that is more formal in nature for mass on Sundays. We provide bedding on request but also encourage our students to bring their own for a personalised feeling to their rooms. Your own toiletries and décor are also important, but, with Kingston so close, anything forgotten at home can be easily purchased outside of school


What are boarding expenses?

We provide all meals for our boarders including dinner and a late evening snack. Your mobile phone package, any local transport and any additional items you require are for your account.


How does my child prepare for boarding school?

If your child is planning to attend a boarding school, there are several things they can do to prepare. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Talk to your child about what to expect at boarding school, and help them understand why you have chosen this option for their education.
  2. Encourage your child to ask questions and express any concerns they may have.
  3. Help your child get organised and prepared for the move to boarding school, including packing their belongings and making any necessary arrangements for transportation.
  4. Encourage your child to be independent and self-sufficient, as they will need to manage their own schedule and responsibilities at boarding school.
  5. Consider having your child visit the boarding school before they start, so they can get a feel for the campus and meet some of the other students.
  6. Talk to your child about how you will stay in touch and stay involved in their life at boarding school, and make sure they know how to reach you if they need to.


If my child is an International student, will they need a visa?

Full-boarding students who do not hold a British passport and whose main address is overseas, will require a child student visa. After being admitted into the school, parents will be invoiced for one year’s tuition and boarding fees in advance. Upon receipt of payment, students will be issued with a CAS and can use this to apply for their visa. Please be aware that Marymount can only sponsor visas for full-boarding students.


Can my child be given pocket money?

With regards to money, our students may have up to £50 per week. Parents send money to the school, via transfer, and Boarding keeps it for them. Students may pick this money up during set times, twice a week. Should our students need any more, their parents are to provide us with permission to ‘draw’ this out. Our older students use bank cards with parent restrictions and monitoring, such as “go-henry” etc.


How can I contact my daughter?

If you need to speak with your daughter during the school day, you should telephone the Main Switchboard at 0208 949 0571
or email the School Secretary or Reception at schoolsec@marymountlondon.com
or reception@marymountlondon.com. Boarders can be contacted via their own mobiles during after-school and weekend hours; please note – younger grades will have restricted access to their devices in the evening.


How do I make contact with the school as a Parent or Guardian?

As a parent or guardian you will be given the email address of the Head of Boarding and her direct dial number should you have a query regarding your daughter’s care in the Boarding House. Should the concern be more of an academic nature, the student’s Advisor or Head of Year are the first points of contact and can be reached either by calling the main switchboard or emailing them direct.



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