Our Boarding Houses

All boarding schools say their boarding houses are like a family, but ours really are!

In each house, a group of up to 10 pupils of different nationalities live together with the houseparents and their families - which means our houseparents really can have plenty of time for everyone.

Church House

Girls’ Boarding House

It is not know exactly when Church was built, but the oldest part is estimated to have been erected in 1600. There are many famous stories concerning the house, one being that Charles Dickens once stayed here, writing one of his novels – Barnaby Rudge.

Church House is run by Mr and Mrs Leroux. Mrs Leroux is the Head of French at Chigwell School and also teaches Spanish. Mr Leroux is an adventure tourism guide who has worked across North America and Europe guiding kayak, cycle tours and skiing. Church House aims to provide a nurturing and open environment where different cultures are shared and celebrated. The girls work hard, and we aspire that they feel at home and well supported in their academic journey at Chigwell School.

Hainault House

Boys’ Boarding House

Hainault House was built in 1874 in grand Victorian Gothic style and is run by Mr and Mrs Rabbitte, who have a young family. Mr Rabbitte is the Head of Geography at Chigwell School and his wife is a qualified social worker.

Hainault House promotes an environment where students can flourish both academically and pastorally. They practice a firm but fair, and usually fun approach to boarding, to ensure that the boarders get the best support when it comes to their school life and their own personal and emotional safety and wellbeing.

Bright, airy rooms and plenty of room to work and socialise enhance the friendly, family atmosphere that is the hallmark of Hainault House. It enjoys the advantage of being at the front of the School and is surrounded by a large garden, where barbecues are a feature of the summer term.

Harsnett's

Boys’ Boarding House

Harsnett’s takes its name from the Founder of the School, Archbishop Samuel Harsnett, Archbishop of York and Master of Pembroke College Cambridge, who founded the School in 1629 as a school for the poor boys of the parish when he was vicar here. Harsnett’s is a family home run by Mr and Mrs Saunders, who live there with their three children. Mr Saunders teaches Mathematics and is the Director of Studies. Mrs Saunders teaches French, German and Spanish, and is responsible for English as an Additional Language (EAL) for Year 12.