Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2008 | Page 60

life

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
It is said that the average family home contains
2.4 children - if you pay a visit to the Hidden
Jewel in Ryde School's crown, you will find the
average is somewhat greater.

The Hidden Jewel
Nestled amidst 100 acres of
land on the most easterly tip
of the Island, lies the thriving
community of Ryde School's
Bembridge Boarding Campus
(affectionately known as
the BBC).
Although the setting is
quintessentially English, the
students who make this Bailey
Scott designed building their
home bring an international
influence to our Island.
Representatives from over
sixteen countries, happily
share their global experiences
with their local counterparts.
Together, they bring a truly
cosmopolitan feel to this small
corner of the Island, one
which is envied and shared by
an ever increasing number of
the school's day pupils who
choose to stay with us as ‘flexi

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boarders’. Several return on
a regular basis, either to suit
parents’ work commitments,
or to experience one of the
many special events which
happen at the BBC.
The Boarding staff see their
pupils flourish: living with
the students 24/7, watching
them develop from their
arrival as timid youngsters sometimes at the age of 7 - to
their departure to university,
as confident adults, is a great
privilege.
There are more than enough
happy memories and shared
moments of laughter to
compensate for the long
working day or any difficult
moments which may occur
along the way. Add to this the
rich diversity of the boys and
girls, the differing ages, and

you have all the ingredients for
one big happy family unit one of which the boarders are
all extremely proud.
Whilst the exterior of the
house could remind you a little
of Hogwarts, this is where any
similarity ends.
The interior is tastefully
decorated: comfortably
furnished lounges with large
leather sofas, wide screen
televisions; games room with
air hockey, snooker table, table
tennis, games consoles and
table football; fully equipped
gym and much more - all these
are put to very good use every
evening after the boarders have
completed their prep.
The welcoming and homely
house kitchens, where the
boarders make their snacks,
are always full of laughter;

with board games being
played, musical instruments
practised, impromptu football
matches, or house plays and
competitions, there is little
time for anyone to be lonely.
The boarders’ day begins
much as in any large family
home (except, having such a
plentiful supply of facilities
there are few fights over who
gets to the bathroom first).
Rising at 7am, the children
wash, dress and are served
breakfast in our recently
refurbished oak panelled
dining hall, home to an
interesting mural reflecting
the animals entering the ark.
A short journey to the main
campus, and the academic day
begins. The children complete
their day of study and activity
at the Ryde school site, before

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