Benenden School has announced some exciting changes that will further improve students’ experience.
From September 2025, the School will be establishing a boarding house dedicated to its two youngest year groups, at the same time as opening a university-style ‘penthouse’ floor for Sixth Formers.
Headmistress Samantha Price said: “I feel very positive indeed about these future changes which I have no doubt will further enhance the pastoral experience of the girls.”
Boarding House for Years 7 and 8
Medway House was established as a dedicated House for the Fourths (Year 7) in 2021 and this has proven so successful that Benenden has taken the decision to expand Medway’s remit.
Starting in September 2025, the two youngest year groups – the Fourth and Upper Fourth (Years 7 and 8) – will be living together in Medway before they move into their Middle School Houses in Lower Fifth (Year 9).
The School outlined several direct benefits to this change:
- It will encourage even greater friendships between girls in these two year groups.
- It will build on the partnership that these two year groups already enjoy across various aspects of Benenden life, including sport, weekend activities and academic initiatives such as the CREATE Diploma and the Electives Programme.
- It will offer the Upper Fourth the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities in Medway.
- It will mean that all the Lower Fifth move into their Middle School House at the same time, which will further enhance the integration of the girls who join Benenden at age 13.
Sixth Form ‘Penthouse’
Owing to popular demand, Benenden will be expanding its Sixth Form and creating a university-style accommodation experience for its eldest students, Six Two (Year 13).
This floor will offer students an even greater degree of independence in readiness for life at university and beyond:
- This will be a self-contained living space at the top of the current Norris House which is being specially refurbished to cater for Sixth Formers.
- It will very much feel like a university halls of residence or shared student house, with its own access and space for up to 18 Six Two students at a time, as well as a communal living area and a kitchen facility.
- Each Six Two student will have the opportunity to apply to live in this floor on rotation, but it is an optional experience – it will be ideal for those students who are ready for a greater degree of responsibility and independence and like the idea of living in the heart of the School, over the Dining Room, near the Library and Music School.
- Students in this accommodation will be supported by a member of pastoral staff and, of course, will remain attached to their Sixth Form House.
For more information contact Admissions.