Choosing to board
But why board? This question is best answered by the students themselves. Both from recent surveys and from our own experience of talking with boarders, we would suggest that they have many reasons for valuing their boarding experience. They value the special friendships that are developed at QE, and tend to remain close friends with fellow boarders into adulthood and, in many cases, for life. They also value the qualities of community life and the lessons learnt about relationships in a community. These are vital lessons for later life and careers. 'It makes you less selfish' explains an 18-year-old girl boarder.

Many students choose to board because they know that all their interests and activities are available in the school, and they do not need to travel in congested urban environments to develop their extracurricular interests. Many parents consider boarding when, after doing their sums, they realise what value for money it represents, especially when both parents are pursuing professional careers.

Accessibility
Many of our boarders live within an hour's drive of QE. However due to our many excellent facilities we attract ever increasing numbers of boarders from throughout the UK and the international community. Individual telephones in every bedroom allow all our boarders to easily receive international and national calls from their parents and friends. These bedroom telephones can also make outgoing national calls. There are separate special telephones in each Boarding complex to allow overseas students to make international calls. The internet has revolutionised communication between boarders and their families. Our Internet Café allows everyone to utilise email to its fullest extent.