HCS to open new international boarding house
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Hereford Cathedral School, one of the oldest schools in Britain, is to open a new international boarding house where overseas students will enjoy the
benefits of an outstanding education and the friendly culture of a traditional British school.
The magnificent Georgian residence will be a comfortable, happy home for pupils, set within five acres of luscious Herefordshire countryside, a range of recreational facilities and friendly residential staff to help them relax in a warm, family atmosphere. Hereford Cathedral School, which completed the purchase of How Caple Grange last week, will start refurbishment of the former country house hotel this summer. Accommodation will be single, twin and dorm-style rooms for up to four students. Boarding pupils can share friendly evening meals together in the quaint oak-panelled dining room and relax in a large lounge and games room.
As well as a broad range of extracurricular activities accessed through school, students will enjoy film and quiz nights, trips to local attractions, events and a full programme of social activities at weekends. Transport is provided to and from school and shopping is in nearby Hereford city.
Two exceptional members of staff have been appointed for the new boarding house. Housemistress Pippa Fowler (pictured above left), also Teacher of Maths at Hereford Cathedral School, will reside here with husband Richard – a former pupil of the school – and their two young children who also attend the school. Pippa brings with her a wealth of experience from boarding schools,such as historic Rugby School where she was Assistant Housemistress. As a Cambridge graduate of engineering she will also play a key role in preparing overseas pupils for university.
Tutor in Residence will be Ralph Carr, Teacher of Business Studies & Economics (pictured above right), whose extraordinary career before teaching as Manager at a 300-bedroom top London hotel has made him best-placed to understand the expectations and cultural diversity of a new community of overseas pupils residing in Hereford. A matron in residence will also be appointed in the Autumn.
Describing her excitement at being back in a boarding environment, Mrs Fowler added that the family’s springer spaniel will also be ecstatic because of the many cuddles he hopes to get. “Since moving to Hereford I have missed working within a boarding environment so I was delighted when I heard of the plans to establish an international boarding house at How Caple,” she said.
“The site is a perfect setting for the school whilst the Georgian architecture of the building makes it feel steeped in tradition. I am looking forward to welcoming a diverse group of international students.
I have always enjoyed travelling and worked alongside many different nationalities during the six years I spent as an officer in the Royal Engineers prior to my teaching career.
“The whole Fowler family are looking forward to this new adventure, especially Eddie our springer spaniel who has missed the endless attention he was given whilst living in a boarding house!”
Mr Carr, who holds prestigious hospitality service awards and whose London hotel ethos was the promise of a “brilliant” stay for each and every guest, said: “My hospitality experience has provided me with invaluable insight into the varying needs, cultural differences and expectations of guests from all over the world.
“We know that we have much to offer international students, and conversely that international students have much to offer our pupils, not least in helping to prepare them for the increasing globalised world that they will enter on leaving our school. I am delighted that our current international programme is set to expand and we will give a very warm welcome to Hereford to students from a broad range of countries.”
To enquire about international boarding at Hereford Cathedral School please contact Mr Stuart Higgins on +44 (0)1432 363522.