Ipswich school to accept boarders for the first time in its 140 year history

A single boarding room that student will have the opportunity to stay in. Picture: ENVOPLAN (Image: ENVOPLAN)

Ipswich High School, which welcomed 16 boys this September for the first time is now preparing to buy a new building to allow them to take boarders.

The private school, which was opened for the first time in 1878, is now in the process of purchasing its first boarding house at its Woolverstone Hall campus which could see both UK and international students welcomed by the end of next summer.

The Grade II-listed Dairy House which is being targeted by the school, is situated on the edge of the school campus near the St Michael Parish Church.

Head teacher, Oona Carlin, said: “The purchase of our new boarding house comes at an exciting time for us here at Ipswich High School.

A single boarding room that student will have the opportunity to stay in. Picture: ENVOPLAN (Image: ENVOPLAN)

“We have been thrilled at the response we have had from staff, pupils and parents to becoming a co-educational school which operates under the Diamond Model.

“We expect the school to continue to grow and thrive when we welcome boarding students as of next September.”

The school will work with architects and a design company to renovate the property, including its outbuildings and barns, to initially house 16 pupils with additional living space for staff.

There will be single rooms and twin rooms available and, following a second phase of development, the Dairy will house up to 55 pupils.

An areal shot of the Dairy and school. Picture: JACKSON STOPS (Image: JACKSON STOPS)

Planning for this project is currently underway and renovations to the property are due to begin as soon as the sale has been completed in mid-December 2018.

The school currently houses around 500 students and has recently adopted a diamond plan which means that girls and boys go to school together but are educated separately.