Fiona: the path from Summer School to boarding at Sedbergh

Sedbergh’s International Summer School offers a first glimpse of life in a British full-boarding environment. For Year 12 pupil Fiona, from Germany, the experience did far more than introduce new activities and friendships — it gave her the confidence to take the next step and join Sedbergh as a full-time boarder. In this interview, she reflects on the community she discovered, the support she received, and how the Summer School helped her build the independence and ambition she now brings to Sixth Form life.

What stood out to you about Sedbergh when you visited for the International Summer School?

What struck me most during the Summer School was how open, friendly and approachable everyone was. I made friends incredibly quickly, and I was genuinely surprised by the atmosphere — the sense of community, the kindness and the feeling of being welcomed straight away. There was a spirit at Sedbergh that I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.

Were there any moments or activities during the Summer School that made you think, “I could see myself here full-time”?

Yes — definitely the daily life with the other pupils. Living together, sharing experiences and doing things I would never normally do at home really made me think, ‘I could imagine this as my everyday life.’ It was the friendships and the shared routines that made the idea of coming here full-time feel very natural.

How did the Summer School help you build the confidence to travel overseas to Sedbergh to become a boarding pupil?

“The Summer School showed me that I could manage things on my own. I realised that I would always find people I could connect with and that I didn’t need to overthink everything. Knowing that I would be able to settle in, make friends and enjoy my time here gave me a lot of confidence — it really helped me believe that I could take this step.

For German pupils who might be unsure about studying in the UK, what would you say about the Summer School as a way to ‘test’ the experience?

I think it’s a very smart idea to come to the Summer School beforehand. It gives you the chance to ‘test’ the experience in a relaxed way. But I would also say that being here during term time is much more intense — friendships are deeper, the daily routine is very different, and of course you have school and build an entire life here. So the Summer School can absolutely help you decide, but you should remember that the real experience is richer and more demanding. For me, it gave me the final push to take the step.

How did Sedbergh support you during your first weeks as an international boarder?

Everyone was extremely kind and patient with me, especially when it came to the language. We did a lot together in House games, activities and team-building, and on my very first school day we had a team-building event where I immediately met another girl from Germany. That helped a lot, because I knew I had someone I could relate to straight away. All of this made it much easier to integrate into the group.

What subjects are you studying in Year 12, and how have the teachers supported you academically?

“I’m studying Biology, Psychology, Maths and English as an Additional Language, where I will also take the certificate. The teachers are incredibly supportive — you can ask them absolutely anything, and they never make you feel awkward for not understanding something. I sometimes go to the Maths or Biology department to ask questions, and they explain things so well that I usually don’t need to study as much afterwards. It took me a while to get used to asking so many questions, but it has helped me so much.

What opportunities have you enjoyed the most outside the classroom?

I’m very involved in sport — I play hockey, and I’ve discovered a real love for running.

Mr Wells has already signed us up for races, which made me feel really included, even though I’m new and not the fastest runner.

I also help with the upcoming production of Les Misérables by working on the costumes, which I enjoy a lot.

How has Sedbergh helped you grow as a person?

Since coming here, I’ve changed a lot. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, become much more confident and independent, and learned a lot about myself — how I react in different situations and what I need from the people around me. It has been a very intense and valuable experience that I know will help me in the future.

What do your friends back in Germany say when you tell them about Sedbergh?

They are really happy for me — and many of them wish they could be here too! It’s lovely to hear that they’re excited about what I’m experiencing.

Would you recommend the Summer School – and Sedbergh itself – to other pupils in Germany? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend both the Summer School and Sedbergh. The Summer School is a great way to get a first impression, especially if you’re unsure whether boarding abroad is right for you. But you should know that the real school experience is deeper, more intense and ultimately even more rewarding. If you’re brave enough to take the step, it’s completely worth it — and I would encourage anyone who has the chance to try it. I truly believe they would have a fantastic time.