Chorister Boarding

 

A nurturing ‘home from home’ at St Paul’s Cathedral School in two dedicated houses for choristers

Boarding at St Paul’s Cathedral School is wonderfully distintive. Our St Paul’s Cathedral choristers, boys and girls aged 7 to13, balance a demanding musical timetable with school life and personal growth in a setting designed for warmth, consistency and care. Choristers live in Martin Kiddle House and Maria Hackett House, both within a carefully restored Grade II listed building. Purpose‑designed dormitories, bright bathrooms and welcoming common rooms create a genuine ‘home from home’. The intimate scale of bedrooms and the soft, domestic feel of shared spaces help our youngest pupils to settle, rest and thrive.

A phased, age‑appropriate start

We recognise that many children are living away from home for the first time. A phased transition supports probationers as they move from part‑time to full‑time boarding when they are ‘made up’ to full choristers. Pre‑arrival tours, buddy letters and a structured mentor system—pairing each new boarder with an experienced chorister—reduce anxiety and build confidence, allowing resilience and independence to grow at a developmentally appropriate pace.

Pastoral care that follows the child

Our boarding staff are specialists in pastoral care and are fully integrated across the school day. This joined‑up communication between classroom, rehearsal, practice and home enables early identification of tiredness, homesickness or workload concerns—vital given early rehearsals and evening services. As chorister Buchi says, “the boarding house team is always there for us when we need them.” The Good Schools Guide describes our provision as “pastorally excellent.”

Calm routines that restore

Evenings are structured and consistent: shared meals, supported prep, quiet creative time and set bedtimes provide security. Weekly programmes balance cultural outings with visits to green spaces so children can decompress from the intensity of Cathedral life.

Voice, belonging and community

Pupil voice is central. Weekly house meetings shape menus, activities and expectations, and our “Boarder of the Week” celebration recognises kindness, effort and community spirit—building independence, mutual respect and a deep sense of belonging.

Access and opportunity and an historic step

Our boarding project opened the choir to musically gifted children from all backgrounds. All choristers receive full bursaries, with means‑tested boarding support to remove financial barriers. This year, for the first time in the choir’s 900‑year history, boarding opened to girls—enriching house life and strengthening the family feel at its heart. As Lila (11) says, boarding feels like being “part of a huge family.”

Together, Martin Kiddle House and Maria Hackett House safeguard the chorister tradition while ensuring every young singer is cared for and able to fulfil their musical and academic potential.