Sep 2010 - Boarding School the ‘Best Western’ Way
Instead of turning up at their boarding house in September, 15 students at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School checked into the Best Western Reigate Manor Hotel at the beginning of term. They have spent the last three weeks enjoying the three-star accommodation in the Hotel, complete with en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV and tea and coffee making facilities in their room.This slightly unusual approach to boarding school has come about because one of the two new sixth form annexes was not quite finished by the beginning of term. Headmaster Paul D Spencer Ellis explains “We only got the go ahead to open our new Sixth Form in September last year which did not give us very long to build the new accommodation. I’m pleased to say that we completed 21 new study bedrooms for girls by the start of term and the boy’s annexe will be ready this weekend.”
The students have taken it all in their stride. They arrive at the Hotel in the evening after having supper and doing their homework at school, and they return to school in the morning for breakfast. They have enjoyed the extra independence of being in a Hotel but are looking forward to moving in to their brand new en-suite study bedrooms in the Sixth Form boarding annexe at the weekend. 16 year old Connor Clark said “I can’t wait to move into my new room and settle down. If it’s anything like the girls’ rooms, it will be even better than the hotel.” 16 year old Thomas Brown added “The Hotel is comfortable but I am ready to move back. I want to get properly settled in.”
Hotel Director, Graeme Attridge was pleased to welcome the students to the hotel and commented, “Other than ensuring all the rooms were adjacent we had no need to make any other special arrangements as we were aware of the excellent reputation of the school. The boys seem to have made themselves totally at home proving to be model guests, polite and well behaved and a credit to the school”
The boys will be moving into their new boarding accommodation this weekend. Mr Spencer Ellis says, ”I would like to thank the staff at the Reigate Manor Hotel for making the boys so welcome for the last three weeks.”
