Sedbergh: A Home-Away-From-Home for Military Families
Sedbergh has long been a home-away-from-home for the children of military families. Having announced its new status as a CEA+ 10% school, the School’s commitment has never been stronger.
For Sedbergh’s Chief Operating Officer, who served nearly 36 years as a Royal Artillery officer and whose daughter attended Sedbergh from Prep through to Sixth Form, this announcement is deeply personal. “As a military parent, you need stability, consistency, and a sense of belonging for your children,” he explains. “Sedbergh gave my daughter all of that — and more. She grew in confidence without arrogance, developed resilience through sport, and formed friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Sedbergh’s full-boarding model makes it especially well-suited to service families. With 98% of pupils boarding, weekends are full of activity rather than empty corridors, and no child is left behind when others return home. “There is a huge difference between a school that offers full boarding and a full boarding school,” he reflects. “At Sedbergh, it’s a genuine seven-day-a-week community. In-house dining helps to build a strong House family and on a Sunday morning, hundreds of pupils are still here, fully engaged. For military parents, that makes all the difference.”
He also highlights the pastoral support that gives reassurance during deployments. “When I was in Iraq or Afghanistan, it mattered that the house staff understood the pressures of service life. They made sure my daughter was supported — not over-protected, but given the right care and encouragement to thrive.”
Military families face unique challenges when deciding how to educate their children, often weighing up repeated relocations against the continuity of boarding. Sedbergh’s values — humility, ambition, resilience and kindness — provide the stable foundation military families seek. “What makes Sedbergh stand out,” the COO adds, “is not just the setting or the facilities, but the people. The staff live the values every day, and the pupils do too. That sense of family is what makes Sedbergh such a good fit for service children.”
Earlier this year, Sedbergh was evaluated by the ISI, and the School’s boarding provision was recognised as a significant strength — a rare accolade from the inspector and a testament to the depth and quality of our full-boarding environment. Now, with its new CEA+ 10% status, Sedbergh continues its long tradition of welcoming military families, providing not just an education but a home where children can grow, belong, and flourish.