The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) has awarded Felsted, a boarding and day school for pupils aged four to 18 situated in the North Essex countryside, the esteemed ‘Sleep Champion’ status.
The award follows BSA’s comprehensive audit of the school’s facilities and bedtime routines, underscoring Felsted’s dedication to fostering a healthy sleep culture within its boarding community.
Felsted’s Head of Boarding, Mr Francis Barrett, who successfully completed the requisite courses and documentation with the BSA, expressed his delight at this recognition; “I am thrilled that we have received this award, as it acknowledges our ongoing commitment to educating our pupils on the importance of sleep. This is a testament to the work that we do to make Felsted an exceptional boarding school”.
Life at a boarding school presents unique opportunities for young people, one of which is the chance to achieve their sleep goals in a supportive environment. Scientific research has consistently demonstrated that quality sleep is crucial for daily functioning, leading to healthier and happier lives. Mr David Paine, House Master of the Prep boarding house at Felsted, remarked, “Often, it is the child who asks their parents if they can board at school when they see how much fun their boarding friends are having. A positive boarding experience builds confidence and independence. Our boarding culture is central to the holistic education we provide, helping children become resilient, tolerant, and well-prepared for the next stage of their education.”
Boarding schools are renowned for providing a holistic education, promoting social connections, life satisfaction, and improved academic outcomes. Felsted also places great emphasis on creating a family-like, comfortable, and fun environment. This setting allows children to learn, make friends, and engage face-to-face, which is increasingly rare in today’s digital age.
Boarding at Felsted offers a managed environment that addresses common adolescent issues. In a nurturing atmosphere, Felsted pupils can relax into bedtime routines that reduce anxiety and provide a calming wind-down before lights out, free from screens and the fear of missing out.
Mr Barrett highlighted how good sleeping habits positively impact all areas of life. “We often focus on structured bedtime routines for young babies; we must not forget this when children reach adolescence. A consistent night-time routine and limiting technology in the boarding house are key to better sleep,” he advised.
Teenage brains need approximately nine hours of sleep each night to function effectively. Despite resting, the body and brain are busy performing essential biological functions during sleep; communication and reorganisation among nerve cells increase, memories are consolidated, and energy is restored. Sleep before learning prepares the brain for memory formation, while sleep after learning helps cement new information, making it less likely to be forgotten. When we are learning, we need more sleep.
Felsted Head, Chris Townsend commented; “We are committed to ongoing education about the benefits of a good night’s sleep, aiming to enhance sleep awareness and improve pupil well-being. The ‘Sleep Champion’ status is a significant milestone in our mission to support our pupils’ health and academic success through better sleep practices”.
Felsted School recently won Boarding School of the Year 2023 at the TES Schools Awards and in March 2024 was appointed by IB-Schools.com as ‘A Top 20 UK IB School for 2023’ for excellence in academic achievement. To learn more about boarding at Felsted, visit www.felsted.org/boarding.
