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Most boarding schools can offer a sports centre, a theatre and a music department. Far fewer can offer a surf lesson at Perranporth beach on Sunday morning, a Duke of Edinburgh expedition across Bodmin Moor the following weekend, and a performance at the clifftop Minack Theatre before the term is out.
Choosing a boarding school is about finding the right environment for a young person to learn, grow and discover what they are capable of. At Truro School, that experience is shaped by a welcoming boarding community, a broad academic and co-curricular programme, and the many opportunities that come with living and learning in Cornwall.
Set within 40 acres of grounds overlooking Truro Cathedral, Truro School offers boarders a distinctive combination of school life and the experiences of the wider county. From surfing and sailing to exploring Cornwall’s coast and countryside, visiting its cultural attractions and taking part in local sporting activities, there is plenty to discover beyond the classroom.
Alongside these experiences, boarders benefit from the same academic opportunities, excellent teaching and breadth of activities that are central to life at Truro School.
One of the many benefits of boarding at Truro School is the opportunity to make the most of Cornwall’s remarkable natural environment.
With its extensive coastline, beautiful beaches, open countryside and distinctive landscapes, Cornwall provides an inspiring setting in which to explore, try new activities and develop new interests.
For boarders, weekends offer the chance to experience much more of the county. Whether learning to surf, heading out on a coastal walk, trying paddleboarding for the first time or visiting one of Cornwall’s many attractions, the activities programme offers something for a wide range of interests.
The boarding activities programme makes the most of everything Cornwall has to offer, with opportunities including:
Water sports: Surfing at Perranporth, kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing at Loe Beach.
Outdoor adventures: Cycling the Camel Trail, coasteering, horse riding, quad biking and exploring the South West Coast Path.
Exploring Cornwall: Visits to the Eden Project, Tate St Ives, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Hall for Cornwall and boat trips along the River Fal.
The school has its own fleet of minibuses and works with local activity providers to help boarders access a varied programme of experiences throughout the year.
These opportunities are about more than simply having fun. Trying something new, exploring unfamiliar places and spending time with friends all help young people develop independence, confidence and a sense of adventure.
"The boarding activities programme makes the most of everything Cornwall has to offer, with opportunities including water sports, outdoor adventure and exploring Cornwall."
Outdoor adventure is also an important part of the wider co-curricular experience at Truro School.
The school has a strong Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, with well over 100 pupils achieving Bronze, Silver or Gold awards each year. Cornwall and the South West provide an excellent setting for training and expeditions, with the South West Coast Path, Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor all within reach. Gold expeditions also take students to the Brecon Beacons.
Pupils also take part in the Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor, preparing for routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles.
Through these experiences, pupils develop resilience, teamwork, self-reliance and the confidence to take on challenges – qualities that stay with them well beyond their school years.
Sport is an important part of life at Truro School. Whether a pupil is already passionate about a particular sport or keen to try something new, there are opportunities to participate, develop skills and enjoy being part of a team.
The Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre provides an excellent base for sporting activity. Named after one of the school’s most distinguished former pupils, the centre reflects a strong sporting tradition and a commitment to helping young people discover and develop their potential.
Boarders can make use of the school’s sporting facilities beyond the normal school day, with opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities.
For pupils who want to take their sport further, school teams compete at county, regional and national level, alongside regular fixtures against other schools. There is also plenty of encouragement for those who are discovering a new interest or simply want to enjoy being active and involved.
Boarding also provides opportunities to become part of the wider Truro community. Pupils are encouraged to explore local clubs and activities, including Truro Rugby Club, Truro Tennis Club, Truro Basketball Club, Truro Fencing Club and Truro Hockey Club.
For some, this provides a route to develop an existing sporting passion. For others, it is an opportunity to try something different, meet new people and become involved in life beyond school.
Music is a vibrant part of school life, with more than 60 concerts and performances taking place each year.
From learning an instrument for the first time to performing in an orchestra, ensemble or band, pupils have opportunities to develop their musical interests at every stage.
The music department offers a wide range of ensembles and orchestras, including strings, brass, rock bands and jazz groups, alongside individual instrumental and vocal tuition.
Pupils can access individual tuition in piano, organ, guitar, voice and a wide range of orchestral instruments. Regular concerts and informal performances provide opportunities for musicians of all abilities to share their work with others and build confidence on stage.
Music is also a particularly collaborative part of school life. The annual boarding charity concert, for example, is organised entirely by pupils, who take responsibility for everything from auditions and the programme to tickets and refreshments.
Boarders are encouraged to become involved in the wider musical life of the school, with the boarding timetable designed to accommodate rehearsals and performances.
Music also connects with other creative opportunities at Truro School. The music and drama departments work together on major school productions, while pupils can pursue LAMDA qualifications in Musical Theatre alongside their instrumental studies.
Whether performing, composing, rehearsing or supporting a production behind the scenes, pupils have opportunities to explore their creativity and develop confidence through music.
Drama offers pupils another way to explore their interests, develop confidence and work creatively with others.
At Truro School, opportunities extend from classroom learning and LAMDA examinations to major school productions and performances further afield.
The 200-seat Burrell Theatre provides a dedicated performance space for productions, rehearsals and other events. It also gives pupils opportunities to explore the technical side of theatre, including sound, lighting and stage management.
The annual whole-school play or musical, held in November, is a highlight of the school calendar. Recent productions have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and Chicago.
Boarding pupils are encouraged to attend and support school productions, making these occasions part of the wider boarding community’s shared experience.
Pupils interested in developing their performance skills can work towards LAMDA qualifications in: Acting, Public Speaking or Speaking Verse and Prose.
Drama helps young people develop skills that extend well beyond the stage, including communication, collaboration, adaptability and the confidence to express themselves.
A strong academic education is at the heart of life at Truro School. We want every pupil to be challenged, supported and encouraged to make the most of their abilities.
Our approach combines high expectations with an understanding of each pupil as an individual. Small class sizes and teachers who know their pupils well help create an environment where young people can ask questions, develop their interests and receive support when they need it.
For boarders, this academic experience is complemented by a structured approach to study and the support of the boarding team.
Time for independent study is built into the boarding routine, helping pupils develop good habits and take increasing responsibility for their learning.
Support includes:
We believe a great education is about more than examination results. Academic progress matters, and we are proud to be in the 10% nationally for A-Level value added, but so too do the experiences, relationships and opportunities that help young people become confident, capable and compassionate individuals.
At Truro School, academic, co-curricular and pastoral development are all important parts of the educational experience. For boarders, this means being able to pursue academic interests while also taking part in sport, music, drama, outdoor activities and the many other opportunities available across the school.
It is this breadth of experience, alongside the support of teachers and boarding staff, that helps pupils make the most of their time at Truro School.
At the heart of a positive boarding experience is a sense of belonging. Our two boarding houses, Malvern and Trennick, provide welcoming environments where pupils can relax, spend time with friends and enjoy being part of a close-knit community.
Each house has its own character, with communal spaces that give boarders room to study, socialise and unwind.
Malvern House is home to girls and has 22 bedrooms, a large kitchen, comfortable sofas and a welcoming lounge area.
Trennick House is home to boys and has 39 bedrooms, two separate lounge areas, a kitchen and a central location within the school.
Both houses have communal kitchens, games rooms, common rooms and laundry facilities, helping pupils develop independence and take responsibility for their everyday routines.
Each house is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress and a Resident House Tutor, with at least two members of staff on duty each evening. Our boarding staff play an important role in school life, providing guidance, encouragement and support while helping to create an environment in which every boarder feels known and valued.
Families have different needs, and boarding arrangements can reflect that. Truro School offers three options:
These options provide families with flexibility as their circumstances and needs change.
Moving away from home to attend boarding school is an important step, both for pupils and their families. We recognise how important it is that every boarder feels supported, settled and part of the community.
The boarding team works closely with pupils, taking an active interest in their wellbeing, friendships, interests and progress. From organising weekend activities to supporting pupils at school productions and events, boarding staff are an integral part of everyday school life.
Our aim is to create a boarding environment where young people feel at home, develop independence and build friendships that last well beyond their school years.
Every young person is different, and choosing a boarding school is a personal decision. We encourage families to look beyond facilities and prospectuses and consider the environment in which their child will feel happy, supported and able to flourish.
At Truro School, boarding brings together a strong academic education, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities and the distinctive experiences that come with living in Cornwall.
From the classroom to the sports field, from the stage to the coast, pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, take on new challenges and discover what they are capable of.
Our boarding community is an important part of the wider Truro School community. We would love to show you what makes it special.
If you would like to find out more about boarding in Cornwall, we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit. You can meet our boarding team, explore Malvern and Trennick and discover more about the opportunities available to our boarders.
Contact our Admissions team to arrange a visit, request a prospectus or talk to us about full, weekly and flexi boarding.
We would like to take this opportunity to Thank You and all the team for the great time xx had at Truro School! The time has been amazing for her and the support she has received from all sides was outstanding. We always felt our daughter is in the best hands. Remarkable for me was her last sentence, mentioned to me, at the end of Summer Half Term break when returning to Truro: “Mum now I am flying back home!”
She fully enjoyed the time in boarding, academically and co-curricular. She learned and enjoyed new subjects and sports, especially netball and she made a lot of new friendships.
Please use the links below to view our boarding handbook.
To translate, please copy, click on the link below and paste into Google Translate.
French: Déclaration de principes et de pratiques de l’internat. Pour traduire, veuillez copier et coller dans Google Translate.
German: Erklärung zu Grundsätzen und Vorgehensweisen beim Boarding. Zum Übersetzen bitte kopieren und in Google Translate einfügen.
Chinese: 寄宿原則與實務聲明。如需翻譯，請複製並貼上到Google翻譯中。
Cantonese: 登機原則同實務聲明。如要翻譯，請複製貼上 Google 翻譯。
Russian: Boarding Statement of Principles & Practice. Для перевода скопируйте и вставьте в Google Translate.
Ukranian: Заява про принципи та практику посадки. Щоб перекласти, скопіюйте та вставте в Google Translate.
Hindi: बोर्डिंग सिद्धांतों और अभ्यास का विवरण। अनुवाद करने के लिए, कृपया नीचे दिए गए अनुलग्नक को कॉपी करके Google अनुवाद में पेस्ट करें।
Arabic: بيان المبادئ والممارسات الخاصة بالصعود إلى الطائرة. للترجمة، يرجى نسخ ولصق المرفق أدناه في Google Translate.
Italian: Dichiarazione di principi e prassi di imbarco. Per tradurre, si prega di copiare e incollare l’allegato sottostante in Google Translate.
We are committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and to maintaining the highest standards in our relationships with education agents. We support the AQF principles of transparency, ethical practice, and informed student choice.
Our school motto, Esse Quam Videri (to be, rather than to seem to be), captures the essence of our identity and is defined by the 5 C's below. Underpinned by strong Christian principles, we are a caring and inclusive community which values, nurtures and develops each individual.
Click on the links below to find out more.
Curiosity to always want to discover and learn more, academically and more widely too.
Because we believe that academic excellence is an important part of human excellence. Every child is an individual and we celebrate and develop their uniqueness, helping them to become an independent learner and encouraging each child to explore, understand and cultivate their talent and abilities, whatever they may be.
Compassion to understand and champion the needs of others, in our community and beyond.
Because our mission challenges us to be a vibrant community which enables people to live their lives to the full and transform society for the better. Located in the heart of Cornwall, our distinctive, serene location supports the development of balanced, unpretentious and reflective children who understand their role as global citizens.
Confidence to build resilience by learning from both successes and failures alike.
Because we want every pupil to be comfortable in their own skin, celebrating the uniqueness of each individual in the school community. Through drama, presenting and public speaking opportunities, as well as appearing in productions and concerts, pupils learn key communication skills and gain the confidence to prosper in the real world.
Creativity to be imaginative in how we express ourselves and approach new challenges.
Because we value the development of pupils’ imaginative and creative dimensions as well as their characters. Through a broad curriculum and wide range of co-curricular activities, pupils discover the important balance between creative and logical thinking. These opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter discovers their hidden gifts, developing a sense of individuality and a confidence in their own abilities.
Courage to enjoy becoming the very best of who we are, with integrity and ambition.
Because we believe that essential life skills are often best taught outside of the classroom, balancing an academic education. Through a wide-ranging co-curricular programme, we offer every child the chance to participate, perform and lead in the fields of their choice. In a competitive world these opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter develops essential life skills and an ambition for life.
Truro School is part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST)
MIST Registered Office: 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LH
Charity No. 1142794
Company No. 7649422
