Boarding at Salisbury Cathedral School: Questions and Answers
What change is the School making?
From September 2027, Salisbury Cathedral School will become a day school and will therefore cease to offer boarding from that point
Why has this decision been made?
This decision follows a detailed and careful review by the Governors, considering long-term trends in education, patterns of parental choice, and the School’s strategic vision. Demand for high-quality day education is strong, while appetite for boarding — particularly at prep school level — has declined nationally and internationally. The decision allows the School to focus its resources where they will benefit the greatest number of pupils.
When will boarding end?
Boarding will continue as normal until the end of the Summer Term 2027. The extended timeline has been deliberately chosen to give families as much notice as possible and time to plan.
Does this mean the School is facing difficulties?
No. Salisbury Cathedral School is in a strong position, with healthy demand, an excellent reputation and clear momentum. This change is a proactive, strategic decision that reflects the School’s strength and confidence in its future as a leading day prep school.
How will this affect current boarders?
Current boarders will be able to continue boarding until September 2027. The School will work closely with families throughout the transition period to ensure pupils are well supported and that future plans can be made with confidence.
What about pupils who were planning to board in the future?
Families considering boarding beyond September 2027 are encouraged to speak directly with the School. The early notice period has been designed to allow families ample time to explore and secure alternative arrangements if needed.
How will the School use the resources previously dedicated to boarding?
The decision allows the School to end the leasehold agreement on the Boarding House in September 2027 and focus investment and energy on areas that benefit all pupils, including:
● Teaching and learning
● Pastoral care and wellbeing
● Music, Sport and the arts
● Facilities and learning environments
● Co-curricular opportunities and enrichment
Will this change affect the School’s ethos or values?
No. The School’s ethos, values and commitment to nurturing the whole child remain unchanged. The focus on kindness, ambition, community, and opportunity will continue to underpin all aspects of School life.
How does this decision affect choristers?
Choristers are central to the life of the School and the Cathedral. While boarding will cease, the move creates an opportunity to reimagine the chorister experience in a way that reflects modern family life and current recruitment patterns. The School, Governors and members of Chapter at the cathedral are committed to working closely with chorister families to shape a future model together.
The timeline to 2027 allows for:
● Full engagement with chorister parents
● Careful planning of a future chorister experience
● A collaborative approach, with parental voice central to shaping what comes next
No immediate changes are being made.
Will the chorister programme and musical excellence continue?
Absolutely. The School’s commitment to musical excellence and its partnership with Salisbury Cathedral remain unwavering. Music will continue to be a defining strength of Salisbury Cathedral School.
Will parents be involved in shaping future plans, particularly for choristers?
Yes. The School is committed to full and meaningful engagement with parents, especially chorister families. The extended timeline allows for consultation, collaboration and careful planning, with parental voice playing a central role.
How will this change benefit pupils overall?
By concentrating resources on teaching, pastoral care, music, facilities and enrichment, the School can enhance the experience of every pupil and ensure long-term sustainability and excellence.
Will your wrap-around care provision change?
Our daily wrap-around care will continue to be available. A central part of our forward planning is to extend wrap-around provision beyond the daily 07:30-6:00pm that is in place currently so that all families can benefit from further extended care should they need it. Choristers will continue to benefit from extended wrap-around care during evening, weekend and chori-hol duties.
Will there be staff changes?
The extended notice period has been intentionally agreed to give the School the longest possible time to accommodate directly affected colleagues in alternative roles where possible, and for them to have ample time to consider future plans and make decisions with confidence and clarity. We are committed to supporting each colleague as fully as we possibly can.
Will the School still attract families from further afield?
Yes. While the School increasingly serves local and regional families, it will continue to welcome pupils from a wider area who are able to attend as day pupils.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
The School will communicate clearly and regularly with parents and will engage directly with families within the boarding and chorister community, as future plans are developed.
Sally Moulton, as Head, will be meeting with individual families and parents are encouraged to contact the School directly to make an appointment via her Personal Assistant. There will also be opportunities for discussion and engagement as planning progresses.
We invite parents to join us for a meeting on (date) where they will be able to ask further questions and gain further insight into the School’s decision-making process.
We will be holding a meeting with parents of choristers to begin discussions about the shaping of the future chorister experience in the second half of the Lent term 2026.
Dates of future meetings:
9th February 2026 at 18:00 - all parents invited
4th March 2026 at 17:30 - for parents of choristers
