Student Life
Life at Southgate
A Full Life,
Not Just a Full Timetable
Everything beyond the classroom is deliberate structure that steadies, freedom that stretches, and adults who know each child by name.
Southgate Preparatory School offers premium weekly boarding, giving students a comfortable, closely supervised home during the school week while returning to their families on weekends. Rooms accommodate a maximum of three children, striking a balance between companionship and comfort. Our boarding houses are staffed by dedicated house parents who provide structure, care and a genuine sense of home.
A typical boarding week includes structured study time, supervised meals, sport and cocurricular activities, and dedicated winddown time in the evenings. Weekends are reserved for family time, allowing students to enjoy the benefits of boarding during the week while remaining closely connected to home.
Our house parents are carefully selected for their warmth, experience and commitment to student wellbeing, providing round the clock support and a genuine sense of home away from home.
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A Boarding Week
A Day in the Life
A typical boarding week balances structured study, supervised meals, sport and cocurricular activity with dedicated winddown time in the evenings.
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06:30
Rise & Chapel
House parents wake the houses, followed by a short chapel gathering that sets the tone for the day.
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07:45
Lessons Begin
Small classes of up to twenty students across the ZIMSEC and Cambridge pathways.
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13:00
Supervised Lunch
Nutritious meals shared together, often including produce grown by students on our own gardens.
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14:30
Sport & Cocurricular
Football, netball, athletics, swimming, cricket and tennis, alongside music, drama and club sessions.
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17:30
Prep & Study
Structured, supervised study time in the boarding houses with staff on hand for support.
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20:00
Winddown & Lights Out
Quiet time, reading and reflection before rest, care and routine in equal measure
In Pictures
Moments From Our Week
Boarding
A Home for the School Week
Our boarding houses are staffed by dedicated house parents who provide structure, care and a genuine sense of home. They are carefully selected for their warmth, experience and commitment to student wellbeing, providing round-the-clock support.
Weekends are reserved for family time, allowing students to enjoy the benefits of boarding during the week while remaining closely connected to home.
Known & Cared For
Sport
Every Student on the Field
Our facilities support a broad range of disciplines, encouraging every student - regardless of ability - to participate, compete and develop discipline, teamwork and resilience.
Football at Southgate Preparatory builds skill, fitness and team spirit on the pitch. Pupils train under experienced coaching, developing technique in passing, control and tactical awareness from their earliest sessions. Whether playing in house matches or representing the school in inter-school fixtures, players are encouraged to grow in confidence, discipline and sportsmanship as they progress through the game.
At Southgate Preparatory, netball develops speed, agility and sharp decision-making on court. Pupils train under experienced coaching, building skills in passing, positioning and teamwork from their very first sessions. Whether representing their house in friendly matches or the school in inter-school fixtures, players are encouraged to grow in confidence, discipline and sportsmanship as they progress through the game.
Our athletics programme encourages students to develop their physical abilities, confidence, discipline, and determination. Through training and participation in track and field events, learners are supported to improve their performance, embrace healthy competition, and strive for excellence both on and off the field.
Our swimming programme helps students develop water confidence, fitness, discipline, and essential swimming skills. Through structured training and participation in competitions, learners are encouraged to improve their technique, build confidence, and demonstrate teamwork and sportsmanship in and out of the pool.
At Southgate Preparatory, cricket is more than a summer sport ,it's where our pupils learn patience, precision and teamwork on the pitch. From their first coaching session in the nets to representing the school in inter-school fixtures, pupils develop technical skill alongside sportsmanship and resilience. Coached by experienced staff and supported by dedicated practice facilities, our cricket programme welcomes all abilities, from beginners discovering the game to promising young players aiming for county-level pathways.
Tennis at Southgate Preparatory School offers students the opportunity to develop their sporting abilities while cultivating discipline, confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Through structured training and competition, learners are encouraged to improve their skills, stay active, and strive for excellence both on and off the court.
Beyond the Classroom
Creativity, Curiosity & Character
Arts & Culture
A Platform for Every Talent
From music to drama and visual arts, students explore their creativity and build confidence through performance and expression
- Music lessons and choir
- Drama and school productions
- Visual arts and exhibitions
- Cultural and heritage celebrations
Clubs & Societies
Interests That Become Leadership
A wide range of clubs gives students the chance to pursue interests, build friendships and develop leadership outside the formal classroom.
- Debate and public speaking.
- Chess
- Environmental and conversation club
- Faith and fellowship groups
- Coding and robotics
New clubs are introduced each term based on student interest, ensuring the programme continues to grow alongside our school community.
Agricultural Programme
Hands in the Soil
A distinctive feature of life at Southgate is our hands on agricultural programme. Students actively participate in growing fruits and crops and caring for livestock as part of our animal husbandry initiative learning responsibility, sustainability and stewardship of the land, values deeply rooted in our school’s faith based ethos.
Students rotate through hands on activities across our orchard and crop gardens, learning to plant, tend and harvest a variety of fruits and vegetables. Our animal husbandry initiative introduces students to the responsible care of livestock and poultry, teaching patience, discipline and empathy alongside practical agricultural skills.
Beyond the practical skills gained, the programme is a powerful vehicle for character education; teaching students the value of hard work, delayed gratification and stewardship of the land, values that align closely with our school’ faith based foundation. Produce from the programme also contributes to school meals, giving students a tangible sense of ownership and pride in their contribution to the wider school community.
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
Every Child Known,
Every Child Cared For
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Tutor System
A trusted adult monitors each student's academic progress, emotional wellbeing and personal development throughout their time at Southgate
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Chaplaincy
Our chaplaincy programme supports students' spiritual growth alongside their academic and personal journey.
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Health & Balance
Access to pastoral staff, health monitoring, nutritious meals and a balanced routine of study, activity and rest
UNIFORM
Dressed With Pride
Southgate maintains high standards of dress and conduct, reflecting the discipline and pride we instil in every student. Full uniform requirement are provided to enrolled families
CODE OF CONDUCT
Rooted in Respect
Respect for oneself, for others and for the school community - reinforced consistently across the classroom, boarding houses and cocurricular activities.
From a Southgate Family
“Our son came home from his first boarding term taller in confidence than in height. The house parents know him, the fields have toughened him, and the garden has taught him patience.”MRS T. MOYO - PARENT, SENIOR PREP
Visit Us
See a Southgate Day for Yourself
Spend a morning with us - meet our house parents, walk the fields and gardens, and see how our students live and learn
Book a Tour