In the Summer months, we completed the installation of bespoke boarding accommodation furniture at Bishop’s Stortford College in Hertfordshire.
This project formed part of a wider commitment to improving the quality of boarding environments, ensuring that pupils benefit from a space that feels both functional and welcoming. Well-designed boarding school furniture plays a crucial role in supporting students’ wellbeing, independence and organisation, particularly for younger pupils adjusting to life away from home. By focusing on both comfort and practicality, the refurbishment aimed to create a modern yet homely atmosphere within the historic setting.
Based between London and Cambridge, the co-educational day and boarding school recently completed phase one of dormitory refurbishments to Grimwade House, the Prep School boarding house which caters for girls and boys aged between 7 and 13 years of age.
As part of the first phase of the dormitory refurbishment programme, careful consideration was given to how the space would be used on a daily basis. Prep school boarding environments require a unique balance between durability, safety and adaptability, and every design decision needed to reflect the evolving needs of both pupils and staff. The goal was to future-proof the accommodation while maintaining the character and heritage of Grimwade House.
We worked closely with the team at the College throughout the tendering process to understand their requirements before developing a detailed plan of works and design to enhance the boarding school’s furniture and layout. The design process also considered the impact of colour schemes on students’ mood, focus, and learning capabilities, ensuring the environment supports education and wellbeing.
Collaboration was central to the success of this project. By engaging in open dialogue with the school’s leadership and boarding staff, we translated their operational requirements into a cohesive design solution. This consultative approach ensured that the final outcome was not only visually appealing but also practical for everyday use, supporting both pastoral care and efficient dormitory management.
“I was particularly impressed with the fact they listened to our requirements carefully before planning. They didn’t try to tell us what would work, they adapted our views into a workable design and we were provided with ‘mood’ boards which helped project the vision to others.”
Adrian Hathaway, Grimwade Boarding Housemaster and Senior Teacher (Operations) in the Prep School.
This feedback reflects our commitment to a client-led design process, where listening and adaptability are key. Every boarding school has its own ethos and operational challenges, and our role is to interpret those nuances into bespoke furniture solutions that genuinely enhance the student experience.
We designed a ‘pod bed’ which includes everything each pupil would need: the bed, a headboard and a wardrobe unit with shelving and a lockable cupboard for valuables. The unit also features built-in drawers and cupboards for storage, making it a higher storage bed that efficiently utilises floor space in boarding school environments. Power, a USB socket and LED reading lights were also part of the headboard design, offering durability and practicality for each pupil. Modern boarding furniture often includes integrated power for tablets and laptops to support 21st-century learning.
The pod bed concept is increasingly popular in modern boarding school design, as it maximises space efficiency while offering each pupil a sense of personal ownership. By integrating multiple functions into a single unit, we were able to reduce clutter within the dormitories and create a more structured, organised environment that supports both study and relaxation.
In total, we manufactured and installed 28 ‘pod beds’ for the two dorms, which would meet the needs of 14 girls and 14 boys.
The beds are divided with bed division panels to give pupils more privacy and integrated into these panels were vinyl wrapped noticeboards for the children to attach photos of family and friends, helping to enhance the comfort of the pupils. Providing pin boards for students to display personal items is an example of how the design allows for personalisation, contributing to a homely atmosphere.
Creating a sense of privacy within shared dormitories is essential, particularly for younger boarders who may be experiencing communal living for the first time. These thoughtful design elements help pupils feel more secure and settled, contributing positively to their overall wellbeing and helping them personalise their space in a meaningful way.
The furniture was manufactured in oak veneered MDF to manage the balance between traditional, in keeping with the ‘Arts and Crafts’ boarding house, but also modern, in keeping with the demands of today’s boarding pupils.
Material selection was a key consideration throughout the project. The use of high-quality, durable finishes ensures longevity in a high-traffic environment, while the oak veneer provides a warm and timeless aesthetic. Finish choices are important for both durability and aesthetics, and high-quality materials are essential to ensure the longevity of boarding school furniture. This careful balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern performance is essential in educational settings where furniture must withstand daily use over many years. In the UK, boarding school furniture should meet BS EN 1729 standards for strength and stability, and a fair wear and tear guarantee of at least 10 years is commonly offered.
We used vinyl so the pupils can attach the pictures with Blu Tac without causing damage and helping to reduce the use of drawing pins on the beds.
Due to the House’s age (100+ years), it was important that we considered the existing heating and electrical systems, which led to the electrical system being reconfigured to facilitate the new arrangement of beds.
Integrating modern electrical requirements into a historic building presented both challenges and opportunities. By reconfiguring the system to align with the new furniture layout, we delivered a solution that meets contemporary expectations for connectivity and convenience without compromising the building’s structural integrity or character.
“Storage was our main priority, followed by maintaining personal space with scope for pupils to personalise their own area. Thinking of the future, we also needed suitable electrical power to each bed space for charging purposes.”
Knowing that the new-style beds needed greater storage capacity and would therefore be larger caused a few early design concerns. We wanted to create dorms that were aesthetically pleasing and durable whilst retaining maximum occupancy.
“The fitters who came in the summer were excellent! They were professional, treated the boarding house like it was a home and kept us informed of their progress.
There were some complications in fitting the units around existing pipework, but this was completed to a high level of satisfaction. The length of one of the units when fitted in place caused an access issue but this was quickly resolved by the fitters with a slight alteration. Everywhere was left tidy and clean when they left – it was a very slick and professional job.
The time and care Witley Jones were prepared to give to us in order to get the best possible configuration for our requirements was exceptional. The fitters’ humour was refreshing, they were keen and dedicated to ensure the job was finished to the highest of standards.”
Adrian Hathaway, Grimwade Boarding Housemaster and Senior Teacher (Operations) in the Prep School.
The furniture was tailored to fit the available floor space and existing building features, with small adjustments made to ensure a perfect fit.
We look forward to completing Phase 2 of the dormitory refurbishments in 2020.
Ultimately, the completed dormitories demonstrate how thoughtful, bespoke boarding furniture design can transform student accommodation. By combining functionality, durability and aesthetic appeal, the new layout supports a positive boarding experience while making the most of the available space. The company offers a free design consultation and ongoing support to provide tailored solutions for each project. This project highlights the importance of tailored solutions in educational environments, where every detail contributes to the comfort, safety and development of the pupils who use the space every day. The Department for Education’s National Minimum Standards for Boarding emphasise the importance of creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for students, including considerations for privacy and security.
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