Creating a welcoming, nurturing family-like environment is extremely important at our small, friendly boarding school. For boarding students it is their home away from home. Head Matron, Emma Anders shares her thoughts about her job and caring for all the wonderful boarders that attend Fyling Hall. Emma is a highly experienced matron, BSA Advanced Accredited in Boarding Management & Pastoral Care and lives at Fyling Hall with Bailey the dog (another popular member of our pastoral team!) .

The Role of Head Matron

By Miss. Anders, Head Matron, Fyling Hall

Being the Head Matron in a school environment is a special and rewarding job.  You meet a variety of different people and you have a lot of responsibility looking after young people.  What I love is that I still get butterflies driving through the school gates at the start of each term, which in itself says that it is a job that I thoroughly enjoy.

The role of Matron requires someone who is versatile and doesn’t mind working late into the evenings. It requires someone who is dedicated to the needs of others.  It’s important to have a caring and sympathetic nature as you find that your care doesn’t just go to the pupils it extends out to the wider school community.  You are in the trusted position of loco parentis to those who are away from home.  So, it is important to build relationships from the outset and to give those that are under your care a loving and warm family environment.

Respect and Trust are Key

I absolutely love my job and I love what I do.  You see a different side to the children that you are looking after.  There have been many times that we have all had great conversations in the common room and in the dorms.  I like to get to know everyone as much as I can whilst they are here with us as I feel that this is important.  As a member of staff, you are respected.  However, at the same time you also need to earn the respect and trust from your pupils. You are a key person that they often come to if they are homesick, upset or worried.  Sometimes I will get an email over the holidays to ask how I am, which I think is very sweet. It just goes to show the importance of building good relations with your boarders.   

18 Years and Counting!

I have enjoyed many things over my 18 years working at Fyling Hall.  There are a lot I could list, but here are just a few.  I have had the privilege of being invited to the weddings of our past pupils.  It’s lovely to meet up for a coffee with my former girls and find out what they have achieved and what exciting things are ahead in the future.  I have met their children and families.  Often, they come back to visit and always tell us how much they miss it.  This in itself gives you a warm feeling inside that tells you that you have done a good job.  So, I would say being a Matron is one of the best jobs, especially being here at Fyling Hall School.   

Learn more about boarding here or get in touch for a virtual tour or visit! Fyling Hall welcomes boarding students from Year 7 upwards and is proud to have students from all around the world and the U.K.