Thornton has an unregimented atmosphere and weekends are relaxed and interesting. We are able to have time to ourselves and to enjoy weekends out with friends. The weekend starts on Friday night with homework before supper. We are then free for the rest of the evening to watch films, spend time with friends or go to the ICT room.
Thornton is well situated in Buckinghamshire with easy access to Milton Keynes, Oxford and London. The local area and surrounding counties have many attractions which make great days out for the boarders and staff. The weekends are planned by the boarding staff and throughout the term there is a range of weekend events and outings.
Weekend activities include trips to:
Oxford: Here we have many things to see and do including a tour of the Bodleian library with a guide, sections of the university where Harry Potter was filmed, punting on the river and of course shopping!
London: The London Eye, the London dungeons and trips to the theatre to see performances such as 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'We're Singing in the Rain' are all favourite activities.
Milton Keynes: This is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. We visit the theatre where we have recently seen 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Chicago'. We regularly go bowling and ice-skating and visit the cinema, . We also enjoy going to the Xscape complex which includes the Snowdome where we toboggan as a group.
Excursions to theme parks such as Chessington and Alton Towers are also organised and every year we all go to Wicksteed park at the beginning of term. We also visit places of cultural interest in the local area such as Waddesdon Manor, and we also go slightly further afield and visit Warwick Castle and Cadbury World .
On Sunday mornings at 9:00am we attend Mass in our Chapel when we take it in turns to serve and help with the readings and music. This is followed by a leisurely brunch.
On Sundays, two members of the teaching staff come in and take study with us.(Year 10 and 11 are allowed to study in their rooms). Then, after lunch, the staff take us all for activities which they have organised. |