Information for Forces Families
Information for Forces Families
At Woodhouse Grove, we are proud of our strong boarding ethos, which provides a stable, healthy and nurturing environment for pupils from Year 7 to Year 13. Recent Forces families who have joined us have praised the warm, supportive atmosphere that helps children feel at home from day one.
A Heritage of Military Connections
We have a long-standing tradition of welcoming children from military families and are proud to count among our alumni two former Chiefs of the Defence Staff, a Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Armed Forces and a Red Arrows Squadron Leader. These esteemed individuals, like all our past pupils, are part of the Grovian community – a lifelong identity that reflects a shared experience of ambition, resilience and camaraderie.
A Convenient and Beautiful Setting
Our stunning campus is situated within two hours of several key military bases in Yorkshire, including Catterick Garrison and RAF Leeming, making weekend travel home both practical and convenient. We are also easily accessible from Leeds Bradford and Manchester Airports and our location opposite Apperley Bridge train station allows direct travel to Leeds in just 12 minutes, making us well connected for families across the UK and beyond.
Understanding Your Needs
We understand the unique demands on Forces families and offer:
- No exeat weekends
- No compulsory Saturday school
- Flexible weekend leave, enabling families to make the most of special time together
What it Means to Be a Grovian
A Woodhouse Grove education goes far beyond the classroom. We combine academic excellence with character development, helping pupils grow into confident, well-rounded individuals with a lifelong love of learning.
Our wide-ranging co-curricular programme includes:
· Climbing, golf, canoeing, Duke of Edinburgh and other outdoor pursuits
· Access to nearby cadet detachments for those interested in military-style training and leadership development
· A broad enrichment timetable to ensure every pupil can explore their passions and discover new interests
Boarding at Woodhouse Grove
Our experienced senior boarding team understands the specific needs of military families. We offer a welcoming and stable ‘home-from-home’, where pupils settle quickly and thrive in a caring, dynamic community.
Our boarding houses are diverse, friendly and full of activity, with access to on-site facilities in the evenings and weekends. Boarders enjoy a full programme that includes:
· Trips to the coast and city
· Go-karting, paintballing and attending sporting events
· Relaxed baking evenings, games nights and plenty of downtime with friends
A Sense of Belonging
Nicola Bradburne, Head of Girls’ Boarding, explains:
“At Woodhouse Grove, we place great importance on building strong, supportive relationships with every child, nurturing them in all areas of their development as part of one extended family. This sense of belonging lays a strong foundation, helping pupils form lasting friendships through shared experiences. It gives them the best possible start on their Grovian journey and prepares them confidently for the future – both at school and beyond.”
Supporting Your Family Through the CEA
We fully support the Ministry of Defence’s Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) and are committed to making our school accessible for eligible military families. For those in receipt of CEA, we ask for only 10% of boarding fees (inclusive of VAT), ensuring exceptional value and peace of mind.
Military Alumni
Military Alumni include:
Lord Michael Walker, Chief of The Defence Staff (2003—2006)
General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of The Defence Staff (2013—2016)
Major General (rtd) Professor Tim Hodgetts CB CBE OStJ DL DSc PhD MMEd MBA FRCP FRCSEd FRCEM FFPH CMg
Flight Lieutenant Tom Bould, Red Arrows Pilot and Squadron Leader (2014—2017)
Contact Us
We warmly invite you to get in touch with our Admissions Team to arrange a personal visit or have your questions answered:
admissions@woodhousegroveschool.co.uk
0113 250 2477