Ecole La Garenne Franco Anglaise: Chesieres, Switzerland

Campus centres around the main La Garenne building, an authentic yet modernised Swiss chalet. Thoughtfully designed to best serve the school community, it includes a dining room, offices and residential accommodation for youngest students and school directors. Nearby, ‘Académia’ is the main teaching building, ‘Millenium’ houses two Cubs’ classrooms, playroom, library and a base for Learning Support and the recently opened ‘Beau Site’ is the junior boarding house. Indoor facilities include a sports room, a library, purpose-built science laboratory, students’ lounges, school hall and music room, a multi-function room and an Art Room.  Beau Site and Academia buildings have full disabled access and there is disabled access to key facilities in other buildings.  All in all, the campus has been designed to maximise opportunities for diverse activities all year round.

Age of entry to boarding houses 5+

Each residential building has live-in staff caring for the children. Buildings are equipped with appropriate information technology, safety and security systems including CCTV and door access is controlled by wrist bracelets.  Situated within a leafy garden, there is safe and easy access to benches, a sports pitch, trampolines, table-tennis tables, table football, swings, an adventure playground and playhouses.   

A warm family environment has been created for boarding students by designing spaces with a cosy ‘home from home’ feeling. Modern furniture interspersed with traditional pieces, colourful textiles and attractive wall decorations all contribute to the sense of quality and comfort. 
Girls and boys have separate quarters, with bright comfortable bedrooms overlooking the alpine countryside.  Two to four children share a room, each child having their own desk and cupboard for personal belongings. Junior rooms include an en suite bathroom.  Bedrooms are a place for children to relax, enjoy reading or listening to music. Friendly house staff clean and maintain the bedrooms and bathrooms daily and encourage children to be tidy and well organised. In the changing rooms on the ground floor, each child has a locker for outdoor clothing and sports equipment.  Student lounges with age-appropriate books, toys and TV are popular for chilling quietly or socialising with peers. Boarders love the unique character of this mix of traditional and modern Swiss style.