Leaving home to attend a boarding school often marks an important transition in a young person's life. It is a step towards adulthood and self-reliance. With the stimulating and supportive environment which the School offers and its atmosphere of care, affection and informality, students fairly quickly come to regard Brockwood as their second home. Students and staff address each other on a first name basis; there are no uniforms and the dress code is 'tidy casual'. Many students have their own bedrooms, although usually a first year or younger student will share with one or two others to encourage social interaction and foster friendship. The girls live on the upstairs floor of the main house while the boys live in a separate building called the Cloisters. Male and female staff members also live in the respective areas to be close at hand should the need arise. As in any healthy family, there are certain agreements and understandings about behaviour. In the case of Brockwood these are presented in the Open Letter included in the Prospectus Supplement and this should be read and considered carefully before a student comes to the School. The School day is busy but in the evenings and on the weekends there are plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the company of others: students can join in dance classes, drama or band rehearsals, outdoor or indoor games, or simply read, chat or catch up on homework in the spacious Sitting and Dining Room or in the Library. There is a small Gym available. Students can visit the Computer Room to go online, head for the garden, bake a cake, or make use of the Music Studio or Art Barn. Our unusual weekends, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, allow students to travel to and from the School easily and visit local towns for shopping and entertainment. To travel further away, or stay out overnight, requires the permission of a parent and the tutor.