Boarding life at Dean Close St John's is set to take on a distinctly family feel, as Rachael Cracknell and Elliot Cracknell move into the school's boarding house with their two young children, this September 2026.
Rachael is taking on the role of Head of Boarding, while Elliot already has deep roots at the school – as both a former pupil and its Head of Boys' Games.
SoGlos caught up with them to find out how they plan to shape boarding life, help children settle in and create a house where pupils genuinely feel they belong at the independent school near Chepstow.
Rachael, congratulations on becoming Head of Boarding. What attracted you to the role and what are you most looking forward to?
I was really attracted to the opportunity to develop boarding into somewhere children genuinely feel at home, can have fun and feel that they belong.
I love the community that boarding can create and I'm excited to build on what is already here.
I'm particularly looking forward to getting to know the boarders and their families, building strong relationships with the staff team and creating an environment that feels warm, relaxed and welcoming.
It's a big new chapter for our family too, so we're excited to see where it takes us.
You'll be moving into the boarding house with your two young children. How important is creating a family atmosphere?
It's hugely important to us. We want the boarding house to feel like a home first and foremost, rather than simply somewhere pupils live during term time.
Hopefully, having our own family there will naturally bring some of that everyday family life into the house – the noise, laughter, conversations, shared meals and all the little things that make somewhere feel lived in.
We want boarders to be able to relax, take their shoes off, chat in the kitchen, join in with family life if they want to or simply have their own space.
We're hoping our children will become part of the boarding family too.
Elliot, you have a particularly strong connection with St John's as a former pupil and now Head of Boys' Games. What does this next chapter mean to you?
It's incredibly special. I was a pupil at St John's myself and I'm now starting my 17th year working here. Even as a boy, I spent school holidays helping to cut the rugby pitches and maintain the grounds, so I have a lot of happy memories tied to the school.
I've always said that, second only to my family, St John's is a huge part of my life. I feel a real sense of loyalty and passion for the school and its community.
To now bring my own family here and give them the opportunity to develop that same connection is something I'm very proud of.
Alongside making boarding life as warm, welcoming and homely as possible for the pupils, we want our own children to enjoy being here, embrace the family ethos and make the most of everything the school has to offer.
You'll be taking on boarding life together. What different strengths do you each bring?
We're quite different, which I think will be one of our strengths.
Rachael is incredibly organised, warm and naturally good at building relationships, while Elliot is probably a little more laid-back and brings a huge enthusiasm for sport and getting involved in activities.
We both enjoy being around people and creating a positive atmosphere, but we also understand that different children need different things from boarding.
Hopefully, between us, we can offer a good balance of structure and routine alongside fun, spontaneity and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
What makes the difference between simply staying at school and genuinely feeling at home?
For us, it comes down to relationships and belonging.
Children need to know there are adults around them who genuinely know them, care about them and take an interest in who they are beyond schoolwork.
It's also about the small things – knowing someone's favourite meal, noticing when they've had a difficult day, sharing a joke, celebrating successes and creating traditions together.
We want boarders to feel that this is their home while they're here and that they're part of a family and community, rather than simply living at school.
What will everyday boarding life at St John's look like?
We want there to be a genuine balance.
There will be plenty going on, from sport and activities to trips, games and opportunities to socialise, but we don't want every moment to be programmed.
Some of the best boarding memories can come from the simplest things – watching a film together, playing a board game, sitting around talking after dinner or heading outside for some fresh air.
Sport will naturally be an important part of boarding life, but we also want activities and spaces that work for children with all kinds of interests.
Ultimately, we'd like the house to develop its own rhythm and personality, with busy, energetic moments alongside quieter times when pupils can just relax.
Starting boarding can be a big step for children and parents. How will you help new pupils settle in?
We'll take time to get to know every child as an individual because everyone settles in at a different pace.
We want new boarders to feel welcomed from the moment they arrive, get to know staff and other pupils quickly and find activities they enjoy being part of.
Older pupils also have an important role to play in helping younger and newer boarders feel included.
Communication with parents is equally important. We want families to feel that we're working together and that they can speak openly with us.
Starting boarding is a big change, but with the right support it can also be an incredibly positive and exciting experience.
As a family, what are you most looking forward to about living alongside the boarders?
We're most looking forward to the people.
We're excited to get to know the boarders, become part of their everyday lives and watch the house develop its own sense of family and community.
We're also looking forward to our own children growing up surrounded by a diverse group of young people and becoming part of that community themselves.
For prospective families, we'd say boarding is about much more than where a child sleeps. It's about friendships, independence, confidence, experiences and belonging.
We want the Dean Close St John's boarding house to be somewhere children can be themselves, feel safe and supported, have fun and make lasting memories.
Our biggest ambition is very simple: when boarders walk through the door at the end of the school day, we want them to feel like they're coming home.
For more information about boarding at Dean Close St John's, visit deanclosestjohns.org.uk.
