A former hotel near Ross-on-Wye is set to become home to pupils from overseas when Hereford Cathedral School opens a new international boarding house.

The magnificent Georgian residence will accommodate up to 31 pupils who can return to a comfortable, happy home set within five acres of Herefordshire countryside after lessons. A range of recreational facilities and friendly residential staff will help them relax in a warm, family atmosphere.

Hereford Cathedral School, which recently completed the purchase of How Caple Grange, will start refurbishment of the former country house hotel this summer. Boarding pupils can share friendly evening meals together in the quaint oak-panelled dining room and relax in a large lounge and games room.

As well as a broad range of extracurricular activities accessed through school, students will enjoy film and quiz nights, trips to local attractions, events and a full programme of social activities at weekends. Transport is provided to and from school and shopping is in nearby Hereford city.

Cathedral School is now accepting applications from overseas families seeking outstanding facilities for their children and a safe and friendly environment in one of Britain’s finest schools. Hereford Cathedral School performs consistently above the national average for GCSE and A-Levels, and independent school inspectors note particular strengths are pupils’ personal development in terms of confidence, morality, cultural awareness and social responsibility. The school has also nurtured a happy community of Chinese students in recent years and these pupils have gained their desired university places in cities such as Edinburgh, New York and London.

Hereford Cathedral School is currently taking enquiries and arranging ‘taster weeks’, lasting from two weeks to a whole term, from countries such as Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand and the Middle East.

Explaining the decision by the Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team to offer boarding at Hereford Cathedral School, Headmaster Paul Smith said: “This new and exciting initiative is the culmination of several years of work in developing an international dimension to Hereford Cathedral School. We take great pride in looking after all our pupils, but pay particular regard to ensuring that pupils from outside the UK are happy, integrated and successful with us.