Boys who come to BCS, Shimla will be ‘polished’ and will be taught how to present themselves properly. They are also encouraged to help other people and do community work. They are joining a huge successful worldwide family consisting of the children, parents, staff and alumni. We share each other’s successes and we support those in need. It is a family that lasts a life time.
From Classes IV to IX the boys live in newly built dormitories above the Junior School under the direct care and supervision of Matrons and Wardens, and boys of the same age group are housed together.
The Junior and Middle School dormitories are called Linlithgow, Irons, Stooks, Lewis and Sinker. The school is currently aiming to phase out bunk beds and most boys enjoy a single bed of their own. Additionally, each boy has a locker for their personal possessions. Each dormitory has their own toilet and shower block, a linen room and a common room with a TV. Devices are allowed under strict supervision by the matrons and wardens.
The Junior School, Classes IV and V, is overseen by the Junior School Co-ordinator. Matrons live next to the boys in the dormitories and look after their basic needs outside of lesson time. During the school day, the boys are under the care of Class Teachers, who function like House Tutors
From Class IX onward the boys move up to the Main School and live with the other boys of their respective house. Each House is supervised by the Housemaster and a Warden who lives next to the dormitory. The Main School Matron is in charge of the box room and sees to the cleanliness of clothes, issue of personal items and other pastoral requirements
Deportment and manners are important at BCS. The boys shower daily and we heat the water via solar panels and electric water tanks and have our own water filtration system, we also harvest our own water supply. The 8000-litre diesel boiler provides plentiful hot water as and when required. Dormitories have fixed shower times. Clothes are laundered on campus and boys are given a fresh set of clothes ‘bundles’ each week, and change their underwear and socks daily! Bed linen and towels are changed every week. The school barber cuts the boys hair, and each dormitory has a fixed day and time for this. The appearance of each boy is checked on a daily basis by the Matron or Warden and the Housemasters.
Sports plays a key part in the daily life of every boy at BCS. The boys get up early for PT and also have games times each afternoon with coaching. Boys are taught the fundamentals of fitness and health. In addition to basic physical training, they receive coaching in Cricket, Football, Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Athletics, Boxing, Swimming, Table-Tennis, Rifle Shooting, Squash, Badminton, Scuba Diving, Mountaineering, Wall Climbing, Obstacle course, Self Defense and Yoga
Most of our families have proactively made the decision to choose boarding because of the benefits it will bring their boys. Other families understandably have specific reasons such as both parents (or single parents) are working long hours or their work requires the parents to move regularly disrupting their children’s education. Other families are concerned by the high pollution levels in modern cities and prefer the healthy routines we run in the mountain air. We were the only Boarding school open in India due to double testing and bio-bubbles during Covid-19.
Debating and elocution are extremely popular and the school trains and polishes boys in the art of public speaking. BCS hosts ‘the Slater Debates’ annually and attract school teams from all over the country to what is regarded as one of the best debating competitions in India
Drama is very popular at BCS and the whole pupil body joyously participates in inter-house competitions in both English and Hindi. In addition to plays there are a host of other programmes on stage including dance shows. Boys are also trained in operating and maintaining of sound and light equipment.
Music is close to the heart of every Cottonian, not least when they are singing the school song. The boys are taught Indian vocal and instrumental music, western vocal and instrumental music, brass band and choir. The best musicians get selected for the School Band and they play at special occasions throughout the school year.
We have a live-in 24/7 Chaplain and School Counsellor and another Learning Support Officer. The boarding community at BCS, Shimla is built around four residential Houses – Lefroy, Ibbetson, Rivaz and Curzon. The House System encourages friendly rivalry, but is also at the heart of our system of pastoral care. We have a zero tolerance to bullying and encourage our boys to report any issues. (*and this will be dealt with very strictly)
A range of clubs exist to meet the interests and needs of the boys. These range from the Nature Club to the Creative Writing Club and Debating teams, Quiz Club, Book Binding, Poetry, Pottery, Crafts, Music, School Band, Art Club and many more teacher’s passions are passed on our boys.
It was probably self-discipline that I really learnt at BCS. It has carried me and many other Cottonians through life’s up and downs, triumphs and vicissitudes