Most pupils return home at the weekends, leaving on average twenty children in the school. Our weekend is a mix of structured and unstructured time – children can become bored and therefore fractious if the weekend is overly loose, but they also need free time.

Weekend activities vary widely according to the interests of the members of Staff on duty. One may offer something artistic, another something that involves more strenuous activity. After lunch the children usually have some free time while members of Staff are on hand to help. On other occasions, they may be taken by minibus on an outing – to visit a local castle or the cinema, or to go bowling, etc.

St. Patrick’s Day is a “high day” at Headfort. It generally features a hockey match between the children and their parents, and the final performance of the play in the evening. Another high day occurs in the summer term, when the Gymkhana is often followed by a concert.

The school closes three times each term: two ‘Exeat’ weekends, and a Half-term (usually lasting one full week, sometimes four or five days).