HEREFORD Cathedral School will be hosting an open day at its new boarding house this weekend.

The school plans to significantly expand its international programme after agreeing a £1.9 million funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

The recently opened boarding house will allow the school to welcome new pupils from across the globe.

Situated in the fully refurbished former How Caple Grange Hotel, the 1,310 square-meter Georgian boarding house will accommodate up to 29 pupils and officially opened its doors this spring.

Lloyds Bank provided 75 per cent of the funding for the project, with the remainder coming from school funds.

The investment comes as part of Lloyds Bank’s pledge to lend £18 billion to UK businesses in 2019, with £1.5 billion specified for firms across the South West.

Although Hereford Cathedral School dates back to 1384 and is one of the oldest boarding schools in Britain, boarding ceased twenty years ago and overseas students have been housed with local families since 2012.

The new boarding house aims to boost the number of overseas pupils able to attend the school, as well as allowing UK pupils the opportunity to board.

Paul Smith, Hereford Cathedral School’s headmaster, said: "We take great pride in looking after all our pupils, and this new boarding house will play a huge part in ensuring that our international students are happy, integrated and have all the support they need to thrive with us.

“Lloyds Bank has been by our side throughout the project, understanding the educational advantages that our international links bring to our pupils, the school and the wider community.”

Mark Smith, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “In our increasingly international society, a well-rounded, multicultural education has never been more important. We’ve worked in partnership with Hereford Cathedral School for 30 years now, supporting it throughout its growth, and are proud to have helped it take the next step on its journey.”

The drop-in open day will take place at Wilmot House, How Caple from 11am to 3pm on June 8.