It’s hard to believe, but in 1984, the school introduced a smoking room for the Sixth Form boarders, where they could smoke for one hour each evening – though this scheme lasted only a year.

Bedtimes were strict: if you were caught chatting to friends in another dorm, you had to sit downstairs in your pyjamas, although as one Hillstow boarder recalls, there were always ways to get around the rules:

“We used to climb out of the window to go swimming at night. There were chains across the windows to stop you getting out, but you could open them. We also climbed right up to the bell tower. The whole boarding house was punished one time: the fire alarm went off at 5.00 am every morning for what seemed like months and we all had to get up and go outside.”

Communication with the outside world was equally disciplined. There were queues for the payphone, with each age group given an allotted time – but you needed permission to use the phone.

“Boarding in Hillstow was no different to other houses when it came to phones. We had to write to people by letter to let them know we would call at a certain time and often they would forget or were still at a rugby match.”

Fiona

Weekends for boarders included a range of activities, with trips into Oxford and spending time together in the boarding houses.

"On Saturdays, the Upper Fifths were allowed to watch a film in the Housemistress' sitting room. We also had a record player, and played records until the speakers broke. The huge window sill became a stage for our dancing and plays."

Fiona

On a Sunday morning, all the boarders went to All Saint’s, Highfield, except for Hillstow boarders, who went to St Andrew’s Church in Old Headington. Fifth and Sixth Formers were allowed to go to the 8.00 am service, which meant they had time to sneak into the news agent to buy sweets on the way back.