When Churchill postgrad Inioluwa Popoola learned she would be coming to Cambridge with her family, she knew that finding the right college would be crucial. As she explored her options, Churchill College stood out as genuinely family-friendly – not just accommodating families but actively embracing them as part of its community. Looking back now, she says with confidence that it was the best decision she ever made.
Inioluwa is one of dozens of student parents who’ve discovered that pursuing postgraduate study with children isn’t just possible at Churchill – it’s genuinely enjoyable. Her story, along with those of fellow postgrads Nabil Faradis and Masaru Kanie, reveals why Churchill’s family accommodation remains one of Cambridge’s best-kept secrets.
A Community Built Around Families
What makes Churchill different isn’t just the bricks and mortar of its 45 flats and maisonettes for couples and families with children, though those are impressive. It’s the intentional design that brings families together. Nabil, a third-year PhD student in Engineering living in one of the Wolfson maisonettes with his partner Putri and two children, explains it perfectly: “The layout of the family flats around the communal garden has been an unexpected joy. Because so many families live in close proximity, it’s very easy to meet neighbours and share time together outdoors.”
Churchill offers 20 studio flats and 20 maisonettes in the Wolfson building and 5 studio flats in the adjacent Wallace and Boyd buildings. The Wolfson complex is arranged around a large communal garden with children’s play areas, creating what Nabil describes as “a lively hub that brings residents together.” For families including Inioluwa’s, this design has been transformative. Her daughters have loved living at Churchill and have quickly settled into both the College and Cambridge life. The playground isn’t just a place to burn off energy – it’s where friendships form and where parents find community with others navigating the same unique challenge of postgraduate study with young children.
“Churchill has not only provided a playground where our children can socialise, but also a beautiful green lawn where we enjoy family picnics together. For us, it’s not just about living in college – it’s about creating early memories with our girls and building legacy with them here in Cambridge.” Inioluwa Popoola, PhD Chemistry
On a practical level, Inioluwa has also been pleasantly surprised by how well her flat retains heat in winter, thanks to underfloor heating and she commends the responsiveness of the maintenance team when anything needs fixing.
The Practical Magic of Location
Before arriving, Inioluwa hadn’t fully appreciated how much Churchill’s West Cambridge location would matter. As a Chemistry PhD student, she’s frequently in the lab, and having her family nearby rather than scattered across the city has made all the difference. The College was instrumental in helping her move her daughter to the West Cambridge Nursery, much closer to campus. This change meant she no longer had to spend her most productive morning hours commuting across town.
Nabil and Putri, who are both doctoral students at Cambridge, have found the location equally invaluable: “It’s only five minutes by bike to our research centre at the Cambridge West Innovation District, our children’s nursery and primary school, and even the local surgery. Being able to do the nursery and school drop-off, cycle to our office, and still be on time for a morning meeting has made a huge difference in our daily rhythm.”
For Masaru, a Master of Finance student living in the Wolfson Flats with his partner Nozomi and two-year-old son Yuito, the convenience extends to everyday errands: “Within just a short walk along a pedestrian road, you can reach a large supermarket – something that is very convenient for daily life.” These practical advantages: proximity to nurseries, schools, shops, and research facilities, make the difference between surviving and thriving as a student parent.
Churchill’s location offers something else these families have all come to value: a calm, peaceful environment away from Cambridge’s tourist-filled city centre.
Beyond Accommodation: A Supportive Ecosystem
The Postgrad community at Churchill includes a MCR Family Officer who helps new families navigate the practicalities of life in Cambridge – from registering with GPs to finding childcare options. This year, Putri and Nozomi are serving as joint Family Officers, paying forward the support they received when they first arrived. The role isn’t just administrative; the officers organise family events like play afternoons in the garden, birdwatching, pottery crafting, and movie afternoons (not nights!) that provide children with the opportunity to make friends and parents the reassurance that they’re not alone in this journey.
“The family events organised by the College – such as BBQs, plays in the Hall, and the Welfare Brunch – have given us great opportunities to meet and connect with other families,” Masaru shares. “Churchill staff always greet our child warmly with a smile and a wave, which means a lot to us.”
Living in the Wolfson Flats, surrounded by other student parents, has also been a great source of motivation for Inioluwa. In her Chemistry department, most PhD students don’t have children, and she sometimes felt like the odd one out. But at Churchill, she’s part of a community that understands the unique challenges of balancing cutting-edge research with bedtime stories and nursery runs. Even her husband, who isn’t a student at Churchill, has been warmly welcomed – he’s better known at the Porters’ Lodge than she is!
The level of support extended by the College to families also surprised Inioluwa, going far beyond providing accommodation. When her family needed assistance with childcare arrangements, the postgraduate team was there to help. Her tutor, Professor Alex Webb, has been exceptionally supportive of her childcare bursary applications, which provide essential financial assistance to place her daughters in nursery and enable her to focus on her studies.
Where Children Thrive
Ask any Churchill child what they love most, and you’ll hear about the ducks. Nabil’s children stop by the Porter’s Lodge to look for ducks and ducklings on their way out of College, and the Porters often let them feed these beloved residents. Yuito, Masaru’s son, has a different daily ritual: “Almost every day we hear, ‘I want to go to the playground!’ Riding the little bikes in the playground has become a daily highlight.”
Inioluwa’s daughters’ favourite spot is the beautiful green lawn where the family enjoys picnics. Their formative years are being shaped on Churchill College grounds, surrounded by a global community of children whose parents are pursuing their academic dreams. This multicultural environment has enriched all the families’ experiences. Families organise informal potluck lunches where children play while parents exchange recipes and stories from their home countries. They celebrate each other’s birthdays, national days, and cultural traditions.
As Nabil explains, “We have formed friendships with families from all around the world, sharing experiences of parenthood and postgraduate study across cultures. We are even still in contact with past students and neighbours who have already graduated, and our children plan to send postcards to their friends who have since moved abroad.”
“Churchill offers a truly unique and exceptional environment for students, researchers, and families to flourish and make a difference.” Nabil Faradis, PhD Engineering
A Choice Families Won’t Regret
“We can confidently say that Churchill is the best College!” Masaru declares, and both Nabil and Inioluwa wholeheartedly agree. What makes Churchill stand out isn’t just the accommodation – it’s the lived experience: neighbours who become close friends, staff who know children by name, and children who grow up playing safely in College gardens.
As Nabil puts it: “While moving to Cambridge as a family can feel daunting, Churchill College makes it not only possible but genuinely enjoyable. The combination of supportive accommodation, a welcoming community, and practical facilities means that families can thrive here.”
For parents who value both community and tranquillity, for those who want their children’s early years shaped by international friendships and academic excellence, Churchill is an ideal place to call home. These families have found more than accommodation here – they’ve found a community that understands that families don’t distract from academic pursuit. They enrich it.
For more information about family accommodation, contact [email protected]
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