Boarding At A UK School

To board or not to board – is that the question?

Harry Potter and Hogwarts have propelled boarding school life firmly into the spotlight, with a whole new generation of kids eager to share in the magic. Indeed there are many good reasons to board beyond tradition and necessity – if not at 8, then at 11, 13 or 16.

That said, boarding isn't for everyone; some will have had their hearts hardened to such things by generations of tradition, others will see it as an exciting adventure: midnight-feasts, 24/7 activities, one long sleep-over. So how do you decide what's right for your child?

Boarding - back in vogue...

Many schools report an up-turn in the numbers of first generation boarders, boarding is more popular today than ever. Is it simply 'The Harry Potter' effect or something more?

Reasons to board are many and varied but include:

For Central Londoners, the near impossibility of finding a suitable senior school for a less-than-totally academic child.
The realisation that life in the forces, the diplomatic services or as an expat is wrecking not only the children’s education but their friendships and their stability too.
The wealth of extra-curricular opportunities. Why be a glorified taxi-service? Having all activities on hand and in one place relieves both parent and child from undue stress and allows both to reclaim valuable time.
The life-long friendships. Today few of us live in established communities or remain in one location forever. Boarding school life provides a child with stability and continuity.
The inescapability of getting the work done – and to a good standard.
The Harry Potter effect - magical fun!
The flexibility of modern day boarding - which increasingly meets the needs of modern family life. A menu of everything from full-boarding to very occasional 'baby-sitting'.
And of course the idea that boarding will be one fantastic sleepover.

Or not?

There are, of course, some excellent reasons not to board:

The vast expense.
The loss of home life / perceived breaking-up of the family unit and family life.
The misery of those who don’t (for whatever reason) make enough good friends.
The lack of emotional support for fragile or sensitive children.
The idea of living-out your life in a gold-fish bowl.
You have excellent day schools.
It simply isn't necessary.

And some reasons play either way: you can be delighted at the thought of all that time to yourselves and of the moneyed crowd your child will be mixing with – or you may feel the exact opposite.

Whether your preference is for day or boarding, we offer basic advice:

boarding school and boarding If, happily, you live near a seriously good state or independent day school, and that is the most rewarding solution either morally or financially, then don’t even think about boarding (or at least not until your children force you to).

Take especial note of what your children are like – when boarding, it matters much more that the school suits them, and vice versa, as they have no home to run to to salve their wounds or just to recharge their batteries.

Some children are born to board: independent, active, always on the go and desperate to board (once they know it’s an option) from a tender age. Others are home-birds, like their creature comforts, but will still be OK boarding if they have a gang of mates and don’t get into trouble. Some will hate every minute of boarding school life but still struggle through and put on a brave face for their parents.

Be clear about how the experience will affect you – emotionally and financially. Read fortifying books such as Molesworth or Mallory Towers.

Hard to decide? You need more information? personal advice?

The Good Schools Guide Advice Service offers you a personal, one-to-one consultancy to choose the best school for your child. We will provide you with one of our most knowledgeable and experienced advisors. You tell us what matters to you, what you want and where and we will work with you to find the perfect school. Call us: 0203 286 6824 or email: advice@goodschoolsguide.co.uk .

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Farleigh School - an independent school for boys and girls aged 3-13, takes boarders.

Formally a catholic boys' prep, now a co-ed boarding with lots of day. Swanky georgian house in Test Valley in the midst of 60 acres parkland..

Ripon Grammar School, Ripon Grammar is a state school for boys and girls. Takes boarders.

Demand for boarding places (14 available a year) outstrips supply, especially post-GCSE. An unashamedly academic school, expemplifying much of the traditional English grammar school tradition, though certainly not an exam factory; even so, those with an IQ of lower than 120 could eventually find the pace too hot.

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