Boarding houses are usually well presented on a tour, but what matters is how the house functions once the working week is done.
As a teacher, and an independent-school parent myself, I see this from both sides. In this week’s video, the first of two on boarding, I explain what I’d ask about weekends and friendships.
Four things to look at:
Who is actually there: on a typical Saturday night, how many boarders are in the house? Is there a mass exodus, and is there a strict policy on exeats and holidays?
The weekend: what happens on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, and is there the right mix of structure, fun and time off to encourage boarders to stay?
The international mix: is mixing with UK children encouraged, is there time to relax with others who share their language, and are international pupils spread across the houses?
The holidays: where do boarders live outside school, and are there local friends nearby?
Questions to ask at your open day:
On a typical Saturday night, how many boarders are in the house?
What happens on Saturday afternoons and Sundays?
How are international pupils included, and are they spread across the houses?
Where do your UK boarders come from?
A boarding house is where your child will spend most of their time outside the standard school day. If you can, ask to see it on a Saturday.
If it would help to talk it through, get in touch.
A former teacher and independent-school parent on what boarding is really like at the weekend, and the questions to ask at your open day.