Schools Guide

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Most mothers probably wish sometimes that their domestic arrangements ran with military precision. How many times would a swift court martial resolve a discipline problem in the ranks? Wouldn’t life be simple if the troops were lined up ready to engage in the daily battle of leaving the house in time for school? When thinking about choosing boarding for your child, it would be equally easy to think of the role of the housemaster in military terms. Just as the block NCO makes sure that everyone is out on time and properly equipped, so presumably, the thinking may go, does the average housemaster or housemistress.

Of course, the reality is very different. Rather than dealing with large numbers of adult Service personnel, where discipline is key to strategic success, your child’s housemaster will be looking after probably no more than 50 children, and among them will be your pride and joy. What parent would not want the best possible care for their child?

The term ‘in loco parentis’ is used widely to describe that special duty whereby the parent’s duties are assumed by a teacher. For boarding staff, it has a special resonance. Not only do they ensure that their charges are properly turned out, with homework done and bags packed every morning, they have a very special role in ensuring that every child in their house is happy. It is perhaps stating the obvious to comment that a happy child will benefit far more from everything that their boarding school has to offer, but it is the undeniable truth.

One of our housemasters at Mount St Mary’s has a particular understanding of the needs of Forces children in boarding schools: Matthew Powell is the child of Forces parents, and was himself a pupil at a boarding school. His father, Glyn, came to Mount St Mary’s College as the SSI in charge of the Combined Cadet Force upon leaving the Army, and is now the contingent commander in the rank of Lt Colonel. Along with his wife, Sue, he became a houseparent for nine years, for the sixth form boys. Even when his wife, who was also in the Army, was posted to Cyprus with their daughter for two years, Glyn continued in the role as housemaster, so understands what an unaccompanied posting is all about.

Matthew himself joined up, becoming a Corporal in the Royal Military Police, and joined the Mount last year in charge of the Lower School boys’ house, with his wife Ruth.

Following in the family footsteps, Matthew therefore has a greater understanding than most of what Forces families need to find in their choice of boarding school, and consequently their child’s housemaster. The first thing he is keen to stress is that, although his job title is ‘housemaster’, the sign on his flat’s door reads ‘House parents’.

‘We really are in loco parentis,’ he says. ‘We deal with far more issues than a mere teacher would be expected to be concerned with, down to the mundane everyday problems facing your average child, such as locating a lost shoe.’ There is a deliberate distinction between discipline issues arising in school time and those that arise after school, within the house. While a teacher may set lines or arrange a detention for a problem arising during school time, a boarding offence may result in not being allowed to watch television or visit the tuck shop.

Matthew’s main concern, though, is not discipline but the general welfare of his charges, and ensuring that they are, indeed, happy. For any house staff, that necessarily means spending a lot of time with their boarders, arranging activities and, more simply, being there as a listening ear. It is interesting here to note that housemasters do not generally stay in post for a lifetime – the job is simply too demanding, and after maybe ten years in post most housemasters need a change of focus within their school.

The needs of both parents and children are paramount in ensuring that children are happily settled as boarders. Matthew and Ruth phone parents regularly to share good news about their children’s progress, not just to ring with a problem. For Forces families, Matthew acknowledges that email is a godsend, allowing frequent contact to continue wherever the parents may be located. For families tied to tight leave, Matthew reckons that it is worth checking that your chosen school has flexible exeat arrangements, otherwise your child’s ‘leave’ and the parents’ may never coincide.

Many Forces parents choose schools with a strong CCF contingent and sporting tradition, as factors they can identify with. Matthew’s father, Glyn Powell, has enjoyed his move from the military to school life, and reckons that his past gives him a special bond with Forces children. ‘They know I understand their situation,’ he comments. At the moment, two of the female boarders have a father serving in Iraq, and Glyn chats regularly to them about how they are getting on. His experience also means, of course, that he can empathise with the parents.

It’s worth remembering, though, that not every Services child is going to want to follow in the family footsteps. Choosing a good boarding school should offer your child lots of chances to explore their talents and potential – in music, drama or art – as well as in the more physical pursuits that most people associated with such schools in the past.

House staff will help to ensure that your children are getting involved in a variety of activities, fitting in to the community and developing emotionally, so that they leave school as happy, well-adjusted and rounded individuals.

That end goal is surely what every parent wants for their child, and for the years that your son or daughter is at boarding school, their housemasters and housemistresses will indeed be ‘in loco parentis’. They may even come to seem like one of the family.

It’s worth remembering, though, that not every Services child is going to want to follow in the family footsteps. Choosing a good boarding school should offer your child lots of chances to explore their talents and potential – in music, drama or art – as well as in the more physical pursuits that most people associated with such schools in the past.

House staff will help to ensure that your children are getting involved in a variety of activities, fitting in to the community and developing emotionally, so that they leave school as happy, well-adjusted and rounded individuals.

That end goal is surely what every parent wants for their child, and for the years that your son or daughter is at boarding school, their housemasters and housemistresses will indeed be ‘in loco parentis’. They may even come to seem like one of the family.