Schools Guide

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It seems like a fairly uncomfortable position to be in. The Service lifestyle, though fantastic for so many reasons, seems to be beginning to hamper your young child’s schooling, and even starting to reduce their stability and self-confidence as they grow and their needs broaden. The obvious choice would be to consider boarding. However, for many without personal experience of boarding this can conjure up images of cold showers, even colder matrons and hard beds. As part of a process of self-evaluation, we conducted interviews with the children of Forces parents and requested written feedback from them to help us understand the boarding experience from their point of view. Happily, the clear message from parents and children alike was starkly encouraging and reassuringly positive – the children were happy and their parents extremely pleased. However, there was one simple caveat: look carefully before you leap!

We have listed our questions below, as well as many of the responses given. This is not a transcript of our long (and often highly amusing) conversations, but there has been no conscious cherry-picking. This is straight from the horse’s mouth: what our current Forces children and their parents think about the boarding option they have chosen.

Why preparatory boarding?

‘We decided to give it a try to provide stability, continuity of education and to give the children the opportunity to develop long-lasting friendships. Boarding education offers so much.’ (parent)

‘Emma had just endured five schools in six years due to my enforced moves with the Army, and was suffering as a consequence. It also proved to ensure a better education for Erin and Hannah.’ (parent)

‘The school has a really nice atmosphere and is a great place to live with your friends; it takes away from the stress of being at home in Army accommodation.’ (Ben)

‘When our son had three schools within one year due to military postings there had to be some stability afforded in his education.’ (parent)

‘Children should be out catching tadpoles, climbing trees, going sailing, rock scrambling etc., and this is just what prep school boarders get up to in the right place.’ (parent)

How can a school specifically help Service families and their children?

‘They can help by providing a stable educational base and providing a good discount on the fees.’ (parent)

‘Feedback and reporting on performance is critical so that Service parents can help their children’s education at exeat weekends. The school should actively involve you in the education of your child.’ (parent)

‘The 20% remission is critical – parents should shop around.’ (parent)

‘They must be able to ensure the house staff understands the difficult nature of a situation when a parent is posted abroad in war zones. Caring and supportive houseparents make all the difference.’ (parent)

‘A school needs to be full boarding as schools that offer flexi-boarding or weekly boarding can be empty at the weekends. As we may be posted away from the UK we need the reassurance that our children will be among many others at the weekends and not isolated.’ (parent)

What advice would you give other Service families when they are trying to choose schools?

‘The number one thing to sense is the atmosphere. Make sure it is jolly and the children are polite – holding doors open and stuff.’ (Erin)

‘Having nice teachers and boarding staff is important – you must chat to the pupils and check out the decoration too.’ (Hannah)

‘Make sure access is convenient. Being central in the UK is excellent as you are never too far from your parents’ posting.’ (Ben)

‘It is vital that there is a high percentage of full-time boarders at the school as it is important for your child to have lots of friends around and loads of activities at weekends.’ (parent)

‘Look into the discount on fees as some schools are very generous.’ (parent) ‘Make sure the school provides the right activities, and lots of them, to get the most from your child.’ (parent)

What are the pupils’ current experiences?

‘Before term starts I am a bit nervous and worried. This does go when I get started and see my friends again.’ (Erin)

‘The activities are superb. You just keep going until you go to sleep! There is no time to feel homesick as you are occupied all the time. The Sunday outings to Carsington Lake, kayaking and abseiling and stuff are great.’ (Ben)

‘We know Mrs P so well. We see her first thing in the morning, at breakfast, for lessons, at lunch and in the evenings, so we get to know her really, really well. She is amazing and always helps with our prep!’ (Jemima)

‘I love playing wide games out on the grounds, games like manhunt and 40:40.’ (Ben)

‘I have been a little homesick but I find that there are lots of exeats and long holidays when I get to have fun at home and don’t have my parents nagging me about my prep!’ (Jemima)

‘The food is really important if you are away from home – we get loads of it and it is organic local food.’ (Ella)

‘You can play in the housemaster’s house and with their kids so you feel at home.’ (Ben)

‘It was difficult at first but Issy and Jemima have really helped me.’ (Erin)

‘The houses are really cosy and like homes. We have lots of fun in the dorms even after lights out!’ (Erin)

This hugely positive response has been very warming for the staff at the school and has provided our boarding community with much food for thought. Clearly, boarding is a very real and worthy option for many Service parents. It might not be for everyone, but a clear message has emerged from our current Service families: modern boarding is a wonderful opportunity that provides so much for these children … if done properly.

The trick is to select wisely and look for some key ingredients that can make boarding a magical experience. As such, the selection process must be done with the utmost care, and parents must feel fully informed and comfortable.

It is worth mentioning the final question to the children. We asked, ‘Would you ever want to be a day pupil again?’ Without hesitation and unanimously they replied, ‘No way!’