When selecting a school, it is vitally important to remember that what you are looking for is the best school for your child. Think about your child's strengths and particular interests as these must be foremost in your mind before making such a vital decision. However, the first decision you must make is what type of school you are looking for.
| Boarding or Day | |
| Coeducational or Single Sex | |
| Specialist Schools | 6th Form Colleges |
You must also think carefully, and realistically, about how academic your child is: there is no point in choosing a highly academic school if it is going to mean he/she struggles to keep up with the demands placed on him/her for, ultimately, you will end up with an unhappy child. Look for a school where you feel your child will be stretched but not overwhelmed. Boarding schools have an excellent reputation for academic success; there is, after all, ready access to help and resources for the pupils as well as high expectations from the staff. Don't be tempted, therefore, to only look at schools which have "the best results" - they are likely to have a more rigorous selection policy rather than better teachers!
Boarding schools normally offer a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities which are in our opinion of the greatest importance as it is these which help to provide the all round education on which UK boarding schools pride themselves. They often spark a lifelong interest in a particular field or even lead to a future vocation. So, look at the extra-curricular activities on offer at each school and see which would seem to best suit your child.
Think about
whether your child would be happier in a large or small school. If he/she
is self-confident the larger environment may be better especially as the
larger schools tend to have better facilities. If, however, your child
would be happier in a more close knit environment then, almost certainly,
a smaller school would be the best option.
But don't panic! When you have completed and sent us your enquiry form,
we will be able to guide you towards the schools which we consider to
be most suitable for you and, most importantly, your child's requirements.
Also, where possible it is always best to make a visit to see a prospective
school so that you can get a true feeling about the place. We do provide
an accompanied tour service for those parents who would like it (there
is a fee charged for this).
Boarding places are available from the age of 7. However, most boarders are of senior school age - traditionally, girls from the age of 11 and boys from 13. This is still predominantly the same today, but with more schools becoming coeducational, there are plenty of girls who start boarding at 13. Increasingly common is boarding from the 6th form - in other words, from the age of 16.
Places at boarding schools can be obtained at any age, as long as the necessary entry requirements have been met.
Boarding schools have changed considerably in the last 20 years and today they are a very comfortable, home-from-home. Schools have become much more flexible too with weekly boarding and flexi-boarding options now more frequently available. Those pupils who board tend to have greater access to the wonderful facilities on offer; they learn to develop independence at a young age;and they often make friendships that will last a lifetime as well as developing independence at a young age. Far from "missing out" on life at home, boarders often learn to appreciate, rather than take for granted, what home life has to offer.
However, boarding will not suit every child and there are many excellent day schools as well as boarding schools which also accept some day pupils.
More than anything this is down to personal preference. Different research studies have tried to find "proof" that one is better than the other. Those who favour single-sex education often argue that academic results tend to be better without the distractions of the opposite sex; those who favour co-education would not only dispute that assertion, but also argue that their system was a more natural environment in which to be educated for life in the outside world.
There are some schools which offer a "halfway house" in that they accept both boys and girls, but teach them separately - at least until the age of 16. Critics of this system argue that this is even more unnatural than the single sex environment. This debate will go on for many years without a resolution and so parental preference is the key factor here.
There are some boarding schools which have used their independence from state control to develop into centres of excellence in specific areas.
So it is possible to find choir schools, music schools, dance schools, arts schools, schools which offer general sporting excellence as well as those which offer specialist coaching in certain sports. These schools will, of course, offer a good academic education too.
There are also specialist schools which help children who have specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
These are specialist centres which offer courses to A level as well as the option of re-sitting GCSEs. The colleges tend not to have boarding facilities as such (although some do) but are able to provide accommodation somewhere near the college. Courses tend to be quite intense and there is less opportunity for extra-curricular and sporting activity than at a traditional senior boarding school.
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