Boarding school - good idea or bad idea?

[DodgyAgent]

I don't mean to be nasty in this; I genuinely hope you're right and I'm sure you're doing your best for your kids; despite being an agent you seem pretty decent on these things, but I'm concerned that some boarding schools might just be putting on an act; they did that when I was there, and as I see it it's only parents that can really act to prevent that, by, for example, just turning up from time to time, or even getting a trusted friend or relative (trusted by the child too) to do that.

If boarding schools these days really are open to critical examination and are more transparent, I can't see any legitimate reason for them to object, other than interrupting with classes.

I only have my own experiences and those of my children and friends to go by. Some schools are more advanced than others. But a great deal of thinking has gone on which is easily shared amongst the schools. One is parent associations which are now openly encouraged to expand, something that would have been considered highly intrusive years ago. I am not saying they are all "up there" but the impetus for openness is very advanced compared to what it was even 5 years ago. I would rather take my chances with a choice of private schools than send them to the local comp - they are not bright enough for the local grammar.

Private schools cannot afford to not move with the times

[EternalOptimist]

hey mich. I feel your pain. but er..
you know.


hey did I ever tell you about the time five soldiers tried to bum me up with a broom handle. I put up a hell of a fight, so they went next door looking for easier prey

and judging by the screams - they found it

[OwlHoot]

... Just be glad it hasn't made me into a violent psycho! (yet)

Hang on, you play rugger don't you?

[realityhack]

That's enough proof for me...

I'm sending mine.

It is not always an option to "day" them at a school of your choice - try commuting to Stowe from Chiswick every day.

So you choose another school or you move house or you accept you have a long drive each day.

Hence the reason I went to boarding school. I was a day pupil from 11yrs, at a great school in the county. Problem was, it's the biggest county in England - and for 3 years we had an epic daily commute that we lived with until I expressed my wish to board at 14yrs. As my parents weren't exactly on the other side of the planet I would see them regularly on weekends, and if anything, it was better for all concerned.

[Mich the Tester]

Hence the reason I went to boarding school. I was a day pupil from 11yrs, at a great school in the county. Problem was, it's the biggest county in England - and for 3 years we had an epic daily commute that we lived with until I expressed my wish to board at 14yrs. As my parents weren't exactly on the other side of the planet I would see them regularly on weekends, and if anything, it was better for all concerned.

This is altogether a different matter!

[BrilloPad]

Hang on, you play rugger don't you?

You are thinking of football.

HTH

[EternalOptimist]

I always tried to prolong the childhood of my kids as much as possible. Sort of maximise the special magic, no swearing, no sex talk, no harsh realities.
But then they have to rub along with their peers


if their peers see them as child like, or different, then your kids are in for a world of sh!te. so you have to treat them as more grown up than you would like

Its a very fine line. and I feel for every kid who has had part of their childhood robbed because of it

[BrilloPad]

if their peers see them as child like, or different, then your kids are in for a world of sh!te. so you have to treat them as more grown up than you would like

This is very true. My elder autistic one is in many ways too grown up for his age. I try to encourage him, in some ways, to be alot more childish to fit in.

After all life is as not just what you know - it is who you know.

[Mich the Tester]

I always tried to prolong the childhood of my kids as much as possible. Sort of maximise the special magic, no swearing, no sex talk, no harsh realities.
But then they have to rub along with their peers


if their peers see them as child like, or different, then your kids are in for a world of sh!te. so you have to treat them as more grown up than you would like

Its a very fine line. and I feel for every kid who has had part of their childhood robbed because of it

Yep. We deal with kids at the rugby club who've been bullied, working together with other sports clubs and a pscyhologist who volunteers her time. Each time you meet the kids what strikes you is how their childhood is literally being stolen from them and how they act older than their age; we try to give them a bit of childhood back in the form of just being able to play games in a safe environment, as well as the physical, social and emotional skills to get through it. We try, anyway.

[d000hg]

I have no doubt that the majority of Boarding Schools can offer a very good education. With the prices they charge they can attract good quality teaching staff, and they in turn will generally be working with children from the deeper regions of the gene pool. It is therefore not that surprising that with both good quality students and staff, that results are elevated accordingly.
However, the bigger question is "Why did you bother having children if you simply want to farm them off to someone else to raise for you?"
Why not simply buy a dog?

If you consider it an extension of university, what about that... boarding for the last few years as a middle ground between being coddled by mummy, and thrust to fend for yourself in the big bad world?

Yes, teachers never have been too keen on random checks being made on their ability and prowess. Private schools or otherwise.

Very few people in any career would like customers turning up in their place of business. Especially at a school where most parents will feel honour-bound to take their child's side... child claims teacher is horrible, teacher claims child is a little sod, parent complains about teacher