28/02/2022
How to choose the right Boarding School in the UK
We have compiled our give top questions to ask, to help you find the best-fit boarding school for your child and family in England.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S ETHOS AND CULTURE?
The ethos of boarding schools in the UK can vary greatly. Many continue to promote a classic approach with a traditional curriculum and strict uniform policies, while others encapsulate a more modern ethos and support individuality and creative thinking. It’s important to consider your own family’s beliefs and if the school you are researching fits with these. You can review a school’s ethos on their website by searching for their vision and values, however it’s also vital to visit the school virtually or in person to get a true feeling for these in action.
Ask for evidence on how the school lives its values and question what they believe their core ethos to be. If you get the chance to speak to the boarding students, this will help give you a better understanding of the school’s personality and culture too.
WHAT CURRICULUM DOES THE SCHOOL FOLLOW AND WHAT ARE THE SUBJECT CHOICES?
This is a key differentiating factor among UK boarding schools. Most offer the traditional British curriculum with GCSEs and A Levels, however an increasing number of schools, predominantly international, offer a wide variety of opportunities including the world renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) and American curriculum programmes such as the Advanced Placement (AP). If your child is transitioning from a school outside of the UK, or you are likely to move again in the future, you may wish to consider schools which offer an international-based curriculum.
In addition to the curriculum, you can look at the subjects offered at the school as some still focus on the core, traditional subjects, while others have a broader mix including subjects such as film, photography, fashion, architecture and many more. It’s also key to consider academic rigour. Is a challenging curriculum appropriate for your child or will they thrive in a more well-rounded environment? Understanding this will further help finalise your choice.
WILL THE SCHOOL SUIT MY CHILD’S STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS?
When you’re considering a boarding school, it’s important to understand if the school has a particular focus. Do they have excellent sporting facilities and participate in local and international competitions? Do they have a strong performing arts curriculum and high-quality facilities? What are their STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] facilities? This can help ensure the school will be able to nurture your child’s talents and interests.
Additionally, discover what co-curricular activities are on offer during the school day, in the evenings and weekends. If you get the opportunity to speak to some of the boarding students, ask them what they do in their free time, what teams they are on, do they play a musical instrument or participate in any clubs? Usually their answers are enthusiastic and give you an indication of the opportunities available at the school.
WHERE IS THE SCHOOL LOCATED?
There are excellent boarding schools located in both urban and countryside environments in the UK. For practical purposes, it’s important to understand how the school is linked to major airports and train stations.
Countryside settings are beautiful and can offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, however it’s good to know if your child will be able to access town centres independently, if they require, and how far away major cities are to access museums and cultural activities.
Remember to ask what the rules are about independent travel so that it meets your expectations on the amount of freedom students can have as boarding students. Schools can vary here, although all schools will have pastoral care and safety as a primary objective for the students within their care.
WILL MY CHILD BE HAPPY AT THIS BOARDING SCHOOL?
Without a doubt, this is probably one of the most important questions for families. When your child is away from home, you need to ensure that the school provides excellent pastoral care to support their wellbeing and academic development. Ask each school about the team they have available to your child. How many Houseparents and tutors do they have as part of the boarding team and do they live on site? Is a school counsellor assigned to each student and how often do they meet? Some schools have robust pastoral care programmes, so find out as much about these as possible.
By talking to different members of staff, such as the Admissions teams and Head of Boarding, you will be able to gauge the support on offer to your child. It’s also imperative to know the settling-in process for new students.
For an official viewpoint, Independent Schools Council (ISC) member schools in England are subject to an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which examines not only academic standards and teaching, but also the quality of learning, the behaviour of pupils, the curricula and extracurricular activities, school buildings and resources, and many other factors. You should be able to access a school’s ISI report via their website.
QUESTION CHECKLIST
In addition to these key questions, it is essential to understand the practical aspects of the boarding offer at each school on your shortlist.
Practical
What is the policy on personal devices? What happens on a weekend?
Do they offer single or double bedrooms?
Are the dorms single sex?
What is the nationality mix?
Do the Houseparents and Head of Boarding live on site?
Is there a medical centre?
Is there a behaviour and anti-bullying policy?
Academic
Will my child get support for their academic studies?
Where will they study?
What are the top universities students go on to?
Is there any English language support offered?
Is study time supervised?
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Find out what the entry points are for the school and what tests are required.
How do I apply? | What are the fees?
Finally, it’s good to understand your child’s own perception of the school. Do they believe they would be happy here? Usually what leads to a decision is the combination of practical considerations and an emotional pull towards a school and it’s a good idea to have a family approach to choosing the right fit. Admissions teams are there to help and support your enquiries and it’s always recommended to visit the school either via a virtual tour or in person.
