Boarding schools - planning for Brexit?

[Tonsilss]

My DD is at a UK boarding school. We are also in the UK, but hundreds of miles away.
We now have only 50 days to a likely no deal Brexit.
I've asked the Head what contingency plans are in place for the effects of a no deal. This is in the current context of expected serious food, medication and fuel shortages, the possibility of contaminated tap water, no facilities for disposing of waste, civil unrest and an increase in crime (eg looting / burglaries).
He has told me that the school has not made any plans in respect of Brexit. And that other schools haven't either (the school is in some kind of independent schools association). Apparently it is too early to be making any contingency plans. The school has not written to any parents (whether UK or international) in relation to Brexit. I imagine that some international parents will have little or no idea of what is going on in the UK.
Can I ask whether anyone else has a child at boarding school and is worried about what will happen, both in respect of the Easter holiday (shortly after Brexit), and in respect of the summer term? Have your schools made any preparations or even just plans to do so?

[Tonsilss]

I'm hoping I'm not alone with this worry?

[Zodlebud]

I think you might be alone on this one. We’ll probably just all sit back and put the kettle on instead of falling into nationwide civil unrest and dealing with contaminated water supplies (I’m really not sure where you’ve got that one from).

In all honesty I think we’ll have a slightly odd six months where we might not be able to get strawberries (unless they’re British), but the world is not going to end.

[Takeittotheboss]

You are not alone. I too am very worried as to what preparations , if any, have been made by the schools. So far, parents have had no information on anything Brexit-related.

[Tonsilss]

This job advert just put out by the government is doing nothing to reassure me that our only concern will be a lack of imported strawberries:
www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/08/brexit-no-deal-crisis-command-centre-starts-hiring-civilians

[happygardening]

Frankly I’d be less worried about boarding schools but worrying about what the NHS is doing, an organisation not know for it’s forward planning.

[Comefromaway]

Contaminated water supplies? Civil unrest?

I thought you were going to be talking about student visas and such like.

[Zodlebud]

£400 a day for being unflappable when all those around you are losing their heads. Sign me up!!!!

If it all goes to pot then it will be the same at your home as it would at boarding school. You trust them to look after your child normally in all circumstances so why not Brexit? Are you stockpiling water purification tablets at home ready for the event?

Of course I think about all the potential scenarios post Brexit (whatever way it happens) but I certainly don’t worry about it. We are all developed countries. Do you honestly think if the UK had a shortage of bare essentials that the EU wouldn’t put into place emergency ruling to ensure these items got through? The EU needs the UK just as much as we need them. There will be some flexibility. We are not talking about the North / South Korean border here.

[Tonsilss]

Like many other people, I am stockpiling some food and other essentials (and even a few water purification tablets). The school, on the other hand, with a large number of boarders on their hands, is doing absolutely nothing.
The school does have plans in place for the event of a fire in a boarding house, for instance. There are fire alarms linked to the Fire Brigade, and fire drills for the boarders. But nothing, not a single word or action, to prepare for a No Deal Brexit, which is now the most likely scenario in only 50 days' time.
I'm worried about the NHS too - short term and long term. But that's for a different thread.

[Tonsilss]

A lot of people are likely to experience, very soon now, that the UK needs the EU a hell of a lot more than the EU needs the UK. And it's not their job to save us from our own politicians.

[Donmesswime]

Have you a specific worry?

[anniehm]

Other parents have raised this with DD's school - we have been told not to worry. As it's just before the Easter break they do have wriggle room and I believe that things won't be that bad - shortages will be in specific things rather than staples

[Tonsilss]

I'm worried about whether she'll be able to get home, 1 week after Brexit day. And back again. And about food shortages, etc.

[Tonsilss]

A lot of staples are imported.

[Redskyandrainbows67]

I agree with you - the school should be making some contingency plans

The head probably voted leave!

People are completely underestimating the impact of a no deal on the uk.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Why can’t you pick her up to get her home?

[Redskyandrainbows67]

But yes - she’s your daughter - you should be planning to pick her up.

[Tonsilss]

It takes 2 days to drive there and 2 days back. In a situation when there will likely be fuel shortages.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

2 days?? You’re in the uk and she’s in the uk? Sorry, but can’t see that’s possible.

[Tonsilss]

I'd love to hear from other parents of boarders?

[Tonsilss]

It is possible. I've done the trip several times. It's not Lands End to John O Groats but it's similar.

[errorofjudgement]

I’m the parent of a boarder who will be sitting her A level exams starting in May. We have not had any specific Brexit info and I’m not expecting any. I assume the school will cope, just like the rest of us, though there may be a few weeks of more tinned goods than usual!
Presumably your DD has friends who live closer to the school than you? In the highly unlikely event the school had to close and you cannot get there I’m sure some kind Mum would take in your DD for a couple of days.
Was there a particular reason for your DD being in a school so very far from home? And how do you cope with weekend exeats?

[GaribaldiGirl]

Is this post real? The UK is only about 880 miles in length. I think even a Reliant Robin could do that in less than two days.

And why on earth would the water be contaminated? Not heard that one...

One of my sons is a boarder. I’m sure he’s hoping there will be chaos and he’ll be allowed to live solely on Walkers crisps (from potatoes grown, cooked and bagged in the UK) and Kitkats (made in York) but I’m sure he’ll be disappointed.

[1805]

That's a very long way from home. I'm intrigued now as the locations involved! Maybe Channel Islands??

But, no, I'm not too worried. I'm sure my DC's schools are more organised than me anyway, so I guess they'll be better off at school!

[Tonsilss]

They won't be able to live off tinned goods if they're not buying in any tinned goods. That's the whole issue. They're doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, if I drove non-stop, I'd be able to do it in less time than that. But I'm assuming rest stops and sleeping overnight and at least the usual traffic problems.

[Tonsilss]

Here's hoping that a friend's family will be happy to have her to stay for the 3 week Easter holiday just after Brexit day, if necessary. It's a big ask though.