Boarding - positives please

I didn't board and never wanted to but I went daily to a boarding school which I thought was great. Several of the girls lived within a mile of the school - one 200 yards away! - but they chose to board because they thought it was more fun to be with their friends.

Four of DD's friends went to boarding schools - all different ones - and they all think it's terrific. One in particular wasn't doing particularly well at prep school but her results have shot up since she started to board. They have to do prep in the library at a set time and this routine is clearly beneficial to this particular girl.

Good for increasing their social lives, especially if an only child or a long distance from friends.

Pros
Great for highly mobile families as it allows children to stay in one school, one system, and develop long lasting friendships.
Great for parents who want a particular school for their children but live a long way away. (Subject offering, extra curricular, SEN of all types).
Great for parents who work long hours/are tied up with a sibling with SEN/ are themselves ill.
For the right child - robust, self starter, not too sensitive - community living is great. Develops independence, tolerance, confidence.
Friends permanently on tap.

Cons
Can be purgatory for a sensitive child. "Banter" can hurt.
Can be a bit of a parallel universe - everyone rolling in money and wearing designer clothes
You don't see your children as much as you might like (though usually they do not care!)
Expensive and getting more so - which means the peer group is getting more and more restrictive.
There will be occasions when they might need you, but you are not there.

I was a Houseparent in a boys house- we had fun, so much fun!

Weekday evenings involved prep but house staff made sure the boys were happy with their work, and if they weren't they would let the teacher who set it know. There was down time in the evenings too and the boys could watch TV, play games, read, play outside, pretty much whatever they wanted.

We made sure that weekends were fun too and as well as the organised trips we had other activities in-house they could do. We had a movie on Saturday evening with popcorn or ice creams. Then we would settle them down with hot chocolate and toast before bed.

Houseparents are always happy to talk to parents too, if you are worried or missing your son we want to know so we can reassure you.

It's like summer camp EVERY DAY. You wake up with your friends around.The independence of running your own life (within the school schedule) is exciting and helped me grow and learn to be flexible. I met people from all over the world. And going home for weekends was something to really look forward to.