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Original poster

Marlborough College - rowdy?

30 replies

SurprisedSara · 20/05/2025 23:15

My DD is attending Marlborough College next year, she is entering at Sixth Form. She is very excited for the boarding environment, but I really can't help but be anything but nervous. I've heard stories of it being particularly rowdy and having a history of drinking and partying?

We were quite happy when she got in, though I'm sure admissions mustn't have been competitive as she didn't study or prepare at all for the exams. However, we are seriously doubting our decision to send her. Any advice appreciated.

DD is very sporty, outgoing and outdoorsy.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 21/05/2025 07:42

What difference does economic background make? If dd is on a bursary, she’s not the only one. If you are paying fees, you’ve got serious spare money.

My DDs boarded and no one really cared about money in the 6th form. Plenty had way more money than we did! If your DD is going to be judgemental, and you don’t like other dc and families because they have more money than you, (all of them?) you should not have considered it. But you have and, frankly, you need to get over your pre conceptions. You must have met pupils when you looked round! Were they “normal” or not? By the way, even dc who go to parties are decent dc.

Original poster
SurprisedSara · 21/05/2025 00:20

NottsNora · 20/05/2025 23:39

She’ll fit right in. Just make sure she is patient crossing the road.

Glad to hear! She has been fretting as we are not of the same economic background as most kids in attendance.

OP posts:
Original poster
SurprisedSara · 21/05/2025 00:19

TizerorFizz · 20/05/2025 23:53

@SurprisedSara Does she follow everyone she meets without thinking first? Is she easily led? If neither of these apply what does it matter what a minority do? You will always get a few noisy out-there types in (boarding) schools but do they drink and have parties in the boarding houses? Really? Of course dc might have parties as they will become 18 in the 6th form but attendance at parties is usually by invitation. Just make sure DD doesn’t fall in with the wrong crowd and get invited. If all goes completely wrong and she’s popular, don’t take her to the party. Unless it’s in the boarding house of course.

She is very confident in her decisions, I do trust her to make the right call. I suppose there won't be much room for partying as it is full boarding (hopefully). She's a focused girl.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 20/05/2025 23:53

@SurprisedSara Does she follow everyone she meets without thinking first? Is she easily led? If neither of these apply what does it matter what a minority do? You will always get a few noisy out-there types in (boarding) schools but do they drink and have parties in the boarding houses? Really? Of course dc might have parties as they will become 18 in the 6th form but attendance at parties is usually by invitation. Just make sure DD doesn’t fall in with the wrong crowd and get invited. If all goes completely wrong and she’s popular, don’t take her to the party. Unless it’s in the boarding house of course.

NottsNora · 20/05/2025 23:39

She’ll fit right in. Just make sure she is patient crossing the road.