I am a teacher at a boarding school AMA

[OhBeAFineGuyKissMe]

I work in an 11-18 co-ed boarding school. I teach a science subject to years 9 and up.

I know lots of people have lots of questions about boarding schools and it is exeat weekend so I thought I would do an ask me anything.

There is the full range, same as everywhere.

Majority are reasonable.

Some can be entitled, some are disinterested, some are overly interested, some have complex personal issues.

Unfortunately not. But matron getting out the tuck trolley is a highlight for some!

It is very hard to say, but you do have to be able to get on with lots of other people - some of whom you won’t like. Boarding houses can be noisy bustling places at times.

Noooooooooo! sobs no whole fruit cakes? No midnight feasts in a disused classroom after lights out?

Yes, but I also love it. I love getting to know the students a lot more than you could do at state. I like the balance between teaching and doing other stuff and I like being able to teach in full equipped classes.

I don’t know if I will stay in a boarding school for my whole career, it would be nice to have Saturdays back.

do any/most/all of the kids develop attachment disorder from being sent away? or do you just work with secondary age?

So what does happen if the kids need someone overnight? Who is responsible for that?

I just work with secondary age. The students are often very well balanced and want to be at the school.

They got downstairs and ring the doorbell of the houseparent. If they are too unwell for that there room mate would do it for them

Teacher here! I imagine you give so much of yourself in this role, that I wonder if you have time for your own life, especially those who do extra hours/Sundays etc. Do you have your own family?

I say often because they are people, with all the messiness that comes with that. But the vast majority want to be there and are happy at school. Sometime it is their safe space.

What are the supports like for SEN and how much time is spent feeding back to parents? Do you have hours allocated for extra curricular stuff?

That is one of the downsides. I have 2 teens, one still at the school the other off away at uni. They are/were at the school so doing very similar hours to me. Husband also works long hours which can be a strain but we make it work.

It can be very hard if you have young kids or are single as it isn’t conducive to meeting people (and if you live on site you need to let the headmaster know if anyone stays overnight for safeguarding, plus the kids know everything!)

What is the best thing about boarding at your school and what is the worst?
Are there some teachers there that you think aren't suited, I'm imagine you would ideally need to be a particularly nurturing teacher?

I think I'd have liked it myself as a student, but who knows really.

Varies from school to school. The main support is smaller class sizes so more teacher time, if you need a TA it isn’t the right school for you. The learning support department do small group/ 1-2-1 classes and help with exam access and practise.

Extra curricular expectations is built into the contract, I do 3 hours after lesson and a further 5 on a Saturday.

Best thing is the atmosphere and community, it feels like a village.

Worse is the workload, especially with the dark nights. Expectations just creep up.

What’s your salary?

Not all teachers are nurturing. There is a real mix.

Those not suited probably don't realise it is a lifestyle job or don't like the lack of privacy if they live onsite. It is very self selecting.

How many are in each bedroom? I'm guessing it varies by age?

Do you know how flexi boarding works? Do they have their own bed/space where they can leave belongings or is someone else sleeping there when they are at home?

What’s the accommodation like for you and the kids? Are they in actual dorms?

How old do you think is the right age to board?

How much are fees and did you get any money off for your kids?

Don't know about the younger years but year 9 have 3 or 4 per room. Mix of full and flexi. Flexi's have their own beds that noone else uses. By year 13 they are in pairs. There are some singles bit most want to share.

Have you ever worked in a state school? Grammar / Comp etc.

My DD has worked in a couple of boarding schools as an assistant houseparent. She loved it.

Do you have many overseas students? If so how were they affected during covid and the early days of the the Ukrainian war?

Do you live onsite? Do you own a house elsewhere?

Does the school have day pupils too?

I live offsite but the staff accomodation varies hugely from shared houses, flats and family homes.

Dorms are 4 or under, though I think year 7&8 have a few more in.

Would you send your kids to boarding school if you could afford it?

And what is the worst thing, as a student?

Do you manage to retain a decent percentage of staff overtime, when it is so demanding hours-wise?