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.

Is there a different attitude from the staff between boarding and day pupils?

We have a small number of overseas and yes there was some tension at the start of the Ukraine war. But it was resolved reasonably through conversations.

I did my training in state schools.

I'm on the equivalent of ups1 so around £40,000 and an extra role of £4000. Plus fee remission for my son.

Good thread.

My parents were house parents for teenage girls at a boarding school - now retired, they are held in such high regard by their former pupils.

The doorbell ringing at all hours was a feature of my childhood!

Worst thing as a student varies. Some will say too much sport. Others too much structure, especially the older years. Too many petty (to a teenagers mind) rules they have to stick to. The unreasonableness of having to tidy their rooms.

Really I suspect it's long hours and they get tired.

None. Day and boarding are treated thr same, some go to bed in house and some go home. They all in mixed houses, day and boarding, and the day students still have a dorm room - just without beds.

Thanks OP, great thread.

Do you talk to the support staff-cleaners, garden staff, grounds and admins?

I work in a boarding school as support staff and most teachers struggle to even speak to us, I myself have given up speaking to them as just ignored.

Do you like events where teachers and support staff mix?

What kind of backgrounds do the children come from? Do they board because that's what their parents did, or are their parents abroad in the army, etc?

Have you seen demand for boarding increasing in overseas parents and declining in UK based? For UK parents is it the case that unless there are family issues such as lots of travelling or other commitments then boarding is not appealing as before say 30-40 years ago. Except prestigious schools such as Eton, Winchester, Malborough. I mean who would want to pack their kids away at 13 when they can see them every night?

Everyone seems to talk to each other. I can only speak for myself but yes I speak to all the gardeners, porters, maintaince and admin. We have 1 communal space for all and staff events, end of year, welcoming new staff and Christmas are for all.

What's the mental health of the kids like? Are eating disorders rife? Self harm?

Would you send your dc to a boarding school you didn't teach at? (Assuming it was affordable and the DC wanted to etc)

My son sounds not dissimilar to yours (no diagnosis though). He was assessed for 13+ entry by two boarding schools age 10 and 11 who were concerned he wouldn't cope with boarding. It wasn't until he was 12 that he'd matured enough for everyone to agree it would work, and he went to his school of choice via scholarship entry.

On the whole it has worked out extremely well for him (now yr 13), I think 13 is quite a good age to start boarding based on our experiences.

How has your school been impacted by the changes in tax treatment of providing staff accommodation?

I haven't seen it. What age is it based on? Most of our boarders are weekly/flexi so still have lots of contact home. And are 13+.

Neither eating disorders or self harm is rife but of course present. We have a good pastoral support network for those who are affected with trained staff in the health centre.

All teaching staff are first aid trained and about half are mental health first aid trained aa will.

We need a certain number of people on site so accomodation is provided as essential to do their jobs. I think. I know there have been changes but not fully sure what the impact is.

Yes. We live very close to the school but they have both done odd nights at school. If I didn't work in one and they wanted to then I would be happy. Probably weekly, that seems a good balance

Do you know how easy it is to recruit? Just wondering if it's more competitive or harder to find candidates than day schools.

Do you teach celebrity children (or have you)?

Did you go to boarding school? And are most of the other staff from an Independent boarding background?

It is very much a culture and whole way of life.

What are you actual working hours? When can you switch off and be mum/wife each day to your own family?

No celebrities.

Insightful thread, thank you 🌸
DD attends an international boarding school, as a day pupil (prep), but said she’d love to be a weekly/flexi boarder when she’s older (I fear she’s been reading too many Enid Blyton books 🤣)