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Original poster

Has anyone been to boarding school?

27 replies

yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:24

If you went to boarding school, do you have fond memories?
Do you feel it was a good thing that your parents did for you?

OP posts:
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 18/09/2023 20:25

No, but I work in on. So might be able to help. There is a whole boarding board where you will get more answers.

nonamesavailable123 · 18/09/2023 20:27

No hated it and destroyed the person I should have been. I was bullied and I started to self harm. I would never send my kids to one

MissSmiley · 18/09/2023 20:28

I know several people who went to boarding school and needed therapy to get over it

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Private schooling
Caffeinequeen91 · 18/09/2023 20:29

I went as a teen. I loved it. But it was my choice to go.

twistyizzy · 18/09/2023 20:30

DD is a day pupil at a boarding school. My cousin sent her DD to Gordonstoun and DS twins to a southern boarding school.

twistyizzy · 18/09/2023 20:30

DD is a day pupil at a boarding school. My cousin sent her DD to Gordonstoun and DS twins to a southern boarding school.

SophiaElise · 18/09/2023 20:33

I did and hated it (was bullied)

Neolara · 18/09/2023 20:37

Yes, for 6th form. It was the unhappiest time of my life. I left with significant mental health issues that took several years to get over. School did nothing to help. Was 35 years ago though so hope things are different now.

SleepingisanArt · 18/09/2023 20:41

I did. It was necessary at the time and I enjoyed it - did sports that weren't available at the comprehensive school in my home town, met interesting people and became very independent. Still in touch with a couple of people despite it being many years ago. It doesn't suit everyone.

crosstalk · 18/09/2023 20:42

Yes, aged 7. It was something that was just done because of the unhealthy nature of the country we lived in - though I wish I could have gone to one of the local, excellent schools. I did enjoy myself but I loved learning so any problems (bullying, appalling food (often bad), etc just passed me by. I think my parents felt they had no choice and we had a wonderful relationship.

Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:45

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 18/09/2023 20:25

No, but I work in on. So might be able to help. There is a whole boarding board where you will get more answers.

Thank you for your comment but I think I am one of the rare people that genuinely loved it! So I didn't post this for any traumatic reasons.

I'm sure it depends on which school and where you went though.

OP posts:
Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:47

@OhBeAFineGuyKissMe
What's the name of that thread? I love your username btw... very funny!

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 18/09/2023 20:47

Yes. My parents were trying to do something good for me, but it was pretty damaging for our relationship. It isn’t natural or healthy to not be with anyone who loves you when you are a child. I chose not to send my dds.
The one good thing is that I made friends who are still much loved many decades on.

Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:49

SleepingisanArt · 18/09/2023 20:41

I did. It was necessary at the time and I enjoyed it - did sports that weren't available at the comprehensive school in my home town, met interesting people and became very independent. Still in touch with a couple of people despite it being many years ago. It doesn't suit everyone.

I thrived at mine too. Where was your school? Obviously I don't expect the name but would you mind sharing the area?
I am thinking of sending my daughter. She's keen to go.

OP posts:
Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:52

crosstalk · 18/09/2023 20:42

Yes, aged 7. It was something that was just done because of the unhealthy nature of the country we lived in - though I wish I could have gone to one of the local, excellent schools. I did enjoy myself but I loved learning so any problems (bullying, appalling food (often bad), etc just passed me by. I think my parents felt they had no choice and we had a wonderful relationship.

Gosh. The school doesn't sound too great. I am thinking of sending my daughter but she wants to go so I'm not forcing her at all.
Do you mind telling me which area the school was in? No names of course.

OP posts:
EveryOtherNameTaken · 18/09/2023 20:54

I did weekly boarding for a year and loved it. Always mucking about and laughing well into the night. Strict as hell but so many great memories.

memyselfi · 18/09/2023 20:56

I loved it . It was a refuge from a horrible home life.

Fiery30 · 18/09/2023 20:58

Yes, i loved it. It changed me as a person. Made me confident and I realised all that I am capable of. I had excellent teachers and great support staff.

Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 20:59

EveryOtherNameTaken · 18/09/2023 20:54

I did weekly boarding for a year and loved it. Always mucking about and laughing well into the night. Strict as hell but so many great memories.

Ha mine was like that too. Very old school with the matrons who didn't have a clue!

OP posts:
CrossingBoundaries007 · 18/09/2023 21:00

I echo SirVixofVixHall's sentiments. There is something unnatural about it. My mum also went to one and I think it affected her negatively also.

LetUsPounce · 18/09/2023 21:00

Yes, full boarding for sixth form. I really liked it as I was academic and in an academic school and it suited me. My DD is also a full sixth form boarder who loves it.

SockQueen · 18/09/2023 21:05

I went to one as a day pupil. It had plenty of pros and cons.

I actually went to a reunion (21 years on!) recently, having not seen anyone from school in most of that time, and it was strange how little people had changed - obviously a lot of life has happened in between, but many people at their core were very similar. It was a very intense environment at a formative stage of our lives, so I suppose it's not too surprising that the bonds were still strong. Sadly it hasn't worked out well for everyone in our year though - a not-insignificant number with drugs/alcohol/MH problems. Not sure if that's related to the boarding school or many other issues though.

Original poster
yorkandbox · 18/09/2023 21:05

SirVixofVixHall · 18/09/2023 20:47

Yes. My parents were trying to do something good for me, but it was pretty damaging for our relationship. It isn’t natural or healthy to not be with anyone who loves you when you are a child. I chose not to send my dds.
The one good thing is that I made friends who are still much loved many decades on.

I'm sorry. That sounds very sad. I never thought about it as not being with someone who loves you 😞

OP posts:
Justcallmebebes · 18/09/2023 21:06

Full boarder from 11 with family abroad. Hated it. This was 70's/80's tho and it was v strict and quite brutal

welshweasel · 18/09/2023 21:08

Yes. I went at 8 and stayed til I left school. Forces family, had older siblings there. Absolutely loved it, gave me an amazing and stable education, fabulous life long friends and opportunities I wouldn't have had locally.

I have a good relationship with my parents and am happily married with 2 kids.