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Original poster

How many people do you know with children in boarding school?

112 replies

Intoand · 13/11/2023 01:39

Curious about this as, living in London, and having children in school and friends with children in school about how many seem to be looking into boarding or have children boarding currently. Although not a crazy amount it’s more than I would have thought. Two of my friends have children boarding, and another is looking into a girls boarding school for her DD. Some of what I’ve heard has been friends of friends too, but still more than I originally thought.

OP posts:
JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 13/11/2023 08:40

None. Why would they be part of my mums circle? They're out having a good time 🤣

volunteersruz · 13/11/2023 08:54

zero ...but i know loads of people who went to boarding school themselves (ourselves included)

2chocolateoranges · 13/11/2023 08:56

I know of 2 families who’s children have been to boarding school at one point in their lives However both were military families and this gave the children stability as their fathers moved about .

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Enderunicorn · 13/11/2023 08:57

Zero.

KnittedCardi · 13/11/2023 09:02

None now. DH and I had a number of friends who boarded, and DD has a few friends who boarded. Unfortunately all of them have various issues and behaviours due to their experiences. It's not something I would do by choice.

Ozgirl75 · 13/11/2023 09:03

Quite a few as my son goes to a school that is day and boarding (he doesn’t board). They tend to be the scholarship children or the ones with parents who either work overseas or are overseas students.

MariaMeringue · 13/11/2023 09:08

My DC are both at a state boarding school. Only the boarding element is paid for - it's a state school, so the tuition is free. This makes it a very reasonablly priced option - approximately equivalent in fees to an independent day school in the same area.

It's an excellent school and DS and DD are very happy there. Please feel free to PM me if you would like any more information. There are quite a few other state boarding schools in the UK (I think about 35).

LaChienneDesFromages · 13/11/2023 09:27

Teddleshon · 13/11/2023 08:00

Too many to count. I live near a University City that despite having some of the best independent day schools in the country and to which people travel to on a daily basis from miles and miles away, almost every local posh person sends their children away to board at schools that are demonstrably inferior in almost every respect. That respect of course being the opportunity to hang out with red trousered people.

I honestly find it baffling and not sure they realise that the world has changed.

I think we might be near neighbours. We are near a big city with fantastic schooling options (and a silicon Fen?) And I agree with you- it’s baffling.

Namechangeagain2023 · 13/11/2023 09:33

DD is in a day house at a school with boarding. Loads of her friends board for part of the week, so say, Tuesday - Friday. She’s 6th form so it’s a brilliant balance if they like the idea of boarding. She has no interest so she doesn’t. I don’t know any children who do full or even full weekly boarding

Sdpbody · 13/11/2023 09:56

We don't know anyone. Our children are in private school, and the jump to boarding is over double.

eurochick · 13/11/2023 09:58

One. I was quite surprised at the decision tbh. I don't think either of the parents boarded. They do both do quite a lot of work travel but still have younger kids at home so have childcare in place.

My child attends an indie that does boarding but it seems to be mostly foreign kids that board.

My husband boarded from a young age and is very against it for our child.

Teddleshon · 13/11/2023 10:07

@LaChienneDesFromages yup, you are correct. Isn’t it bizarre?!

RampantIvy · 13/11/2023 10:07

Please can someone explain what the term "red trousers" means.

TheDuchessOfMN · 13/11/2023 10:29

One family, close friends of mine. 4 kids. 2 currently boarding, the next two will at 12.
Both parents also boarded. It wouldn’t be for me but the dc are happy.

MariaVT65 · 13/11/2023 10:36

None. I could never send my kids to one either. The only person I know who went to one hated it as well.

RuthW · 13/11/2023 11:52

1

MabelsBeats · 13/11/2023 11:56

Loads, because I have a child who boards.

margotrose · 13/11/2023 11:57

Zero but I went to a private school so had lots of friends who boarded there growing up.

Dibblydoodahdah · 13/11/2023 12:01

Only one full boarder but quite a few who flexi board (one night per week or more). DS2 goes to a private school that offers flexi boarding and it’s very popular from 13+. I can’t see DS2 every wanting to board even if we could afford it but the ones who do seem to love it!

TripleDaisySummer · 13/11/2023 12:03

None.

Though have met adults who went - they seem happy they did so but often haven't done it for their own children.

Vettrianofan · 13/11/2023 12:04

Zero

SaltyGod · 13/11/2023 12:07

A few with children currently boarding at 13+. Mostly the well known schools, mix of boys and girls. Some 8+ as they are choristers who have to board.

I know lots of adults who boarded themselves as children and with the exception of one, they all seem very happy with it.

DancingAllNight · 13/11/2023 12:08

A few, but I don’t know them well.

In my group of friends and their partners, 4 went to boarding school but all said they would never send their children.

SgtJuneAckland · 13/11/2023 12:10

Only one but he has significant additional needs, and can be quite aggressive at home so residential weekday placement was the best solution for the family (including another child) and also for him, he is much calmer at school where he has the appropriate support and resources. The parents tried everything to keep him at home and were heart broken when the realisation hit that this was the only remaining option, I know mum better than dad and she's much more comfortable now seeing how happy he is with the arrangement.