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

[Intoand]

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.

Zero current. Two previous (now young adults)

Obviously not that precious to her!

I know a few people (mostly through work) with disabled children at specialist residential schools, but I'm guessing this isn't really what you meant.

I met quite a few people at university, and have had a couple of colleagues/bosses over the years who went to boarding schools. Of those who've had kids, I don't think anyone has chosen it for their own children.

Loads, because we have children who board. DH and I both boarded.

None

With military kids...who pays for their schooling?

@smilesup this person is completely sold on how wonderful her childrens top public schools are. She wholeheartedly believes that she is giving them the best start. She went to the local comp, and married a rich man (big house, country estate, inherited money). If her husband had been the second son, she wouldn't have been able to afford it. He's never had a well paid job, nor her, but he has a large inheritance. It'll be interesting to see if public school sets up all the children for life, like she imagines. They are planning to stick with primogeniture.

Some Military families recieve a grant towards boarding school. Its quite tight criteria (the posting can only be a couple of years, the spouse (if there is one) has to move with them, children are 8-18yo). Then a lot of schools also have bursaries for them.

Quite a lot chose the State boarding schools.

None

From what I’ve heard from military friends funding used to be a lot more generous and cover any school, so plenty of them and their siblings went to Eton, Downe House etc. It’s now a lot more modest and that’s caused some unhappiness for some. My tiny violin played when I heard about one person who’d left the army as a result of the changes.

We didn't know anyone while DD was in state education. However, she was adamant she wanted to go to a private school for sixth form, so went out and got herself a scholarship (and luckily for us a bursary came with it), so at that time I'd say we knew two lots of parents very well as DD was close friends with theirs, and then there were about four joint parents we'd regularly chat to on social occasions at the school.

Several. But I do move in quite posh circles.

I also know a child with profound additional needs who boards. But I presume that's not who you're asking about.