To wonder which fictional boarding school you'd like to have attended?

[Clothrabbit]

For me, Malory Towers. I still love those books and always enjoy reading about the outdoor pool, Gwendoline's misdemeanours, and Mamzelle's eccentricities.

Elmbury orSt Trianians

Not convinced by the quality of teaching at Hogwarts, or their health and safety record. If they sorted that out I'd go there then

Mallory Towers. Though at my actual boarding school, there were no midnight feasts (mis-sold).

One of the Angela Brazil schools, The Woodlands or The school on the cliff. I love the sound of the excursions, the afternoon teas with jam and cream, the impromptu parties and best summer uniforms of green Liberty silk.

Hogwarts - the staircases that go to different places, the talking portraits, Moaning Myrtle, Potions class, Professor McGonagall. But I would not have been a quidditch player, I was terrified enough by lacrosse.

I've been to Kylemore Abbey several times, including when it was a boarding school - they only let you into the foyer then. It is indeed beautiful, although on a lovely sunny day, isn't spooky at all!

It is nestled against the rocky Connemara hills, and there is a tiny Virgin Mary statue way up in the hills looking down.

I didn't realise there was a book set there!

Hogwarts..... Hate owls though mmm 🐦

Oooh that's a tough one. Growing up it would have been Mallory towers as I adored the books but now it's got to be Hogwarts.

Another vote for Trebizon. I don't think I would have coped well at Hogwart's.

Yes Malory Towers for me as well. I've spent a lot of time in the part of Dorset where Enid Blyton spent her holidays and have been to the spot upon which the outdoor swimming pool is based. There is a real one that is tidal. I just expect Darrell Rivers and friends to appear at any moment!

None - don’t like the idea of boarding schools. Sending children away at a young age for weeks/months at a time is in my view child cruelty

Trebizon too.

Trebizon because it just seemed so cool...they had boyfriends!
I also went through a phase of fantasizing about going to the Chalet school.

Kingscote for the plays (natch).

Though actually I'd prefer the chalet school (preferably Tyrol years). I'd like to go on one of those excursions were someone falls into the lake and nearly dies. Never a dull moment. And the food always sounded delicious.

Trebizon if I was more sporty.

St Clare's. OR at least Redroofs

Malory Towers - and my DDs also loved the series, though the passage of time must have made much of the context a bit incomprehensible to them.

My mother, who had hated her boarding school, used to use ‘ I’ll send you away to boarding school ‘ as her punishment for bad behaviour threat - with me saying ‘ yes ! Yes, please ! ‘

Definitely the Chalet School for me! All that Kaffee und Kuchen (but mostly the Kuchen) and the feather duvets and the good hearted country peasants feeding you cheese every time you sprain your ankle on a hillside. It would be lovely!

Definitely hogwarts no contest!

I actually did board and loved it! In fiction though, probably the Chalet School (although I think I'd have been ok at St Trinians!) the food, the excursions, the languages, the gentian blue, plus most girls seemed kind and you were made for life if you bagged a doctor. I went to a church school so I'd cope with the religion ok, I think.

I enjoyed the MT books but could see the girls were too sporty & far too bullying for me! Would have been a good little ravenclaw at Hogwarts but nothing extraordinary.

Kingscote, definitely. And I would want to be in Nicola's class.

Another wannabee Trebizonian here. They got to learn to surf, have beach parties and date boys, although some of the plots were a bit over-contrived and fantastical! I liked the Head, Miss Welbeck, who most of the students seemed to have girl-crushes on.

St Clare's and Malory Towers: only in adulthood can I see what horrible bullies populated those places. Poor old Gwendoline Mary had every bad character trait dumped on her, was the scapegoat for every situation going and was the girl her 'friends' loved to dump at the end of every term. Alicia, the alleged 'cool' girl of the class, was much more of a piece of work than Gwen - vindictive and a nasty bully - yet the narrator clearly means our sympathies to be with her. She's awful!

As for St Clare's, same old with Alison the 'feather-head' who is continually patronised for her intimate friendships (same as every other girl in school, then) and love of the cinema. And what's wrong with that, may I ask?

Oh, and Mrs Florence's school in the Katy books where they survived on a horrible diet of 'pudding', their water froze in the pitchers and 'flirting' was frowned upon with a deadly, puritanical zeal. Yeuch! That said, Rose Red was and remains one of my favourite characters ever.

Maybe as a kid I was far too heavily invested in these books, but can I just say that I love this thread: thank you OP!

Graybridge

I've just been reading The Right St. John's, an ancient school story by Christine Chaundler. At St.John's:

• there is a private beach
• all girls have their own bedroom
• they can take their pets to school

-they don't have to play hockey or do strenuous sports

• they have delicious teas with lots of cakes

Sounds like a boarding school I could have enjoyed! I've always thought Hogwarts sounded a bit dangerous - high risk of death or magical injury. Most of them are far too spartan or sporty.

Not the Chalet School. All that enforced religion and healthy day long walks. You just know they’d only switch on the WiFi between 7 and 8am on a Saturday.

I think Kingscote would have been miserable, but might suit my inner misanthrope. I could spend all my time in Noah’s Ark.

Hogwarts, no doubt about it! I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter