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Original poster

Experiencing boarding school in the holidays??

21 replies

Jaffacakesareyummy · 08/02/2015 14:00

I want to give my son a taste of boarding life and was wondering if anyone knew of any summer schools (Only for a week) ran by private schools?? I can only find English courses??

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 08/02/2015 14:03

I think Bromsgrove school do boarding as part of their summer scheme

LIZS · 08/02/2015 14:05

Marlborough do several and there are definitely many others including sports camps , our LA arts department run music residentials.

morethanpotatoprints · 08/02/2015 14:13

That's a really good idea, I wish we had done that.
We will just have to wait until a place is offered and they have a trial at boarding before starting, but its too late once you have accepted a place.
Not that we have yet iyswim. Grin

Original poster
Jaffacakesareyummy · 08/02/2015 15:13

Thank you. Bromsgrove school seem to only offer 2 weeks which I think might be too much. Will keep looking and report back!

OP posts:
Tiggermum14 · 08/02/2015 15:18

I know that there's a sports camp run at Bryanston School in the summer holidays - not exactly a taster of boarding (as there's no 'school' but at least part of the experience...) Just googled and looks like it's called All Sports. HTH - I think you have identified a gap in the market!

Medoc · 08/02/2015 15:22

Liz's could you give a clue where you are, or a pm please? DD1 would adore a music summer school and Ive no idea where to begin looking.

EdithWeston · 08/02/2015 15:26

You might like to have a browse at uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk/childrens-courses which include ones for music, sport, drama and tech.

It's not a school experience as such (no lessons), though they do stay and eat in the regular boarding houses and some of the staff are matrons during term time.

Original poster
Jaffacakesareyummy · 08/02/2015 21:35

Thank you Edith
I've requested an info pack. Do you know much about it?? Quality of care etc?

OP posts:
Medoc · 09/02/2015 00:22

Thanks Edith, that looks very interesting Smile

EdithWeston · 09/02/2015 14:24

Yes, my DC have been to courses there and I've been very happy with both the quality of the actual activity and with the wider care.

LIZS · 09/02/2015 15:51

Medoc have pm'd you

PeppermintDrop99 · 09/02/2015 21:47

My daughter had a taster weekend at the boarding school we were considering last year. Then last summer, we signed her up for a week at XUK (Google it), to get more of a taste of being away from home. You can chose any of the 6 weeks of summer and she had an absolutely BRILLIANTLY time! Age range is from 6 up to 16/17, loads of activities and they are divided into good age groups for the boarding and activities, plus a mix of UK And international students. She wants to go back again this summer.

The staff are fantastic, food was delicious (she said) and they do pick up and drop off from a location in North London or the main airports. Or you do it yourself. She's chosen their pick up / drop off this year, because they all arrive as firm friends following the coach journey.

Medoc · 09/02/2015 23:33

Thank you Lizs Smile

mistlethrush · 09/02/2015 23:37

We go on a music week every year (with DS) at a boarding school - to be honest I don't think that it gives a very good impression of what being at boarding school is like - they even change the food for us. That and the fact that there are no lessons and the swimming pool is open for 3 hrs every afternoon.....

Medoc · 09/02/2015 23:44

mistlethrush- would you mind pming which it is?
We're more after the music week thing than the boarding thing, I just sort of hopped on the thread Blush

Usernamerunningout · 10/02/2015 19:34

Medoc have a look at musicmakers.co.uk

Feellikescrooge · 11/02/2015 14:27

Not relevant I know, but last summer I came across a group of teenage girls from Uppingham and they stood out as the nicest and most charming group of school children I have ever come across.

stealthsquiggle · 11/02/2015 21:34

If he's into sports then there are plenty of residential summer course based at boarding schools - I know Oundle and Bryanston do them for sure. There are also general outward bound type ones at Sedbergh.

OP - they may be easier to find if you start from the sport/activity, rather than the school, IYSWIM. Often they are not directly related to the school, but are just using their facilities, and may employ some of the staff. I know there are summer schools at my DC's (mostly boarding) prep school that run on this model - there is no direct link to them from the school website or anything like that, though.

stealthsquiggle · 11/02/2015 21:37

Like this, medoc?

Medoc · 12/02/2015 00:29

Oh, thank you both! Smile

Want2bSupermum · 12/02/2015 00:40

Unless you are looking at weekly boarding I would suggest two or three weeks away as this is the normal length of time you are physically away from your parents. I would think that if your DC are happy to be away for two weeks they will be fine with three.

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