Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Thread For Boarders

826 replies

morethanpotatoprints · 01/06/2015 11:33

Just thought I'd start a support thread for those either starting this september or established boarders happy to help those with many queries.

There are quite often individual threads for particular schools but it doesn't necessarily say whether boarding, day, private or state in the title. So I thought this would be a good way of getting us all together and also for those people from overseas looking for particular types of schools.

My dd is starting in sept and will weekly board, atm I am gathering uniform and other essential items and will begin the labelling process soon.
I do quite like this as sad as it seems, I find hand sewing very therapeutic and relaxing for some reason. Grin

OP posts:
abear · 03/06/2015 11:12

Lots of great advice, thank you summer and hg and everyone else. I was really wondering the best place to buy suits. Ties is going to be another tricky one, not sure how we'll choose those but have the Wincoll uniform list printed off so almost time to get shopping.

Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 03/06/2015 11:22

Thanks hg

I didn't realise it was so highly academic. I knew there were entrance exams but didn't realise how selective they were.
I presumed it was more or less on being able to afford the fees, and the entrance exam was at a basic level.
As opposed to our school, passing 2 auditions, no academic exam and not having the ability to pay.
Oh, it's madness isn't it when you consider the with and depth of the varying types of school.
I can see why those not familiar with the UK system would be totally lost.

Ah, just having a weep here, my dd is playing Meditation from "Thais" on her saxophone, it's beautiful.
I love that your schools seem to offer bursaries for music, it is so important to encourage their potential even though I know your boys must be very clever.

OP posts:
happygardening · 03/06/2015 11:42

Abear in the first yr DS wore a dark jacket and dark grey trousers "up to books" and a suit for chapel etc, from the second year he only wore suits. I'm not organised but I am reliably informed the school second hand uniform shop is very well stock with cast off suits/shirts/jackets/home clothes, I've sent at least four suits with nothing wrong with them apart from being too small in that direction.
Do not buy too much sports kit especially if your DS doesn't do team sports I think we purchased 3 "zephyrs" (rugby shirts) in the first year all sent to the second hand shop at the end of the yr, 2 unworn. There is a school track suit but to quote "only first years wear it" many of the individual sports have their own kit provided by the individual clubs you can't buy it from the shop you but the main sports kit from (can't remember what's it's called).

ZeroFunDame · 03/06/2015 11:49

I presumed it was more or less on being able to afford the fees, and the entrance exam was at a basic level.

Hah!

ZeroFunDame · 03/06/2015 11:57

Sorry OP - I've self diagnosed PTSD covering the whole of yr 8.

Brilliantly, Scholarship and 13+ CE happen at exactly the point when any reasonably sparky teen decides that no adult could possibly have anything useful to say to them.

Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 03/06/2015 12:07

Zero

This is all new to me and don't mind admitting I'm completely out of my depth.
I am learning so much though, even though a lot of it doesn't apply to us it is so interesting.
Winchester and Oxford look beautiful too, it must be lovely for them to be able to go out in these areas.

OP posts:
happygardening · 03/06/2015 12:14

I think after a while some the boys find Winchester a bit too wealthy upper middle class they yearn for something more edgy and "normal".

ZeroFunDame · 03/06/2015 12:15

OP If your DD is going where I think she is (can't remember if you've said on any thread) I am full of curiosity and awe.

happygardening · 03/06/2015 12:21

morethan when the chips are down only a small % of the countries boarding schools can really afford to be very selective, usually, the ones with top results, most struggle to put bums on seats what ever their websites say especially the full boarding schools hence the enormous increase in children from outside of the UK.

derektheladyhamster · 03/06/2015 15:18

The biggest thing (after labeling everything - including phone chargers), is not to take too much stuff, They will not have much room and the more stuff they have, the harder it is to keep tidy. And Matron (I am one) will be happy.

Keep clothes to a minimum, consider an eReader if they read lots, and knic knaks - only if really necessary.

Send letters/post cards, they really like those.

Can I mention labeling again - you would hate to see the amount of unlabeled bedding and clothing I give to charity every year.

KingscoteStaff · 03/06/2015 21:06

Derek, what are your rules about fairy lights in bedrooms? (Though I'm sure it's different everywhere...)

DD starts boarding in September and wants to take some.

Her school's uniform is changing this year which means a) We can't buy any yet and b) there won't be any second hand stuff...

summerends · 03/06/2015 21:16

abear it is almost a problem with Wimchester that because you get a free rein in choice of shirts, ties, jackets, suits etc (as long as they are reasonably sober particularly for Sunday chapel) that a boy can be unsure about what look he wants until he gets there. Don't forget you can always buy some more stuff after the first three weeks so don't feel that you have to buy too much now including lots of ties. Next and M&S do quite small collar size shirts plus ties in one pack which is a good starting point.
As with HG we bought one suit, we also bought one warm jacket from the second hand shop and two pairs of trousers from M&S. I think we bought a second suit at Christmas.
The sports kit is more organised now for the younger boys but be prewarned that for certain sports there is a squad top plus hoodie which is extra. My DS has never notice worn his tracksuit top because of that. Don't buy the striped tops (used for Winkies in springterm) new, it's just not worth it IMO.

summerends · 03/06/2015 21:26

Zero hopefully you will recover in time from PTSD (or PexamTSD) to enjoy your summer with him Smile, if I am guessing right he and you deserve it after the intense learning he's had to do this last year.

springalong · 03/06/2015 21:30

Coming onto this thread as DS has just started boarding, but he is only 9. I will go back and read all the helpful comments.

summerends · 03/06/2015 21:30

abear just realised having read HG's whole post that I am just repeating her info about sports kit Blush. Well at least we are consistent.

1805 · 03/06/2015 22:45

sleepingdog -

Yes, we have the uniform list and social info. Does everyone at R buy suits from Shep and Woodward? Or can you buy M and S suits?
I have not seen or heard any mention of second hand shops there.
We have a date booked in for the pop up shop. I did do a quick tot up of the uniform cost but stopped as I started feeling rather faint!!!!!

ZeroFunDame · 04/06/2015 01:18

Ohhhh - springalong, how is he finding it?

Thanks summer, I'm sure eventually I might start to feel a little excited about September. But not yet.

sleepingdog · 04/06/2015 07:40

1805

We ended up buying all at the pop up shop - just easier and more convenient. There was plenty of room for growth!! Don't hold your breath for a second hand shop and given how hard everything gets worn, I'm not sure you'd want it! Do take a strong constitution to the pop up shop for the "tottering up" at the end - it's very painful. The sewing lady in social will do her best to prolong the life of all the uniform !! Comfy shoes also essential - I've found they don't last long - lots of walking in all weathers.

Good luck. Which social? pm me if you'd prefer.

abear · 04/06/2015 08:18

Thanks summer for the very obvious tip about being able to buy more a few weeks in when DS knows what he will want. That is totally obvious but I hadn't thought of it. Will also be careful with sports kit as both you and happy advise. Other problem at the moment is DS2 aged 8 who had a complete melt down last week about his big brother going away. I'll just need to manage that as we go.

ZeroFunDame · 04/06/2015 09:04

abear I was trying to think of something helpful to say to you re DS2 - and have only now realised that that must be why my younger sib had a whole new hobby/ club/ interest by the time I went home for my first exeat. I thought I would be the one with all the exciting new adventures to recount - but had to wait politely to hear about a weekend camping trip and singing in a choir ... Cunning parents.

All I can say, with hindsight and a fading memory is - Try to keep DS2 involved in all the new school stuff - take him with you for as many trips there as possible, get DS1 to ask his advice, introduce him to staff and let him see where his DB will be living etc. Make it all part of his life and not something separate and exciting happening to someone else. And talk a lot about what you'll all be doing together during leaves and long holidays. I can see that at eight it might seem as if his DB is going away for ever. (And garnering a ridiculous amount of attention for it too.)

Is there a likelihood / possibility that he will go to the same school? Or is there an alternative you are all looking forward to for him?

sleepingdog · 04/06/2015 10:00

Kingscote - I have looked round several girls boarding schools and I don't recall fairy lights in any dorms. All the Ps - pictures of puppies, ponies and pink....! (certainly in the younger girls dorms...then it moves onto One Direction...!) I would check with your specific school.

Abear - when DS1 went to boarding school I remember feeling surprised at the change in family dynamic at home with DS2 and DD. Everyone was affected and it took time to adjust - but everyone does. Agree with the advice above from Zero.

Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 04/06/2015 10:00

Kings

We have received a pack containing everything we'd need to know, very handy Grin
One form we have to take with us next week has to list all the electrical equipment they are taking, which are allowed etc.
it does say that no hanging decorations are allowed due to H&S.
I think they are covering themselves for any accidents due to getting caught up.
I took this to mean lights, bunting etc.

My dd did tell me one girl had a "Harry Potter" picture frame.
I believe it's some sort of digital album. Not sure the people move in the photo's though, although she said she had pictures of all their family.
I'm not sure if this will help your ds2 abear I have no idea where to find them though.

OP posts:
abear · 04/06/2015 12:40

Thank you Zero and Sleepingdog

Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 04/06/2015 12:56

Zero

So sorry, didn't mean to ignore you. I forgot I was the OP for a minute. Grin
I don't mention the schools name much, only because putting all the details in one post could identify her, and I do let my tongue loose on some threads Grin
It's the school with the very old buildings dating back to 1400's, and has a famous library. They specialise in music and their ethos is ability to play/ potential irrespective of family background and ability to pay.
Over 90% of students receive some sort of funding, usually from the DofE Music and dance awards.

OP posts:
ZeroFunDame · 04/06/2015 13:10

Wasn't feeling ignored!

Been there for concerts many a time!

Swipe left for the next trending thread