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Original poster

A thread for boarding school parents 2020

282 replies

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 31/07/2020 11:45

Have we got such a thread?
I did look but couldn’t see one.
If we haven’t wouldn’t anyone like to join me in this thread to support each other during these strange times. Getting a child off to boarding school is hard enough anyway for so many reasons but it’s decidedly more difficult at this time.
How are you all doing?

OP posts:
Londonmummy66 · 26/02/2021 19:34

DD2 went back after half term as she was struggling with online learning and school thought it was in her best interests to be physically present (and DH is a key worker) - they have about 150/800 pupils in so she is attending lessons but the houses are bubbled into year groups so she is in a house with just 7 other YR12 girls (and loving the peace and quiet). She turned up at sports hall in her year group slot, had a test and when the result was though in 20 mins she was allowed to go to her boarding house. DH had to wait in the carpark until it was confirmed she was negative as a positive test would have meant she had to go straight back home. She then had to isolate in her room for 4 days until had a second positive test on Wednesday.

DC1 is back on 7th - all UK boarders have to book a 15 minute slot for a test and, again, report to hall for it. DH will have to wait until result is through and if negative can then drive to boarding house to unpack. Day pupils have to go in this week in year group slots to have the test so that they can return on 8th.

SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun · 26/02/2021 20:12

Ours have to go back on the Monday for staggered testing. The school say they have been advised they can’t have them back before the 8th but it doesn’t seem to be true everywhere.

Sparticle · 26/02/2021 22:56

@SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun

Ours have to go back on the Monday for staggered testing. The school say they have been advised they can’t have them back before the 8th but it doesn’t seem to be true everywhere.
No I’ve definitely seen that both international and UK boarding pupils are allowed back before the 8th for testing. I saw it confirmed on the BSA Twitter account (DS’s school changed the return timetable today because of I as far as I remember).
A thread for boarding school parents 2020
SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun · 28/02/2021 19:04

Both schools are doing the same now and quoting government advice despite what the boarding school association says. So two schools (stupidly far apart - our fault) wanting both our children there in the middle of the day on Monday 8th. I think we both need a short notice day off work.

Polly99 · 01/03/2021 11:04

Ours is testing day pupils in advance, and all the boarders on the 7th.
Mind you, the covid arrangements make the whole thing sound rather miserable so we are contemplating keeping DD at home for the rest of term. I'd rather not but most of her friends are international boarders so not returning yet, or day students who she won't be allowed to go near. I hope things are more normal come summer as covid has really impacted her settling in.

sprongle1 · 02/03/2021 17:11

@Polly99As far as I am aware, our boarders are mixing with day pupils from the 8th but the few who are in have been kept separate thus far.

Londonmummy66 · 07/03/2021 15:47

Just thought I'd come on here and offer a virtual hug to anyone who has waved off DC today - the house seems very quiet. She was so delighted to be going back and I am so happy for her but I still can't wait for Easter.

Devlesko · 07/03/2021 16:07

Hi, yes, it will be strange mine not being around.
I'm glad though and she was so excited.
Went off with her NHS message of clear test. Only one parent could go, min baggage allowed, and parent couldn't get out of the car.
Mine is 17 so not bothered about huge cuddles in the playground.
Will yours not have an exeat/ free weekend before Easter.

Devlesko · 07/03/2021 16:09

Ha Ha, also, meanwhile.
I've done 4 loads of washing, emptied all the bins, tidied throughout, ready for cleaning tomorrow.
Then hopefully all set for business. Grin

sprongle1 · 07/03/2021 16:26

I've done lots of packing, name tags and washing.
Off tomorrow morning. Back on Friday though :)

Londonmummy66 · 07/03/2021 17:11

No Exeat so won't be home until Easter - is Yr13 so the hug had to be inside before she got in the car (DH taking her).

She has phoned to say that she is in her boarding house but they've moved the rooms around so she is now running around trying to find the stuff that hasn't been moved from old room to new room.

There was a lot of squealing in the background when she phoned as her friends returned to house (one every 5 minutes apparently). So pleased for them especially as a lot of them only got to board for 6th form so with last year and this will have missed so much of the experience they'd hoped for.

nevereverfinished · 09/03/2021 16:29

Hello - just wondering if anyone had any update/thoughts on measures this term? We're having a nightmare with a new Y9 who is utterly miserable confined in a tiny bubble of 12 since half term in October (even for meals/lessons has to stay with those people) and so many bubbles in the school (which had lots of cases and sending home) that logistics are essentially meaning that all school activities are taking place virtually from dorms. Quite close to pulling her out as she says it's just like virtual school but miserable as kids just sit on beds with phones. Would love to know if we're having an unusual experience? Thanks for any help.

Devlesko · 09/03/2021 17:49

I can't help I'm afraid as ours not a normal boarding school, the boarding is a second iykwim.
Mine is A levels so very small groups, there's about 10 in music as all have different teachers, and about 6 in Art, so no problems.
She is a bubble with half a dozen other girls from the girls house. They are treated as a household so can be together whenever they want, and they have little parties.

leftandaright · 09/03/2021 18:20

@nevereverfinished

Hello - just wondering if anyone had any update/thoughts on measures this term? We're having a nightmare with a new Y9 who is utterly miserable confined in a tiny bubble of 12 since half term in October (even for meals/lessons has to stay with those people) and so many bubbles in the school (which had lots of cases and sending home) that logistics are essentially meaning that all school activities are taking place virtually from dorms. Quite close to pulling her out as she says it's just like virtual school but miserable as kids just sit on beds with phones. Would love to know if we're having an unusual experience? Thanks for any help.
My dc in boarding house bubble with one year group plus two others in same bubble. No social distancing I think within house. Lessons are SD plus masks etc and then sport with whole year group ...
nevereverfinished · 14/03/2021 08:11

thanks leftandaright - are there any other activities for your dc such as choir/drama i.e. anything that can take place indoors? I've heard of a number of other schools having a year group bubble so that these things can still happen within their own age group

leftandaright · 14/03/2021 08:55

@nevereverfinished

thanks leftandaright - are there any other activities for your dc such as choir/drama i.e. anything that can take place indoors? I've heard of a number of other schools having a year group bubble so that these things can still happen within their own age group
Um choir and drama talent somewhat passed my dc by so can’t help. Lessons are as per last term so distanced and masks. Dc are doing ALOT of outdoor sporty activities and also evening socials with other houses but same year group - all with masks off.
sprongle1 · 14/03/2021 20:04

@nevereverfinished

Hello - just wondering if anyone had any update/thoughts on measures this term? We're having a nightmare with a new Y9 who is utterly miserable confined in a tiny bubble of 12 since half term in October (even for meals/lessons has to stay with those people) and so many bubbles in the school (which had lots of cases and sending home) that logistics are essentially meaning that all school activities are taking place virtually from dorms. Quite close to pulling her out as she says it's just like virtual school but miserable as kids just sit on beds with phones. Would love to know if we're having an unusual experience? Thanks for any help.
Ours is a small school but boarders in with their normal classes - masks in lessons and in boarding house but lunchtime and after school activities happening in Key stage bubbles, which are still under 60 children, I think. Boarders allowed to mix with other key stages. They have still had no cases there. Lots of sport with masks off.

My gut feeling is that, though cases will rise slightly/stabilise this last two to three weeks of term, that the Easter break will allow them to fall again and there will be less restrictions imposed on the children in the summer term.

Sparticle · 30/04/2021 10:13

Hi all - long time since we've spoken on here!

We moved house a couple of weeks ago so we're only 15-20 minutes from DS's school now but he's going to continue boarding. He is coming home tonight for the exeat weekend and it's the first time he'll have seen the house since we first looked round - he has shown no interest at all in coming home before now to see his new room etc! Hmm

Tomorrow morning I'm taking him for a MUCH needed haircut - he hasn't had one since October and although he adores the long, shaggy look, I'm not putting up with it any longer. He looks a mess in the school boarding tweets Grin

Anyway I hope you're all well?

babeinthewoods · 10/05/2021 23:51

What's the consensus with being able to watch school fixtures post May 17th? I'm not sure what the official rules are then, abs have heard nothing from school yet.

Ollinica · 11/05/2021 02:18

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted

leftandaright · 11/05/2021 08:04

@babeinthewoods

What's the consensus with being able to watch school fixtures post May 17th? I'm not sure what the official rules are then, abs have heard nothing from school yet.
We were told last week by HM that it should be 17th May onwards if Boris announced as expected yesterday - which he did. So hopefully from Monday onwards. Hooray! Let the days of driving for three hours in order to watch dc be bowled out first ball commence Grin
babeinthewoods · 11/05/2021 10:32

That's great news, fingers crossed for Monday!! Hope he gets a few runs Grin

MrPickles73 · 13/05/2021 12:56

Oh that would be good news :-)

Londonmummy66 · 13/05/2021 23:27

Hello everyone - hope all is going well. I am trying to negotiate my way around the end of term festivities. We have a leavers ball the day after term ends and have been told that U6 boarding house will not be open the night before or the night of the ball which is a bit odd. Also that all U6 attending leavers ball need a parent chaperone - so it seems like a ball for day pupils only which is a bit unfair....

Other than that all going well!!!

ARBL · 21/05/2021 05:26

ARBL

Looking to send my 11 year Child to either Wellington Academy or Duke of York Royal Military School. Any pointers and advise? Which is better?