Would you board DC if no private day school locally?

[LemonTea]

My DP and I have been talking a lot about our DC's education recently, but we live in an area with no day private schools. The nearest would be about 50 miles away, so unrealistic for a day commute.

I'd never really considered sending the children to boarding school (and I'm not really sure I would want to anyway), but this would be our only option if we wanted private education for both of them.

I'm getting way ahead of myself (only 3 and 1), but want to know if I should start saving for boarders fees

It would depend on the school really, and they vary hugely.

Although it is obviously a much cheaper option, flexible boarding can be more problematic for the DCs than boarding full-time. This is because they children don't get the same chances to build up a proper community feel.

Likewise weekend boarding - they may well be missing out on the fun at the weekend if they go home. But, some schools are dead at the weekend anyway so they may as well come home.

My DS goes as a day boy to a school where about half the children board. They have lovely grounds and do fantastic activities aat the weekend. He cannot wait to board, but he won't do that until he is 13.

Could you break the week up with a couple of days barding? A lot of schools do that now.

DS2 started as a day pupil at a school 30 miles away, taking the school bus. He ended up weekly boarding cos every time there was something going on after school (matches,music, drama etc) he was staying the night anyway.

Weekly boarding is a good option.Not so sure about breaking the week up, it becomes neither one thing nor the other and you might find on the days they are coming home something is happening after school.