Boarding school - is it normal?

[happylilac]

DS has just started boarding school. He enjoyed the trial and loved every minute of it. I was particularly worried about food but it sounded nutritious, yummy and frequent enough. DS was very happy and didn't feel hungry at all during the stay.

Now two months have passed, he tells me different stories. He says the cafe opens as frequent as before (5 times a day), but not much food/choice for snacking, and meals aren't filling neither. The dinner is at 6.30 pm and light off is 9.30 pm. He feels hungry through a day and absolutely starving by the time he goes to bed. They serve brunch on Sundays and because brunch means late breakfast/early lunch, pupils are allowed to eat only once, then no food until afternoon tea (again not much food/choice). DS also says he often feels cold during night.

Luckily DS is a weekly boarder so he doesn't starve at weekend. I pack a lot of food and snacks but choice is limited as they have to be something that can last without fridge. I've already asked school if he could have an extra duvet or could bring a blanket from home and am waiting for their reply.

Apparently older DCs told DS that the school doesn't have enough money to cater plenty food. But its higher end of fees compared with other boarding schools doesn't back up the claim. DS thinks it's because of the ongoing massive refurbishing projects so it'll be a temporary situation... The education they provide is superb. So their higher fees could be more to do with maintaining the quality teaching staff?

Does it sound normal? Any thoughts? Also, any advice on food from home would be greatly appreciated! I pack biscuits, cereal bars, bread sticks, brioches, but I need more varieties...

And dd’s is even tinier (though numbers may seem smaller as Upper School live out rather than board)

I think I recognise the set up at your dd’s school error assuming it’s one of ‘The Four’. dd may have done a couple of summer schools there & several students in her year left st the end of year 9 & came to her school?

@AlexanderHamilton, indeed you do recognise it, we’ve chatted before 😊
Hope your DD is enjoying 6th form?

Yes, @errorofjudgement. That many. DS went from a tiny prep school (14 in his year). I was a bit scared, as he was so used to a small school (and this was right for him when he was little - he's an oddball who had never even been for a sleepover). However, it's so spectacularly good that the size is irrelevant. We are 250 miles away, yet the staff all know who I am when I visit (very occasionally). This in itself is impressive. But more impressive is that DS (who has never been keen on school) can't wait to get back there after the holidays. He even said: "I love being at school". They are doing something very right.

She is - few social issues but that’s her asd and a bit of an injury blip with what we feared might stem from a sprain two years ago but a referral to the fantastic specialist clinic at QE (bit of a trek for us but so worth it) has reassured us it’s just some over compensation from when she was injured which can be sorted with physio.

That’s so lovely to hear BoardingSchoolMater. Your DS has found his tribe!
DDs experience is very different, state comprehensive school through to the end of year 11, then a scholarship offer to a specialist boarding school for 6th form. So from a big school to somewhere much smaller, and a whole new world!
We live 2.5 hours away from DDs school which isn’t ideal, so that reassurance that DD is being well cared for and loves her school is so important.

@AlexanderHamilton, so pleased to hear she’s enjoying it. I think starting 6th form whether BTEC, A levels or a Diploma, there’s always new people and new ways to learn so it takes a bit of time.
DD had a nasty sprain a couple of years ago and that ankle is still weaker. Luckily as her focus is drama it’s not been an issue.
Wishing your DD a speedy recovery, sounds like she’s getting the very best care and support.

Thanks. Glad to hear your Dd is happy too. It’s such a huge decision to send them on this particular path.

Thank you everyone for all the comments. I simply wondered if what we were experiencing was 'normal', meaning 'acceptable', 'expected', 'whether I should be concerned' and 'how much action I should make'. And a lot of my questions were answered and I feel my mind is clearer than before. and and to all who kindly contributed to this thread.

Many many thanks!

@Errorofjudgement I'm so glad your DD is enjoying her school. Whatever school our DC end up at, the main thing is for them to be happy there and to feel that they are well looked after. And this is, of course, all the more important with boarders...