ANY TEACHERS WITH THEIR KIDS IN BOARDING SCHOOLS please? :)

[HeyaAll]

So, me and my DH were discussing the pros and cons of boarding schools - just conversationally really; and he sent me out on a quest of a feedback on the issue from teachers (presumably at normal schools) who made the decision of sending THEIR kids to boarding. (I guess he wants to hear from ''normal'' people within the field on whether and why they made such choice)
What made them choose so? What do they think about the experience? Are they happy with their choice? Why? Any input would be much appreciated. Know someone who is in this position? Please spill all the beans, Thank you Thank you x

@Goslowlysideways I know, I started to think my husband was trying to set me up with his 'This is what we need to know' lol, but it appears there are indeed some Also he said if a teacher would send a kid to a boarding school they would be 'undermining their own teaching abilities' hehe, he truly is a gift that keeps on giving I suppose. Gosh, I so disagree. But need DATA for this guy to believe me I'm right

Why would a teacher sending their child to a boarding school be ‘undermining’ their own abilities any more than sending a child to any school?? Boarding schools teach the same stuff as a day school.
Strange thread...

I know, I disagree with it also. But hey, one has got to ask to know what other people's thoughts are. I guess what he means is that a teacher really CAN do a great job at providing super high standards of edu to their kids - at home. And therefore doesnt need to send them to a boarding school to get that. I on the other hand am arguing, that boarding schools provide the kids with tremendous opportunities, self-discipline, independence and better preparedness for life overall (as they aren't babied by parents and really have to test their own abilities, in a controlled environment though).

So, my question was what do teachers think of this. Would they choose for their kids to board? Why? Why not?

Your husband is misguided. Anyone, from any walk of life, can decide to send their child to boarding school - if they can either afford the fees or get a sufficient bursary award. The point of view of a state school teacher is no more valid or persuasive than that of a postwoman, barrister, social worker, actor, farmer, nurse or librarian.

There are at a rough estimate about a trillion posts on a million threads about boarding school on MN. If you want to get an idea of how parents feel about their decision I suggest you browse through some of the most recent. (Ignoring the apoplectic 'haters'.)

Then visit some schools, with your child, and make up your own mind.

But you wouldn’t necessarily get super high education standards at a boarding school anyway. They are just another type of school.
Also, you may have a teacher who is an amazing KS1 teacher- doesn’t mean they could teach A Level physics.
Not sure why I keep getting drawn in on this bonkers thread😀

Wow. Feels like its getting a bit dark over here. ... Anyways.
@PerditaProvokesEnmity I get what you are saying. I guess he's coming from a perspective of where his mum was super involved in his education and considered it her number one priority. Also, being a teacher, she didn't necessarily trust her colleagues to push him enough academically - and so she worked with him lots on top of school. Now, neither him nor I would send our kids to boarding, regardless of the cost, unless we were convinced it had major positive impact. I get the feeling it does. But he wants to hear it from someone who knows more than me. Which is a fair point, I mean Im not a boarder nor do I know any. But this thread was great hearing from people who did deal with exactly that scenario. So no need to put it down.

You'd be surprised OP, they'll do anything for a story. Apologies if you aren't a reporter.

Mine goes, she loves it and is thriving. The gov pay approx £32K for her to attend and we pay approx £2k. We are a low income family under £20k including benefits.
I was a teacher but retired (not age) to provide a bespoke home education throughout juniors.
My teaching qualification bore no relationship to facilitating H.ed, as it's a completely different philosophy to classroom teaching.
She will still struggle to gain good GCSE results as she has sn and isn't very academic.
Saying this she is highly gifted, hence the gov paying the fees.
She is surrounded by people from all walks of life from children of Russian Oligarchs, to sink estate.
She talks quite posh, and I think it will provide social mobility just from naming the school she attended.
Her higher education is already sorted before she begins A levels, and has her choice of any college in her field.

Now, neither him nor I would send our kids to boarding, regardless of the cost, unless we were convinced it had major positive impact. I get the feeling it does. But he wants to hear it from someone who knows more than me.

No, this is nonsensical. As regards your own child no one knows better than the two of you. And you have to consider specific schools. 'Boarding school' isn't an amorphous idea that you just sign up to in general. There has to be a reason why you want your particular child to attend this or that particular school.

You seem to have a vague conception that all boarding schools will provide exactly the same thing - and as I think previous posters have suggested, they don't. You have to consider first the academic standing of each school. Then what it offers as regards boarding if that's what you're looking for. Then the ethos of that school - and you have to like all of those elements. Then you have to apply. (You may be in luck there, though, as current circumstances will inevitably deplete the number of pupils attending.)

Honestly - start by thinking about what your child needs. Identify schools that might meet those needs. Visit. Then come here and discuss them. Your hypothetical musings on teacher-parents teaching their own children are a wee bit pointless. Any interested parent will do their best to help their child.

@Devlesko Thank you for your reply, and don't worry about it. I don't usually chat to people online, so didn't even know this 'journalist sneak attacks' were a thing. Its very annoying if so!
Sounds like your little one is doing great! And well done to you, on doing all the junior yourself! And I definitely agree on the social mobility aspect of it all. How did you find it, sending her away then? What made you make the decision? With all the possible threats out there, (drugs, bullying, etc.) even in the best of schools, and especially as someone who saw it first hand.

This is a very strange thread. OP - very few teachers can afford boarding fees. Many get a discount at the school they teach in, so lots of staff kids attend as day pupils, but they can travel to and from with their parents - and teachers salary wouldn’t stretch to boarding fees even with discount.

@PerditaProvokesEnmity
Thanks for your reply. I do have to admit, I respectfully disagree with what you said. There is the undeniable differentiating element to every boarding school- which is the BOARDING. Allowing your child to live elsewhere. To be fully encapsulated by someone else's design of mindframe - also encompassing EDUCATION. We are not looking at boarding schools atm, our kids are way to young for that, but we do like to discuss possibilities. And Boarding school is just one of them. Homeschooling could be other. Boarding school in general has its own advantages and disatvantages - regardless of which one, tbf. Same as home school does.
Its ok if you think its pointless, not everyone will understand the implications / and thought process behind a teacher choosing to board-school their kids. But do allow me to remain curious please. Thanks.

@Sittinonthefloor apparently not so much. Which I am grateful for, as I am genuinely just curious about it. I've had a few people from those precise circumstances. Read it for yourself

I’m a teacher and both my dc board because they attend vocational schools, and therefore couldn’t have accessed the training they needed at home.

@paquitavariation wow! Well thats a one way to only have one choice! How old are they? (If I may ask?) How did you find the transition? Did it change your relationship? Some people said boarding, in fact, made their relationship better as a result.

Booba?

@BoardingSchoolMater Hi! Booba, what?

Yeah the booba thing and all the smilies is making me a bit nauseous.

I'm going for journalist taking on the persona of one of those blogging mummies.

They both went at 11. One found the transition tricky and the other was like a duck to water. However both of them love their school experience and the fact that it was what they chose and worked hard for made a massive difference. We all have good, positive and peaceful relationships, and completely appreciate the quality time we have together without having to worry about homework, extra curricular activities, meeting friends etc because they do all that at school.

I was asking what that message means! you guys really have issues with this constant paranoia. If I was a bloody reporter I would just say so! Calm yourselves down. If you read the whole thread maybe you'll be more informed. Really annoyed by this now pfft

@saraclara no, you're flipping attitude to another person just because she uses smileys is making me nauseous. If you have nothing to say, jog along. This is getting really annoying now.

@PaquitaVariation Thank you! This is kind of what I envisage as well! But I do appreciate you saying. But how did YOU find it? For them to go?

Mine is a vocational school too. I think there's a few of us on here
Your drug question.
Every year there are a couple who are either expelled or suspended for drugs or drinking under age.
But, I think that kids will either try these things or not, whichever school they go to.
Out of 3 dc one of them smokes and has taken drugs, the other two are grown ups now, that's how I know. It was the middle one and he went to a lovely CofE school, ds1 went to a sink estate school and was surrounded by drugs and knife crime, luckily he chose the right path.

How did I feel about her going away? I cried solidly from Sept until xmas holiday, dh was really worried about me, I made myself so ill.
She went straight from H.ed to boarding , so it was a worry, but she fit straight in, no homesickness at all.
It was totally lead by her, she visited on an open day and in a loud voice said mum/dad get your cheque book out I'm coming here.
Apart from the embarrassment, I had no idea if we could afford it, if she'd pass the auditions or any other practicalities. She made up her mind and when she was offered a place, looked at me and said if I stood in her way she'd never forgive me.
So, I had to let her go.

As a teacher married to a high earner I could send my children but I won't. I'm not to fond of private education and would never teach in a private school.

How old are your children, @HeyaAll ?

Leaving aside your initial and very specific question about teachers, all parents who can afford the luxury of choice would tend to choose the school that they think will be the best 'fit' for their child. No other factors came into it when XH and I chose our children's schools.