Boarding School Parents: how do you feel about sending DC to school in September?

[boardersmum]

We received an information pack from DS's school, explaining how they are planning to manage social distancing, etc. It sounds sensible, and DS is so looking forward to going back to school as a weekly boarder as before.

We live only 40 mins away, though it could easily be more than an hour in the evening, so we could say that being a boarder is a choice rather than a must. So now I am having second thoughts about sending him away due to all the unsettledness and uncertainty of the current situation.

I didn't think of the option before, but after hearing about some boarding school parents feeling so anxious about sending their DCs back to school as a boarder hence considering to switch to a day pupil, I have started wondering if I was being too naive or pretending to believe everything would be fine when, actually, I should assess the situation more carefully... Changing him to a day pupil wouldn't eliminate a risk obviously, but at least we can bring him back home and monitor the situation every day rather than every week.

There are a few problems though. First of all, it will be hugely inconvenient to me as I need to be his daily taxi driver, though I can cope. Secondly, once you become a day pupil it'll be very hard to be back to a boarder due to the limitation of bedrooms. DS is worrying about losing his space... And lastly, DS really really likes to stay as a weekly boarder. He likes having his own private space (his bedroom) at school, and also hates the daily long car journeys.

I understand there is no option for those who live too far away to consider a day pupil, but if it's allowed, would you consider? Do you feel anxious about sending your DC to school and only see them weekly or every few weeks? Or am I overthinking?

Your son will invariably be mixing with day pupils anyway though (assuming your school is going down a year group bubbles route) so there is no real difference if he remains a boarder or moved to day?

If he has his own room there then there’s even less risk surely? At our school we have a maximum of four children in a dorm (all same year group). Like you say, you are only 40 mins away so any COVID19 issues then you’ll be asked to go and get him anyway.

Has there been any government guidance for boarding schools? My son is going back in September too so I understand your concerns.

The BSA has issued full guidance. This has been put together on the basis of the government advice but at our school they have gone above and beyond.

I would pay the boarding fees to keep his bed, and drive him in until the October half term. In that time you will see how the school is run, how safe it appears to be and more importantly how many cases, if any crops up. You live close enough to easily drive each day - check to see if there is a bus that runs from your area.

I don't think there is any more risk to students boarding than the day children, perhaps less because they will be in bubbles and will not be in constant contact with the outside world.

It is more complicated for overseas students.