Would you send your child to boarding school with all this COVID stuff going on?

[Neim]

Hi all,

We received an offer yesterday for a boarding place at a school DS really wants to go to. We chose it because of that, he had a sense of comfortableness and happiness from the school he didn’t get from others, and we chose it because of the atmosphere of the school and boarding house and the pastoral care. Plus it suits the family circumstances. So lots of big pluses for the school. But I’m a bit unsure about it now with all the COVID disruption. I can’t see the point in paying for a boarding place when the kids spend half their time learning from home these days. I know things will change but the uncertainty of how quickly and what might happen next year is really making me unsure as to whether this is the best thing to do.

We have applied for local schools as well so this isn’t the only school we will be offered, it’s just a case of which local one we get given.

We have 14 days from the date on the letter to decide whether to accept the place or not, which, annoyingly (or luckily?) is the 1st March. So there is the option of waiting until then and either accepting or declining on the 1st March when we see which local school we get offered? We haven’t even discussed this with DS yet - whether that’s the right or wrong thing to do I don’t know.

Just really confused at the minute. Really looking from hearing from others who are in this position and what decisions you are making. And from hearing from anyone who already had DC in boarding schools throughout all of this and the good/bad impact of it all. Would you do anything differently or make a different decision?

I have a ds at boarding school quite far from home (he flies to school normally). He’s in his third year. If I’m honest, I am glad he was well in to his stride when the pandemic hit. The school’s remote teaching has been excellent and he has done very well. It has actually been very nice having him around more. There is no equivalent to his school nearer to us and it is just the right school for him. He is a very happy boarder and is quite keen to be back with his friends.
My dd is due to start boarding in September and she has already been offered music scholarships to two great schools. She prefers a third! We will need to decline the first two before we know whether she will get a place at the third. So, that’s annoying! I feel a little sad thinking of her joining if there are still restrictions in place. But, I am positive overall that things will come right and the schools are making considerable efforts to support children, so we will still go ahead as planned.

Also, if you have until 1st March to make your decision, take as much time as you need until then.

@SomethingInTheWaySheCooks

Wow! Flying to school that’s a new one for me aha.

Thank you for your insight. It’s nice to hear. And it’s good to hear the online teachings been brilliant. I suppose that’s a big positive, I here a lot of schools which have done poorly in that area and some are on our local school application. If we’re going to have a mixture of online teaching and in school teaching going forward then I suppose the quality of online is something that needs considered. I might investigate and ask a few questions our chosen schools online teaching. Thanks for bringing that up I hadn’t thought about that In as much detail as I should have.

Your point about it being the “right school for him” was good to hear, that’s the very reason we chose our school and I don’t want to do the wrong thing because I’m confused about the whole situation.
I think taking the time over the decision is good advice, thanks for that.

Do you worry about the fact you are paying boarding fees and not getting the boarding? Or does the quality of the online teaching and the fact that it’s the right school with the right support make up for that?

If also worries me about starting boarding school in the middle of all this mess that’s happening. Do you see it being a very different experience/some activities and experiences not being there which would have been previously which will have a negative effect, or do you think the DC won’t notice because it will all be new and normal to the them?

Also, good luck for your DD. Fingers crossed for the school she wants

If we’re going to have a mixture of online teaching and in school teaching going forward

I don't think this is the case. Very much hope I'm not wrong of course, but I'm expecting Autumn term to be a bit overshadowed at the start by the need for SD etc, but no school closures. Hopefully by Jan 22 latest, we'll be looking at normality. I'm actually pining to go in for all the Christmas stuff at school, carol services etc, so hopefully before that! So yes, in your shoes I would be letting him go. My DS1 is moving to a new school in Sept and I wouldn't be doing that if I thought on/off 'in-person' school would be an ongoing thing.

In terms of fees, some schools will offer some rebate on the boarding side of things, but I do believe they schools have almost all their usual expenses and then some new ones! So, I wouldn’t expect this.

Yes. When schools were sending children home to self isolate or even year groups last term, many, many boarding schools were able to remain open and offer a very enriching experience. Including drama, music, choirs and extensive sport. What was missing were some of the social events between the year groups, live outside speakers (not via Zoom / Teams), matches against other schools, and trips.

I’ve had 2 DC in boarding school throughout. Neither of them would have it any other way and I don’t think I would make a different decision. Things in boarding schools have changed a bit but that’s doesn’t make the experience any better or worse. Just different. More emphasis on online learning and no trips to places but the boarding houses have found activities for them to do for the ones that’s have had to be in school (army children/children of key workers).
Your DS won’t notice the difference if they have never been to boarding school before. And next year things could be back to normal. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on who has the better online learning but look into it if you want to.

Depending on your circumstances your DS might still be able to go to school if your in the key worker category’s or if there’s social, emotional and educational needs (by this I mean SEND not general education) why your DS needs to be in school.

I can’t see them being or of school next year (but I’m ever the optimist) I don’t think you would be wasting your money. You can always see it as a supplement for all the IT and online support the school has invested in so they can educate your DS.

If this “THE SCHOOL” I would give it a go. This is what you and your DS want so go for it. I don’t see any harm in trying it and if it’s not what you want when you get there then look to go local. See what your options are for moving later on if it doesn’t work out. But if this is the one you have all been waiting for I wouldn’t turn down this opportunity.

Definitely take the time to make the decision and see what local school you get offered. I would also discuss this with your DS, not all your money worries, just whether he still wants to go and board or whether he’s changed his mind. At the end of the day, he’s the one that’s got to go there for the next 5-7 years.

Thank you all. There’s some really good points that we need to think about.

@RedOrangeYellowGreenBlueIndigo Yes this is “the school” and you make a brilliant point. Thank you.

I will hold off making a firm decision until the 1st March I think and will discuss with DS what his thoughts and feelings are.