BOARDING
hen it comes to the way boarding schools are perceived, the legacy of Harry Potter and Hogwarts has a lot to answer for. Sorting hats, haunted staircases, owl-delivered post and amazing banquets make the whole idea of staying at school not just appealing but enviable. Enid Blyton’s enduringly popular Malory Towers and St Clare’s series of books, with traditional depictions of midnight feasts and dorm rivalries haven’t done a bad job either. While ghosts and birds of prey are notable for their absence, the way that boarding at school is organised has changed substantially over recent years. Gone are large dorms with rows of metal beds and draft-friendly windows. Today, it’s rare to find more than a handful of pupils occupying one room, and at the top end of the school, senior pupils will very often have their own or share with just one other student. The way boarding accommodation looks varies substantially by school and heritage – with huge variation depending on the vintage and character of the building. Some boarding houses are historic, with high ceilings and wooden panelling. Others are purpose built – some even offering refinements like Welcome aboard As with all aspects of schooling, boarding is moving with the times. Options abound, with flexibility to suit your family’s preferences
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 35
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