BOARDING SCHOOLS
sports, music or drama competitions. A house mythology often develops (houses might garner a reputation as sporty or arty, for example). But it’s also about that day-in, day-out requirement to learn how to live with and tolerate others that fosters a real sense of community. In adult life, it’s a given that you won’t get on with everyone you have to spend time with – colleagues included – so making relationships work is crucial. Boarders learn those skills early. Helping things along are trained staff, from houseparents (who usually live on site) to tutors, each responsible for getting to know a small group of pupils well and helping them succeed both academically and emotionally. Getting on with a range of characters and understanding how they tick – even when there’s no obvious common ground – is a vital part of becoming a successful, functioning adult. In a society where so many of our interactions are online, the experience of bonding through boarding has the potential to make a world of difference to future success.
37 CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE
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