EDUCATION EDITION
near 24/7 approach: open every weekend and, in the case of Abbey College, during half-term and Easter too. While pupils are welcome to stay elsewhere, many stay put. For younger pupils, the priorities can be slightly different, with parents looking for greater supervision. For example, after- school timetabled homework sessions, or a mobile phone policy that enables pupils to phone home whenever they require. A school with à la carte boarding options – starting with just a couple of nights a week and then moving to weekly or full boarding – can be hugely appealing. “Some of our parents who are stationed or living abroad will go for the full-termly
option,” says Kimbolton’s Dr Daniel Koch. “Many choose the weekly option, meaning the children board Monday to Friday. We also have a flexi-boarding structure, where children can board on Monday and Tuesday evenings, often because that’s when parents are working late, and then stay home on other evenings of the week.” Transition tactics Schools put a great deal of effort into welcoming new boarders, ensuring that by the time their first term starts, they already feel like part of the school. For instance, new pupils at Gresham’s visit for a morning in the summer term before they start with their parents. Team-building games, a tour of the boarding house and meeting senior pupils will give them a sense of belonging. “Anyone would be concerned about how their child copes with that adjustment,” says Chris Cox, head of boarding. “The fact they have been here, met the matron, myself and a couple of pupils from their house will hopefully allay some of those fears.” Gresham’s sixth formers also write to all the new pupils at the end of the summer term to introduce themselves and offer tips about coping when they first start. Stephen Perse’s three-day induction for new boarders focuses on familiarising them with the school, Cambridge and each other. “Induction gives all those opportunities to settle in – we’ve never had any homesick children,” says Denise Hammersley. “They are new to the school, but going with the friends they have already made in boarding helps them enormously.” Some practical preparation is strongly recommended too. “Make sure the children organise themselves for the next day so
total privacy if they want,” says Dr Ellen Hesse, principal at Abbey College. “We have some neurodivergent pupils who need their own rooms to have peace and quiet to get organised.” It’s also a boon for sixth formers – many newly arrived from other countries. “They have to get used to speaking English and a totally different learning style, which is exhausting for them. Having a single room makes the transition a bit easier,” she adds. Flexible boarding Full boarding is more popular in the top school years and the obvious choice for international pupils. Some schools take a
Full boarding is more popular in the top school years , and the obvious choice for international pupils
DORM DAYS Bishop’s Stortford College (left) allows students to decorate rooms; Gresham’s (below) makes new boarders feel welcome
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