Hi all,
Noted the above discussion on boarding schools with interest...not least because I went to one (13-18), and have taught in a total of three over my 12 year teaching career. This is not meant as a sales pitch for boarding, but a few of the earlier comments mirror the sort of stereotypical statements which really get my blood boiling...
So here goes;
1. Lesli is correct in that going at 6/7 is completely different to 12/13. But most at early ages just stay for one night every now and again, or go home every weekend (i.e. far more flexible). By 13/14, many (NOT ALL!!) children are ready to spread their wings and be given more independence. Thus going to a boarding school can benefit both children and parents.
2. Very few children nowadays 'get sent' to boarding school-most of them are actively involved in the choice of one. 'Abandoning'...
3. Boarding schools today are VERY different places to those in 1960s/1970s. I will fully accept that there was some shocking practice 25+ years ago, but this is a completely outdated perception. They are much happier places-any which did not change, would have gone out of business years ago.
4. Most childen go to a boarding school within 1-2 hours driving from home-which means that they usually see their parents over other weekend or so. The old 'here you are, see you when you're 18' is completely out of date.
Parents are not abdigating their parental responsibilities at all-boarding schools are very expensive places, and most families require two incomes (and fewer holidays, cars etc) to be able to afford them.
ALthough many people undoubtedly hated boarding schools in the past (and some will still do now!), from my experience, they are far fewer.
As well as providing all sorts of activities which you just don't get at day schools, they develop self-confidence, self-responsibility and teach children how to live within a community and consider each other. If only all children were like that...
If a growing slice of the country wishes to use boarding schools, they must be doing something right!
PS How did a thread on $55,000 get onto this topic??