Harrogate Living Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

Cherry Picking
your Boarding School
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR OPEN DAYS
It is a myth that boarding schools
shut down for July and August, but
it is equally a truth that they become
hives of activity at the beginning of
a new autumn term. Schools will
enthusiastically prepare to welcome
prospective families to their first open
days as they look to take the first
steps towards establishing the life-long
relationships that epitomise their role.
A boarding school can offer a unique
and enriching experience, fostering
independence, academic excellence,
and personal growth. Attending a
boarding school open day is an essential
step in the decision-making process,
giving you the opportunity to immerse
yourself in the school’s environment,
understand its values, and evaluate
whether it’s the right fit for your child’s
individual needs.
Before you step foot through the school
gates, here are the three steps to success
in choosing a boarding school:
1. SPEAK TO STUDENTS
Speak to students during your
visit – they will give you an honest
account of the boarding experience!
Observe how they interact with
you, are they confident and do
they engage in conversation? Do
they speak enthusiastically and
positively about the school? Look
out for staff and pupil interactions
and not just between those who
are on open day ‘duty’. Is there
two-way respect between staff and
students? How do students behave
with and treat one-another?
2. SIZE, FACILITIES, AND
LOCATION
Are you looking for a school
which will offer a vast range of
opportunities and experiences
as part of a huge boarding
community? Or will your child
feel overwhelmed and lost in this
environment? Does the location
of the school suit your family
circumstances?
Notice how the boarding facilities
are presented. Are they well looked
after? Do they feel homely and
welcoming? Draw your attention
to the wall displays - do they
demonstrate inclusivity and
diversity or are they different
versions of the same thing?
How is safeguarding prioritised in
boarding? What security measures
does the school have in place
to ensure student safety? What
are the pupil and staff ratios in
boarding houses and who is on site
overnight?
3. STUDENT WELLBEING
Ask questions about the school’s
commitment to care. What is the
procedure if a boarder feels unwell
during the night? How does the
school manage day-to-day medical
provision? What is their policy with
regards to parent communication?
Learn and ask questions about the
school’s approach to mental health
and wellbeing. Are counselling
services available to boarders and
what measures are in place to
prevent bullying or discrimination?
Do students know who they can
talk to if they have any concerns or
worries?
A boarding school is a hungry
place! Are food options balanced,
varied, and accommodating of
dietary needs? The boarders
themselves will be the first to tell
you if they enjoy the food provided
or whether they order pizza to their
houses three times a week.
The range and diversity of boarding
schools is huge. Thankfully, so is the
information available on the internet, so
do narrow your search down by checking
out websites and speaking to your
current Head. Once you have your list of
schools to visit, enjoy the experience –
open days are normally great fun as well
as being tremendously informative.
The Boarding Schools’ Association
(BSA) is part of the BSA Group. BSA
Group supports excellence in boarding,
safeguarding, inclusion and health
education, serving more than 1,500
organisations and people in 40 countries
worldwide. Since its foundation in 1965-
6, BSA has promoted boarding education
and the development of quality boarding
through high standards of pastoral care
and boarding accommodation.
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