Benefits of Boarding School

The Benefits of Boarding School

Opportunities, opportunities, opportunities! There comes a time when it can be hugely beneficial for many children to be exposed to a broader range of opportunities. Whether it’s because they want to be able to do a minority subject like Greek or History of Art, or they are a talented swimmer and need to be able to train and compete at a high level, or because they need to have a couple of years’ preparation for university life—a boarding school education can be life-changing. With hundreds of boarding schools to choose from, many of which have been around for hundreds of years, the certainty of finding the perfect school is very high.

Whilst the classroom is paramount in all schools – and many Cayman parents seek the extra ‘stretch’ that this can provide—the 'extras' are what really make a boarding school experience count. At the heart of every boarding school is the philosophy to ensure that each child is happy, thrives and succeeds, whatever their interests and talents.

Whether it relates to academics, sporting achievements, or your performance in a concert hall, you can be certain that all boarding schools seek to help all pupils achieve their full potential. The structured environment and extended school days are designed to offer pupils a wealth of valuable life experience, in turn enabling them to gain independence and be well-prepared for life beyond school.

There is no doubt that boarding will not suit every child or family, but for the right child, in the right school, it can offer an enriching life experience, preparing them for life beyond school. Learning to live with others with respect and tolerance, and having the ability to resolve conflict when it occurs, are key skills that pupils will need when they enter the working world and experience the challenges of the twenty-first century. Often, the achievements, friendships and interests cultivated at boarding school last a lifetime.

The following are all key factors to consider when deciding if boarding school is right for you and your child.

1. First Rate Education

The reputation of leading schools in the UK, Ireland, the US and Canada is not just a label of prestige from the past; the academic, sporting and social success of these schools is evident. Academic excellence, their successes in international exams and their students winning places at Ivy League and Russell Group universities speak for themselves. The structured independence, which comes with boundaries, also helps teenagers to thrive. Small class sizes and round-the-clock access to teachers definitely makes a difference. This applies to those children who are academic high-flyers as well as those who need greater learning support.

2. All-Round Education

Boarding schools are concerned with much more than academic prowess; pupils achieving their potential in the classroom is key, but the ability to be involved in whichever sporting, creative or intellectual pursuit that stimulates a child is of huge importance too. Boarding schools have world-class facilities to ensure that these talents are nurtured to an extremely high standard. All these things are on the student’s doorstep; schools are extremely busy places where children are seldom bored or lonely.

3. Support

Success is achieved through sound teaching plus individual care and attention. Staff at boarding schools are with their students for most of the day and are there to ensure that children are happy and performing well, addressing problems swiftly. Boarding schools are well-equipped and qualified to support most learning requirements. Plus, a wide range of schools offer specialist additional support for learning and emotional needs. Pastoral care is paramount and, in the UK, this is actually enshrined in legislation and good practice (National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools).

4. Facilities

Boarding schools have some outstanding facilities and offer beautiful spaces in which students can grow and develop. Academic, arts and sporting facilities can be state-of-the-art, and boarding houses are designed to offer the comforts of a home away from home. The options for excellence in sports is also a big draw: children who excel in a particular sport will find not only the extensive sports fields are lovely to play on, but the option to play against other schools, either at home or away, challenges them to 'up their game'.

5. Friends

A boarding education exposes children to a wide array of people from a variety of backgrounds—some of whom will become life-long friends. The ability to live and work with such a diverse group of people is what gives boarding school students the confidence, maturity and independence to excel in their future worlds. Exposure to the wider world breeds internationalism which also helps prepare students for the world of university and business.

6. Other Opportunities

In England, for example, many boarding schools offer other activities such as the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the Duke of Edinburgh award. The latter helps young people develop a wide range of essential emotional and social skills, including resilience, confidence, communication, commitment, self-awareness, empathy, teamwork and problem-solving, all of which help them navigate adult life.

How to Choose a Boarding School

Narrowing down which international boarding schools to visit is a monumental task. Here are some tips from parents who have gone through the process:

• For families who live full-time in Cayman, choosing a full boarding school, as opposed to a weekly boarding school, is the very first thing to consider. Many schools are moving towards weekly boarding, so be sure to check this out. Why is this important? A school that does not have many students left in the school at the weekend does not put on many activities for the ones that are, and you don't want a bored teenager at school alone with no friends around and time on their hands.
• Schools are often strong on one specific team sport—for example, soccer/football or rugby, but invariably not both. If your child is massively into one sport but not keen on another, then find a school which plays that sport. Work out what your child is really keen on, then see if you can find a school that can play to that strength and interest.
• Is the school kind? Does it have good pastoral care? Will your child be happy? What support is there in place if your child gets homesick? Childhood should be a happy time, so choose a school which has a reputation for being nice.

If your child needs educational support, check out schools that can help with that. Ask what additional help your child would be offered and whether the school could cater to your child’s needs.

• Bear in mind that schools located within an hour of a major metropolis and an international airport (London, Toronto or New York, for example) will attract a lot of overseas students. Most schools now limit the percentage of children hailing from a single nationality.
• Different schools suit different people. Some students love the busyness of city or town life, while others prefer the slower pace and better views that come with studying in the rolling countryside. It is worth compiling a shortlist and going to see at least four or five different schools.

Expect to see one school a day (a typical tour is 3-4 hours long). The visit, which you must book well in advance, usually starts at 10am, so book accommodation near the school for the night before if you can. Ask if your visit will include lunch with the students—if it does, it will give you great insight into the type of students your child will be boarding with.

Other Things to Consider

Location

Deciding where to send your child to school is extremely important, but first you need to decide what system of schooling you want your child to participate in. For example, to attend Sixth Form in the UK, it is often extremely helpful if the student has taken GCSEs or the equivalent. It is also important to consider whether you are looking for a school near family and friends. Although the support systems provided by schools are very good, it is also beneficial to have a support system outside of school so people you trust can keep an eye on your child.

Understanding Your Child’s Needs

It is vital to find the school in which your child will be happy and will thrive. Friends and acquaintances may offer school suggestions based on their own children’s success (or otherwise!). But a school being right for their children is no guarantee that it will be right for yours. Choose a school based on your child’s specific interests and needs, even if this is wildly different to that chosen by others. Make sure that the school offers the qualifications (International Baccalaureate; GCSE; A Level; SAT; vocational courses) best suited to your child and their intended higher education and career path.

Recommended Boarding Schools

Here are a few overseas boarding schools that are popular with Cayman families: