Focus On Education
THE BOARDING OR DAY SCHOOL DEBATE
St Teresas
What would a weekday morning be without the stress of chivvying teenagers out of bed, exhorting them to hurry up or they will miss the bus or train – or make you late for work by dawdling to get into the car for the school run? Paradise – that's what – according to the increasing number of parents choosing weekly and flexi boarding at St Teresa's School in Effingham! No worries about the traffic. Or whether their daughters have remembered their homework, sportsgear or Food Technology ingredients! And, at the other end of the day, parents wax lyrical about the many hours they gain by not having to chauffeur to after-school and evening activities, clubs and social engagements because all those activities – and many, many more – happen in school.
Increasing numbers of young people are enjoying some form of boarding now, especially as crucial GCSE or A level years approach. Boarding these days doesn't mean waving “Goodbye” to your offspring in September and not seeing them again until Christmas! A much more flexible approach in the 21st century means that schools now offer a whole range of boarding options from one-off, ad hoc boarding when, for example, parents need, exceptionally, to be away for a couple of nights, via “flexi” boarding when a child stays regularly in school for the same 2 or 3 nights per week to the weekly boarding option when they sleep in school 4 nights per week and leave school to spend the weekend with parents on a Friday and return to school either on the Sunday evening or Monday morning. Day pupils are able to opt in and out of boarding to suit parents' lifestyles and their own programme of study and social activities. But whatever the option chosen, the end result is the same – access to the full range of a school's facilities after the school day and the fun of living and working with friends.
The experience of being part of a boarding community like St Teresa's, even if only for one or two regular nights per week, has something to offer all youngsters. Academically, they benefit from increased access to facilities – ICT suites, Libraries, Swimming Pool, Gym, Theatre, Musical Instruments and Practice Rooms – as well as having teaching staff on hand to help and support with homework. In public examination years, they have a guaranteed calm, quiet and structured environment in which to study for GCSEs and A levels. Socially, youngsters love the experience of living with friends. They learn to live as part of a group and gain immensely from that experience – excellent training for University! School life suddenly becomes more relaxed and enjoyable and parents can take advantage too of the fact that their child is safe, well cared for and supervised at work or play.
Many day pupils – especially around London and the Home Counties – have long journeys to and from school, some of them spending over two hours a day travelling. Parents of weekly and flexi boarders at St Teresa's comment favourably on the increased time their offspring spend on their studies to say nothing of the benefit of several extra hours of sleep each night!
St Teresa's and indeed, most boarding schools, offer “Taster Sleepovers” for young people to try boarding for size. Just call and ask for possible dates or ask about Boarding Taster Weekends at St Teresa's at their next Open Day on Thursday 11 March from 10.00 to 12.30. We look forward to seeing you!
St Teresa's Nursery, Prep and Senior Schools
Beech Avenue, Effingham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6ST
T: Nursery, Prep and Senior Admissions - related enquiries 01372 750204
General enquiries 01372 452037
E: info@stteresas.surrey.sch.uk
W: www.stteresasschool.com
St Catherines
For those who have never boarded before, myths still abound as to what happens in boarding schools; and for those who have, the reality that some things really have changed is perhaps difficult to believe.
So what is different about boarding in the 21st Century? The three Fs predominate: friends, flexibility and fun. The last two were probably not in many school's aims, written or otherwise 50 years ago. And it is the flexible approach adopted by schools that has seen the growth and success of weekly boarding.
As our lives have become more frenetic, weekends increasingly signify precious time families spend together which is what weekly boarding allows; the week spent in school and the weekend at home. It is particularly apt for a girls' school to espouse weekly boarding because its need has arisen largely out of the increase in the numbers of working women who want to pursue a career and have children; weekly boarding can allow what sometimes may seem the 'impossible dream' to become reality.
St Catherine's is and always has been a mixed day and boarding school and so has long been flexible (our 125th anniversary year this September). For example, bed space permitting, day girls can opt in to boarding e.g. for GCSE and A Level years or because the family is being posted abroad; and those who may have started as boarders might become day girls should the family relocate nearer to Guildford.
Further pluses include the obvious demise of the daily school run, the morning panic over the missing text book or the still wet games kit. Music practice is no longer an ordeal to be squeezed in between school and dinner because everything at St Catherine's is 'on tap'. Collection and drop-off arrangements are also very flexible. If Saturday morning is a better time for you to pick up your daughter, say after a match, it isn't a problem; equally you may wish to collect on a Friday evening. Returning to school for the following week could be Sunday evening or Monday morning.
At weekends full boarders also like to 'chill', perhaps catching the latest cinema release, making a trip to the rugby at Twickenham, enjoying an in-house ice-cream party or simply enjoying an afternoon shopping. Weekly boarders can stay and do all of these things too… and often do!
Day girls and staff value the huge benefits boarding brings to the whole St Catherine's community. Amongst these are a school which is always buzzing, warm and lit, enabling all girls to work in comfort after the end of the teaching day or when a London theatre trip inevitably arrives back at midnight, they may choose to board for an evening… and mum and dad appreciate those benefits too.
Whether you are interested in a day or boarding place for your daughter why not get in touch or visit us at an Open Morning or Prospective Boarders' Evening? Weekly boarding is an option that makes sense for a whole host of reasons, especially if you are a busy mother reading this article!
St Catherine’s
Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0DF
T: 01483 899609
E: admissions@stcatherines.info
W: www.stcatherines.info
Tormead School
Tormead School, in Guildford, is an independent day school for girls aged 4-18. The school was founded in 1905 as an interdenominational school; which welcomes girls of all faiths and those of none.
Of all the gifts a girl can receive, none has more lasting value than a first rate education, at a school, in which she will be happy and successful. We believe this is achieved at Tormead. We encourage each girl to develop her talents to the full, instilling a life-long love of learning. The curriculum offers breadth and challenge, and ensures that each girl gains a firm foundation to her education – providing her with core skills and knowledge that will stand her in good stead for the future. Academic expectations are high but our aim is to achieve this through stimulating, enjoyable and well-taught lessons in a happy, friendly and relaxed school.
We value individuality, celebrate diversity and encourage girls to be themselves, whilst emphasising equally the value of tolerance, teamwork and collective responsibility. And the school's strong pastoral support structure, underpinned by a well developed Personal, Social and Health Education Programme (PSHE), enables us to carefully monitor the progress and welfare of every girl.
A broad curriculum is offered with numerous educational visits, special activities and residential trips throughout the year. Responsibility and leadership are encouraged in a variety of ways throughout the school and we value the girls' outstanding record of examination successes and university places.
But Tormead is not just about academic success, we are just as proud of our girls’ many other achievements and varied contribution to the wider community. Girls have had their work exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, joined BSES expeditions, won Young Enterprise Awards, excelled at national sailing, fencing, swimming and gymnastics competitions. As well as performing in the National Youth Orchestra and Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
The school values its partnership with parents in the education of their daughters and aims that each girl will leave Tormead at ease with herself, ready to face, with confidence, the challenges of life at university and beyond.
Tormead School
Cranley Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2JD
T: 01483 575101
E: registrar@tormeadschool.org.uk
W: www.tormeadschool.org.uk
Lancing College
Lancing College offers an exciting modern boarding experience for boys and girls, in a safe and beautiful place. It is a richly varied community, welcoming pupils from all over the world who learn to live together in harmony. However, like most traditional boarding schools, Lancing is 'local' for most of its families, attracting pupils from a wide area of south east England, including London.
The majority of our boarders live within about fifty miles, some only a few minutes from school. As well as half-terms, they have the flexibility to go home most weekends and spend time with their families and friends. Their parents can attend Chapel, matches and other events at the College and get to know each other and the Lancing staff. Those who live further away or overseas enjoy the different atmosphere and opportunities of weekends at school. Local boarders often choose to stay in as well, and for all our pupils Lancing quickly becomes a home from home.
Lancing has separate houses for boys and girls. Most houses have an intake of 12-14 per year. This is an ideal size of social and pastoral group. Housemasters, housemistresses, matrons and tutors live within the House and working times are supervised. Every pupil has plenty of personal space and the opportunity for privacy. The house is a safe, secure base from which pupils go out to the wider community and facilities of the school. These are exceptionally close and accessible. The main buildings of the campus are all linked together with a central Dining Hall, and set within 500 acres of sports fields, farm and open downland, near to the sea.
Lancing is a Christian community, with a caring balance of tolerance and discipline. Pupils settle in very quickly and have the opportunity to serve others and take responsibility. The emphasis is on individual development and the highest possible standards of attainment in all aspects of school life.
Boarding has been totally transformed in recent years. Schools like Lancing have responded imaginatively to legislation, public opinion and the changing needs of family life. It eases the pressure on parents and families, giving support, understanding and advice, and allows children to enjoy their education in a happy, secure environment.
In its most recent Ofsted boarding inspection, Lancing was commended for offering exceptionally high quality and awarded an 'Outstanding' rating: “The College has a well thought through approach to providing its boarders with a wide range of support and opportunities that encourages them to achieve both educationally and socially and to their fullest potential. It welcomes and celebrates diversity.”
For further information and to request a prospectus, please contact our Admissions Officer on 01273 465805 or visit www.lancingcollege.co.uk
Lancing College
Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0RW
T: 01273 465805 F: 01273 464720
E: admissions@lancing.org.uk
W: www.lancingcollege.co.uk
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