Educations Portal

Most students who are part of the independent system are day pupils. They often live in areas further away than normal day state school travelers. The children sometimes live 10-15 miles away. If you think days school is the best option for your child then you should take into consideration travelling distances from your home. Bus routes and rail links close the school are areas that should be looked into and it worth checking with the school if they provide their own bus service. If not, there may be other parents in your area with whom you could share the travel.

But you may want to consider the benefits of a boarding school education; don’t dismiss it just because it is unfamiliar. You have a much large range of schools from which to choice and you can avoid the issue of daily travel. Boarding schools will not suit every child, but it is fun and most children enjoy living away from home during term-time. Most children experience a mixture of boarding and day schooling - often at the same institution.

Options that have become increasingly popular over the years are flexible or weekly boarding. Children go home each weekend and this often suits families where both parents have jobs.When both parents are tied down by a full time job, private school often helps to free up restrications on time. ‘quality time’ spent with the kids could can actually be improved through this method as parents are free at the end of a busy working week. Most parents choose boarding schools within an hour’s journey from their homes; if they are likely to be moved abroad or to another part of the country, they might choose boarding schools near relatives or close friends.

To aid you in choosing the right boarding school for your child, put together a list of schools that are suitable and tick all your boxes. Day pupils are welcome at most boarding schools also. Your child could start as a day pupil but enjoy the flexibility of being able to convert to boarding later. Many day children, particularly in preparatory schools, take the opportunity to be occasional boarders for a few nights a year. Boarding schools have lots of options and flexibitly so chances are you will find one that is right for you