Bristol Living Oct - Nov 2023

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 decisionmaking
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.
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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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