Toby Batchelor, Head of Boarding at Cranleigh Prep School, on the time benefits to both children and families that come from full or flexi boarding options
Boarding at school is an extension of family in a vibrant home away from home. Although you can never quite achieve being a child’s home, it is the next best thing. Boarding at prep school offers the academic and pastoral support that any parent would while making sure children have a really great time and feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings.
The most important thing that boarding offers children is time. Full and flexi boarding models both give greater time in the evenings and weekends for pupils to be involved in a wide range of interests, with the aim of becoming well-rounded characters. Rather than being stuck in a car commuting to school they are enjoying various enriching opportunities. Such a boarding experience will ensure that pupils leave as confident, independent, personable, adaptable and caring young people who are equipped to make the most of their talents.
“Families who had previously ruled out boarding for sensible we-all-want-to-be-together reasons are equally wary of turning their young people into latch-key children or commuters”
Boarders benefit socially and culturally through a variety of fun after-school activities. These can range from traditional sports like cricket, and football to less traditional activities such as Laser Quest, stonemasonry, flag football and Airfix model making. They also benefit through the day-to-day experiences that come from living in a boarding community.
Pupils who board also reap the rewards of extra academic opportunities. such as guided preps from experienced teachers, revision clinics with heads of department and group work with their peers. However, most importantly in today’s world, boarders get the chance to develop resilience and hone their decision-making skills.
This comes through the provision of ‘gently guided’ independence that helps them learn how to manage workloads, look after themselves (and others) and handle academic and social challenges, while encouraging them to have respect for others and to enjoy being part of a team.
Another more practical factor has also brought about a more recent resurgence of interest in boarding. In a progressively more frenetic world. The day-to-day juggling of school run, overseeing homework and ferrying offspring to out-of-school clubs can be a challenge for even the best organised working parents.
Families who had previously ruled out boarding for sensible we-all-want-to-be-together reasons are equally wary of turning their young people into latch-key children or commuters – or seeing them harried through the evening routines in a flurry of stress. This is certainly part of the appeal of the flexi-boarding model offered by schools such as Cranleigh Prep.
Parents see the potential for having the best of both worlds. Indeed, families who had initially been worried about missing out on their child’s upbringing routinely comment to us that flexi-boarding has actually improved the family dynamic by removing so much of the day-to-day angst, allowing proper quality time at the weekends.
Cranleigh Prep School cranprep.org
Further reading: Focus on Repton Prep
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