Choosing The Right School Education
not to board? H
Day school students are self starters who become adept at balancing their home and school life, says Elaine Purves
aving worked in a boarding school and now as the Head of a day school, I can see both sides of this debate. To my mind, the benefi ts of a great school – one that off ers an abundance of extra and
co-curricular activities, strong pastoral support and inspirational teaching – are not exclusive to either day or boarding, and for many pupils and families, a day school will better suit their inclinations and their lifestyles.
Boarding schools have many plus points: they can help foster a strong sense of community, travel time to and from school is cut out so pupils are able to focus on homework and activities after school, and study skills can be more easily supported by schools. However, as the vast majority of young people know only too well, a great day school has just as many benefi ts and advantages as boarding, if not more.
Living at home, during term time, means pupils learn to balance family life and school life, a skill which will be invaluable when they are juggling their future work and home life. Pupils become adept at managing their time outside school, making decisions about extra commitments and social activities – things that are not possible in the more regimented world of boarding. Young people become good “self starters” when living at home during term time, often becoming better independent learners and developing good study skills by establishing their own homework routines.
Attending a day school allows pupils to continue with a myriad of outside interests such as sport, music and hobbies, which in turn develops their ability to interact with a wider group of young people and adults outside the school community. If the pupil travels to school by bus, on foot or by bicycle, this fosters a real sense of independence. Parents also greatly benefi t from being able to see and appreciate being involved in every stage of their child’s development and progress in their formative years. Parents can come into school fairly easily to attend concerts, sports fi xtures, school plays, or parents’ evenings – this is not quite so simple when the school is in another post code, county or region.
Parents also greatly
Children, too, appreciate the presence of their parents in their lives.
As boarding school is beyond the means of the vast majority of families in this
benefi t from being able to see every stage of their child’s development
country, it is perhaps just as well that the more rounded skills and experiences provided through learning at a day school can lead to a thoroughly eff ective preparation for life.
Elaine Purves is headmistress of Ipswich High School
for Girls
Further information Independent Schools Council Their website is a good place to start with a wealth of information
as well as a search system for parents looking for schools around the country Independent Schools Inspectorate Reports Carried out by a body of education professionals all within the independent sector Good Schools Guide Written by parents who are candid but can be biased one way or another
www.fi rstelevenmagazine.co.uk
Autumn 2011 FirstEleven 35
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