No longer all or nothing...

Once upon a time children went to school in smart, starchy, serge uniforms at the start of the Michaelmas term. They'd pop home thrice yearly: to open pristinely wrapped presents delivered by the Hamley’s Santa; return to devour delicious Easter eggs and finally back once more for long lazy summers; entertained and amused by Nanny, repeating the whole process annually until it was time to ‘come-out’.

Not any more! Today, even full-boarders have 'leave-outs' every two to three weekends...

Occasional / flexi boarding

Boarding has changed beyond recognition. In some establishments it’s more akin to a glorified babysitting service, or mass sleep over.

Occasional (or flexi) boarding is growing in popularity. Parents like it, it fits in with work and social life. The children are with friends in comfortable surroundings and, of course, for schools hard-pressed to fill beds, but not desks, the extra cash is a welcome boost to the coffers.

Occasional boarding is not without its detractors. It can be expensive, it can be hard for your child and regular boarders to establish a routine, and can compound problems of home-sickness. On the other hand it gets a child used to being away from home, gives opportunities for extended activities at school and saves having to leave school late and get up early. Your youngsters can still raid the biscuit tin regularly enough to remain popular with all those full-timers forced to eat nothing but sprouts and salads.

Weekly Boarding

An increasingly popular option, particularly in the Home Counties and commuter belts. Weekly boarders arrive back at school Sunday evening or Monday morning and depart after school on Friday/Saturday.

Children see their parents every weekend. Parents are freed from the drudgery of providing a ‘glorified taxi’ service. They don’t have to worry about a meeting running late and children can pursue after-school activities in abundance because they’re literally on the doorstep.

Routines and friendships are more readily established and it’s a tad cheaper than the full Monty.

Full boarding

Even this isn’t as full as it once was. All schools (bar a few residential for children with SEN) close their doors for half term and the vast majority have at least one compulsory exeat or weekend out either side of half-term. Full boarding enables schools and children to establish a routine.

A proper ‘full-boarding’ school will have a packed programme of activities and events at weekends.

Most have Saturday school, and although there are only a few schools left where boarding is compulsory, those who view themselves as ‘boarding schools with day children (often referred to as day boarders) will insist that day children turn up for weekend matches/activities as necessary.

Day boarding

Finally there’s day boarding which isn’t really board...