School visits: questions and answers &A

Q: What is the school’s policy on use of the internet and mobile phones?

A: Does the school have realistic and sensible policies in place to monitor internet usage? Mobile phones can be useful, not least as a means of keeping in touch with parents, as long as rules on their use and security are in place and put into practice. Must boarders hand in their devices when they go to bed to ensure good sleep routines.

Q: What are the school’s policies on alcohol, drugs and smoking? Is the school facing any particular problems in any of these areas at present?

A: Every boarding school will have policies in place to cover these matters. The real question is how these issues are dealt with, and whether the individuals concerned learn from their mistakes. This is an opportunity to consider the school’s personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) programme and its health and safety and disciplinary policies, the medical and counselling services available, what happens if serious offences are committed, on what grounds a pupil may be temporarily or permanently excluded, and when this last happened. You should feel matters would be dealt with consistently, sympathetically but firmly and, above all, fairly.

Boarding Life And Pastoral Care

Q: How can we be confident our child’s interests are protected at all times?

A: Schools are subject to rigorous child welfare legislation, regulation and inspection, which is entirely right and proper. The interests of the child are at the heart of a boarding education. All schools are required to have a safeguarding (child protection) policy and all staff should receive regular training in safeguarding. The school’s latest inspection report should provide further details.

Q: Who is the first staff member we should see if there is a problem?

A: The right member of staff can deal with many problems immediately. Knowing who that is and developing confidence in them is very important. Most boarding schools have very good pastoral care and counselling systems and knowing how these operate is important. This question will also allow you to find out how well the school communicates with parents, and what opportunities there are for visits to the school to meet your child’s housemaster/ housemistress, teachers and other parents.

Q: What are the communal areas in the boarding houses like?

A: This includes bathrooms (your child should have personal privacy) and common rooms. Does the house offer a variety of activities and options for pupils besides watching a screen?

Q: What leadership opportunities are available in house and in school?

A: It is really important that as many pupils as possible have the opportunity to represent their peers and the student voice. Most schools have a prefect/pupil leadership opportunity and there are also school councils, sports leaders and boarding representative bodies.

Q: How good is the catering? Do the boarders have an input into the choice of menu offered?

A: These are really questions for the boarder showing you around. The general standard of school catering is remarkably high and schools are very conscious of the need to maintain healthy diets. On an overnight taster stay, your child will be able to assess the quality of the food. If there is a food committee, you can ask how often it meets and to see some of its minutes/action points.

Q: What medical arrangements are in place?

A: What happens in the case of either illness or an emergency or accident? Schools should inform you about the medical staff and the facilities. It is also wise to check on insurance arrangements, particularly for sporting fixtures, expeditions and trips, both at home and abroad.

Q: How important is the role of chapel in school life?

A: The chapel may be central to boarding school life. While not every pupil may be expected to participate fully, a great deal can be achieved through chapel, most notably its important role in SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) education and particularly in helping to develop pupils’ life skills and a sense of care, concern and respect for others in the whole community.

Financial Issues

Q: What extras can we expect to pay?

A: Extras vary according to your child’s co-curricular involvement. It should be made clear by the school at the outset what additional expenses you will be expected to pay. Study leave will not have a reduction in fees but there is no compulsion for a boarder to spend study leave at home.

After Your Visit

After your visit, try to discuss with your child your thoughts about the people you met, what you were told and what you saw. Then ask yourself a number of follow-up questions:

• What views did you form of the Head? Why?

• How did the aims and objectives of the boarding school appear in practice?

• Was there a good rapport between pupils and staff, and boarders and the boarding house staff? How was the eye-to-eye contact?

• Were the boarders well-mannered and enthusiastic about their house/school?

• Did the school have policies, procedures and rules to make it a civilised and caring community?

• Were the staff communicative and did they enjoy their teaching? Did they have control of their classes? What contribution did they make to the life of the school outside the classroom?

• Were the buildings and the grounds well maintained?

• Was there a generally positive atmosphere about the community?

• Finally, and crucially, will the school meet your child’s needs and will your child be happy there?

The Most Important Consideration

Over the years I have advised many friends and acquaintances on choosing a boarding school. The key message is to listen to your child’s views. Despite what the media still write, very few children are ‘sent to boarding school’. It is a child’s choice to be a boarder and they should have a big input into the choice of school. By all means ensure that the chosen school could support your child in developing their particular skills. Just because your great friends have agreed on a boarding school for their child, that does not mean it is necessarily right for your child. The greatest mistake I have seen in terms of the choice of boarding school is when a parent is fixated on a particular school and does not consider their child’s needs.