11. The Boarding Experience

11

THE BOARDING EXPERIENCE

NLCS Jeju has developed a reputation for providing some of the best boarding experiences in the international school market, anywhere in the world. Boarding Homes at NLCS Jeju are not dormitories. Our boarding experience is based on the ‘three pillars’ of an NLCS education: academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care and enhanced co-curricular opportunities.

NLCS Jeju is a boarding school and we are proud that our students come to see us as a ‘home away from home’. Boarding students, from Years 4 to 13, enjoy the unique benefits of living in this learning environment. For students who board with us, transitioning into university life is a natural step.

The ethos and aims of boarding provision at NLCS Jeju are designed in line with the philosophy of the school aims laid out in Section 2 of this Handbook. It is our firm belief that boarding allows young people in our care to attain greatest academic success whilst avoiding the pressures associated with some previous educational experiences. It is our intention that boarding provides a ‘home from home’ for our boarding students whilst also providing the support and challenge that allows each young person to be better prepared for success beyond NLCS Jeju.

Boarders develop the confidence and life-long friendships that come from the specialist programme and opportunities we provide. The balance of time boarders spend studying, sleeping or engaged in competitive, social and creative activities, is in line with current UK best practice and research. Our boarders learn and live with others and are provided with ‘an education’ beyond their formal education which includes leadership, independence, social skills and respect.

NLCS Jeju’s boarding model is similar to many established, successful and prestigious schools in the UK in that the Boarding Home staff are faculty members who teach. They are supported in supervision of the Home by other faculty members who perform duties in the evenings. Though this system is complicated to operate, we believe it provides our boarders with an advantage, as during term time, the boarding experience is informed and supportive of every child’s specific needs. Our Boarding Homes are named after oreums, local beaches, and coastal features. Our Boarding students from Years 7 to 11 live in homes named: Hyeopjae, Aewol, Yongduam, Pyoseon and Iho and the Junior Boarding students from Years 4 to 6 reside in a specific areas within Hyeopjae and Iho Boarding Homes. The two Sixth Form Homes, called Halla North and Halla East, are where the Year 12 and 13 boarders are accommodated.

11.1 CHANGE OF STATUS -

DAY TO BOARDING/BOARDING TO DAY/OVERNIGHT CHARGES

NLCS Jeju is a boarding school that aims to provide outstanding pastoral care and excellent boarding provision for the boarding students in our care. There are many advantages to boarding and Boarding Home staff are happy to meet with parents of day students looking to discover more.

Parents wishing to change the status of their child from a day student to a boarder can complete an electronic form “Request for Day to Boarding Transfer (Change of Status)” which is available from the iSAMS Parent Portal. A Boarding Handbook is available that contains further information for families of boarding students.

Students looking to experience boarding life and the wonderful camaraderie it brings, may benefit from several taster nights in boarding so an informed decision can be made. Where there is space in Boarding Homes, and agreed by the BM, a stay can be arranged for 70,000 won (excluding meals) per night. A growing number of day students have taken advantage of this already and it enables them to experience an authentic experience in boarding. Parents interested in this should contact the Head of Boys’ Boarding or Head of Girls’ Boarding depending on the gender of the student wishing

Parents that are considering a boarding to day transfer must discuss this with the relevant BM in the first instance. It is vitally important for parents to understand that, before moving out of the boarding system, there is a process we must follow and a number of policies which help to ensure that parents are making an informed decision and that the best interests of the child is at the heart of the decision. This should not be a rushed and hasty decision and we have a duty to ensure that transfer of care and control is made to a responsible person. Parents should speak with the BM about their motives to ensure there is clarity for all involved surrounding this decision. Parents should note that a term’s notice is required if financial penalties are to be avoided. This means, for example, informing the School before the Easter break if the child is to change to a day student the following August. Please also see FAQs below in Section 23. Homestay arrangthe School. ements are not appropriate as they will not meet the living arrangement requirements of the School.