Boarding in times of change – the benefits of flexibility

Sarah Rollings, Headmistress, Heathfield, discusses boarding in times of change and the benefits of flexibility.

'For some, boarding school still conjures up the traditional picture of students in school for the duration of the term, with occasional exeat weekends, but this is no longer a true picture. Over recent years there's been a huge cultural shift in boarding - a change which heralds a 21st century approach - very different to the experiences of boarders 15-20 years ago. Flexibility is the new normal, with boarding choices reflecting the needs of parents, students and families, rather than determined by the terms outlined by the school.

Historically, school dictated what was available, and parents either bought into it or not. Today, there's the expectation for a much closer relationship between parents and schools, a partnership with more dialogue. Part of those discussions, has been what parents want from boarding, and it’s now understood that, in terms of schooling, there is no longer a one size fits all. It became obvious there was a need to diversify the offer, widen choices and be more flexible.

Many parents still love the essence of boarding. Not only are their children achieving their best academically, but they are also busy, active, engaged and happy at school, trying new things, being with their friends, developing really strong connections with other people. But now parents can choose when their child boards, and when they come home.

For some parents, weekly boarding provides the best of both worlds, taking away the day-to-day stress of trying to juggle everything that happens in a busy family, and allowing for quality family time at weekends.

Full-time boarding still provides peace of mind for parents who travel, have hectic work schedules or work abroad, knowing their child is in a caring and supportive environment, with all their needs met.

In the boarding environment, day students and families also benefit from flexible options. Parents know their child can be dropped off at 7:30am for breakfast, and if they are working late or something unexpected comes up during the day, they can either make last minute arrangements for their child to board, or they can pick them up as late as 9pm, knowing they’ll have completed their prep, enjoyed some extracurricular activities and eaten a delicious, nutritious dinner.

I think it's also fair to say from a school perspective, that there are huge benefits to having a varied boarding community. It means that depending on the time or day, there are different groups, of different sizes in school. Therefore the opportunities available to students vary greatly.

During the week there’s the hustle and bustle of on-site extracurricular activities alongside sports fixtures, music practices and drama rehearsals. Activities continue into the evenings in boarding. After sport on a Saturday, when the weekend becomes quieter, it’s an ideal opportunity to take the boarders out on trips to visit new places and take part in cultural activities. Different experiences develop different relationships.

Post pandemic, the dynamics of the way people work has changed for good. We're all online now, and parents can work from wherever they want to. It’s made a step change in their interaction with their children and their expectations for schooling, but they must then balance this with having the space at home to focus on their work. Nowadays, whether parents want their children to be a day student or a boarder, they want (need) and appreciate flexibility within that arrangement, even as a full border.

Flexible boarding at Heathfield still provides the stability and builds those friendships and connections that students experience in an all-girls environment. It provides the space and freedom for students to be themselves, gain confidence, experience leadership opportunities and develop positive relationships.

Historically, schools like Heathfield catered for many aristocratic families. This was at a time when full boarding was not just convenient for parents, but it was also considered to be the most excellent education available in England. What parents want has changed, boarding trends have changed, and I would argue rightly so. The new model is more contemporary – and boarding is no longer reminiscent of Tom Brown's School Days.

My main message is that the real strength of boarding is the flexibility available to both boarding and day students and their families. The huge positive about this climate of change is that there is now far more choice, so more girls are able to experience boarding in a way that's right for them. Whether they are day girls, full boarders, weekly or part time boarders, everything is geared towards providing the best possible opportunities for them all.'

June 2024