As well as helping to develop confidence and social skills, boarding school provides children with a home from home environment in which they can grow into independent people. Unlike those of yesteryear, the modern boarding school offers pastoral care, superior facilities, high-quality teaching in small classes and endless opportunities for extra-curricular activities such as art, music, sport and drama. The benefits of boarding are plentiful. Boarders often make friends for life and have a great sense of community. Although homesickness will affect most boarders to some degree, the majority thoroughly enjoy the experience once they settle in. In reality, most children haven't been `sent away' by unfeeling parents. About 80% of pupils have themselves made the decision to board and six out of 10 go home every weekend. Under 10% of parents see their children less frequently than every three weeks, and the vast majority of those live overseas. Adrian Underwood, director of the Boarding Schools Association and a former housemaster said: "Boarding is not for everyone and if a child is not willing or ready to board, most schools will encourage the family to have a discussion and possibly rethink." He said many schools have a `buddy system' with someone of a similar age allocated to help a new pupil. And mentoring systems involve a 16 or 17-year-old looking after a younger pupil. Most boarding schools also have day places, so children can start as day pupils then convert to boarding. Pupils are taken at the age of seven, 11 or 13. Few schools accept under-sevens but exceptions can be made. A big advantage of this education is the time spent on extra-curricular activities, such as sport. Pupils showing promise are encouraged to develop skills and, without the distractions of home, can realise their potential. Fees for a full boarder in the North-East are about £15,000 a year. This includes pastoral and physical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help may be available with fees. Almost a third of all pupils now receive financial assistance in spite of the loss of about 5,000 holders of Government-assisted places.
Contact the Boarding Schools Association (BSA) for more information on (020) 7798-1580.
--------------------------------------------------------- Case Study
 Boarding at Durham School has given 16-year-old Robyn Hornby "confidence and independence". Having boarded since the age of 11 at an independent school in Bath, Robyn recently moved to the North- East after her father, who is in the forces, was posted to Cyprus. After winning a sports scholarship, she joined Durham School's sixth form in September to study A-levels in history, ICT, German, and PE. She said: "Because of my father's job, we moved around a lot so we decided boarding was the best option. When I first started boarding at the age of 11, I cried for the first term but you just have to stick it out and I ended up really enjoying the experience. "I was very nervous coming to Durham School because it is the first time I've attended a mixed school. However it's amazing how friendly everyone has been and they've really helped me out. I've got to know the girls really well and it's like having your own family here." Robyn is one of 120 female students at Durham School, around 20 of whom are full-time boarders. There are two Houses for girls, one for day girls and one for boarders, and three Houses for day boys and boarders. According to Robyn, boarding has made her more confident. She said: "Boarding definitely teaches you to be more independent and how to deal with your own issues and problems. It also allows me to take part in more sporting activities. "My advice to others thinking of boarding is to give it a go, stick it out, and take on board all the experiences that are given to you." | 
Northumberland
