St Benedict’s School, Ealing
It’s a huge decision to be faced with. Here, two school heads reveal the benefits of both day education and boarding
DAY SCHOOLS – Andrew Johnson, head of St Benedict?s School, Ealing
Having been the headmaster of a boarding school for 10 years, I know that boarding can offer an incredibly rich, immersive educational experience. For some children, boarding is the best option. For others, however, it simply isn?t.
The most obvious advantage of day schools is that they allow children to stay closely connected with family life. Some children need to return to their home at the end of a busy day in order to reflect on the day?s experiences and to have the space they require to be themselves. Day schools help children to learn how to be organised and independent, and to manage their home-school life. Day schools move at a pace, and carpe diem is in their DNA. There is an energy and focus in the school day as every minute is used intelligently, beginning for some at 7.45am, and ending any time between 4pm and 6pm.
Another considerable advantage for certainly any London day school is that museums, galleries and many other wonderful places are on the doorstep, and bring children?s learning to life. Inspirational speakers are easier to attract to a London school, too, as many are based in the capital (six children?s authors recently attended our Book Week). City day schools benefit from a high degree of connectivity. What we may lack i...