Boarding allows children to make life-long friends they wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to meet
To move or board is a question on many parents’ minds as they begin on a new term – but could flex-boarding also be an option, asks Lorna Coward of Hurstpierpoint College
When pupils are asked to describe boarding at Hurst, it?s common to hear them say, ?I live 10 minutes away but I board because I enjoy it.? Hurst has become known as a school where you board because you choose to, rather than need to.
Boarding at Hurst, and at many other schools, falls into three categories; full boarding, weekly boarding and the most popular option, flexi-boarding. While full boarding involves living at school seven days a week and weekly boarding is five nights a week, flexi-boarding allows pupils to board for three nights on the days of their choice. In most cases, pupils are even able to choose their boarding nights at short notice. At Hurst, this is possible because all boarders have their own bed in their own room for the duration of the term, so it?s always there if they need it. ?Boarding gives the pupils a work-home balance. School life is busy and boarding enables them the chance to take part in extra-curricular sport, drama or music after school,? explains Adam Hopcroft, housemaster of the Red Cross boys? house.
However, the benefits of flexi-boarding extend far beyond the option to take part in more activities. Adam also believes it gives pupils an advantage ...