A few sleepovers prior to starting school might help your child become accustomed to sharing their room
Mark Tomsett, head of boarding at St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne, shares his tips for planning ahead
Boarding at school offers children the chance to grow as individuals, both socially and emotionally. It also offers uninterrupted access to the school?s extracurricular activities, use of the wonderful facilities, a readymade second family and, of course, fabulous academic learning. But it is a big step for a child to move away so it makes sense to prepare them in order to be primed and ready to maximise on the experience. Here are my top tips on how to prepare your child for the big move:
The finer details

In the weeks before you drop your child off for their first night, spend some time looking at the school?s boarding booklet and website together, to help them gather as much information as possible. Look at a map of the school site and locate where the different facilities are; review the evening and extracurricular activities on offer and talk through the school?s sport, music, art and drama options. If your child is to be a full boarder, review the weekend routine in advance and check what activities are going to be laid on for them on Saturdays and Sundays. The bedroom

Sharing a bedroom means more noise and more kit. Therefore, you might like to organise a few sleepovers (with the lights out!) to help your child become accustomed to sharing room space and to be...