Advice for parents

Getting ready

It's all arranged and your child's going to become a boarder – so what happens next?

Covered here:

 Travel arrangements
 Living at a boarding school
 Staying in touch
 Uniform and personal appearance
 Joining instructions

The enrolment procedure is complete: you have filled in the application form; your child has successfully passed any entrance tests; the boarding school or college has sent you a letter of offer; and you have completed the acceptance form and paid the deposit. So what happens next?

If your child is joining a boarding school, you will be sent 'joining instructions'. This is a handout or a booklet of practical information for parents and pupils, to make sure your child is well prepared for his or her new school. Independent colleges will send similar pre-departure information. There is unlikely to be a uniform, but there will be advice about what clothes and equipment to bring.

Travel arrangements

The boarding school or college will need to know about your child's travel arrangements for the beginning and end of term, as well as half-term and any other absences from school. Schools and colleges take their responsibility for pupils very seriously, and so they must know where and when they are coming and going. School dates are circulated a year in advance, so that parents can make sure their children arrive and leave on the correct days.

Living at a boarding school

Boarders will spend about eight months of the year living at their school. It is very important, therefore, for them to make their room feel like home. They should bring photographs, toys, and some favourite personal possessions which will give their living space a personal touch. Check with the school if they wish to bring a laptop. Younger pupils often like to bring cuddly toys. But remember that the favourite enormous teddy bear will have to share your child's bed, and might take up too much space!

Staying in touch

It is very easy to keep in touch. Pupils have access to telephones at all times, and usually buy phone cards to call home. Most boarding schools provide pupils with their own e-mail address, and post is collected from the school daily. Most schools permit pupils to have mobile phones, but have rules about the times when they can be used.

Uniform and personal appearance

This varies according to individual schools. Pupils usually wear uniform during the working day and can then change into 'casuals' later in the evening and at weekends. In many boarding schools the sixth-formers do not wear uniform, but should wear smart clothes. Schools usually have strict rules about personal appearance, and most do not allow boys to have long hair. Girls may be expected to tie their hair back, and will not be allowed to wear much jewellery or high-heeled shoes while in uniform. Vibrant hair dye and studs in interesting places are not allowed!

Joining instructions Joining instructions will usually include the following: – A uniform list, informing you what clothes your child should have, and suggesting quantities for each item (eg how many shirts). This list may also include equipment such as a scientific calculator, and details of any sports kit to bring. – Information about the boarding school shop on the campus, or a supplier near the school. Some schools have arrangements for second-hand sales. – An order form for name tapes. Everything your child brings to school should have their name on it, so you will need to sew the name tapes on every article of clothing, and mark the name on all other property. – The school calendar, giving dates of the three terms, half-terms and other events in the academic year. – Contact information, including telephone and fax numbers and the e-mail address for the boarding house staff, and the numbers for phoning pupils directly. – A medical form requesting information about vaccinations, special dietary needs or allergies, and other aspects of your child?s health. – A timetable showing the daily and weekly routine at the boarding school. – The school's rules of behaviour and general conduct. – Information about how often full reports are sent to parents and guardians. This is usually twice a year. In between times, grades are usually given for achievement and effort. There will be a summary of the grade system used (A–E) with a brief description of each level, and how often they are awarded each term. This will normally be about every three or four weeks.