Choosing an independent boarding school

According to the British Council, there are approximately 500 boarding schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Given the wide choice available, how do you begin to choose the right school for your child?

Those boarding schools are a mixture of independent, public and state funded schools, as well as a mix of single-sex and co-educational. So, this is a good place to begin when deciding where to send your children.

Independent and public boarding schools

These schools are largely funded by the parent, with average yearly fees being around ￡35k for secondary school and approximately ￡25k for preparatory school. An independent, private or public boarding school operates with a governing body or by the owner, independent from the UK Government, whist still preparing students for the same examinations and assessments as state funded schools.

Choosing an independent boarding school over a state funded boarding school may afford your children greater opportunities for extra-curricular activities and experiences and mixing with other influential families all whilst being guided by some of the country’s best educators.

Single-sex vs co-educational boarding schools

This may be a matter of personal preference, and can be discussed as a family, involving your children. Or you may feel that you would like to give your children the same educational experience as you enjoyed.

When deciding between single-sex or co-ed, you may want to consider the statistics around performance. A Public School Review in May 2022 found that both boys and girls appear to score better in single-sex settings.

Safe transportation to and from school

Some families opt for schooling close to home on transportation grounds. However, there is another option of choosing the right school for the student on the merits of both the institution and the child, regardless of location.

If location is not a limitation and you have decided on a boarding school, The Summit would like to offer a solution to your concerns of transporting your children to and from school.

We currently escort students to Burford School, St Hughes Prep, Oxford University’s New College and Magdalen College School. Parents accompany their children into school to sign in, and make sure all the essentials are arranged and we return the parents to the airport, seaport or home.

We can also escort your children ourselves, with live location tracking, free onboard Wi-Fi and up to date DBS certification. On their homeward journey, we will even accompany them through passport control, security checks, and to an airline concierge or private jet where needed, whilst maintaining diplomacy and protocol at all times.

To discuss your needs in confidence, please contact us on +44 (0) 1865 686105 or email [email protected].

For further assistance with independent schooling, visit the Independent Schools Council, where you will find research, bursary advice and a school-finder tool along with other valuable resources.