All Hallow's Blog
4 Questions to ask at boarding school open days
2nd August 2023
Boarding school open days provide parents with the opportunity to explore the school and ask questions to the staff and pupils.
There are many reasons why it is important to attend a boarding school open day, in particular if this would be the first time your child has spent at a boarding school.
Being prepared and planning ahead some questions you may want to ask will ensure you are able to get the information you need and make the right decision for your child and your family.
Here are 4 of the most important questions you should ask at a boarding school open day.
How many days are children at boarding school?
Learning about how many days your child will be at boarding school is important when making the right decision. Some schools offer flexible boarding times which may be your preferred choice. Other boarding schools are strict in their time frames, and have boarding during the school term, where pupils only return home during the school holidays.
Making sure you have all the information you need is key to finding the right boarding school for your family and personal situation.
What do children do when not at school?
Knowing what happens during the time when the children are not at school provides you with immense amounts of information. From knowing what activities are available, to how the children spend their downtime, can give you the insight you need to know where the setting is right for your child.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Just because it’s a boarding school doesn’t mean there aren’t any extracurricular activities. In fact, most boarding schools pride themselves on their extracurricular activities. Many pupils at boarding school enjoy a wide variety of extracurricular activities, from sports clubs to science clubs, and more artistic pursuits.
Knowing what extracurricular activities are available can help you assess whether there is something there that interests your child.
What does pastoral care look like at boarding school?
This is probably the most important question to ask as a parent at a boarding school open day. As your child will be spending their time at school, understanding what pastoral care looks like for that boarding school is key.
There will be many times when you won’t be able to help your child through a situation they have encountered at school. So having the support and guidance of the pastoral care team will be essential during those times for your child.
As a parent, finding the right school for your child is the most important and difficult decision you can make. Being prepared will allow you to think clearly about any questions you may have before attending an open day. You may find that your questions are answered naturally through the visit, and new questions occur while you are there.
The most important thing to remember is to consider what you believe will be the best setting for your child to thrive.
All Hallows is a boarding school situated in Somerset. Our location plays an important role in our educational environment, from excursions, to extracurricular activities, we pride ourselves on preparing our borders to thrive in any environment. Speak to our admissions office for more information.
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