BOARDING
PREPARING TO BOARD Mark Tomset t, H E AD OF BOAR DING AT ST AN DR EW ’S PR EP, E ASTBOU R N E, SHAR E S HIS TIPS FOR PL AN NING AH E AD
oarding 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:
B
THE FINER DETAILS
The items that might make new boarding life a little easier
WHAT TO PACK
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.
Sew-in name tapes £2.99, gbnametapes.co.uk
Cotton pyjama set £30, boden.co.uk Mossman tuck box £60, tuckonline.com
42 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SPRING 2018
Master Lock padlock £5.67, homebase.co.uk
Lustro shoe shine kit £1, poundland.co.uk