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Parenting & Education in Ireland

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Sending your kids to boarding school. Is boarding school right for your child?



In Britain, a group of campaigners are calling for boarding schools to stop accepting young children, claiming that ‘boarding schools are mentally damaging’ and ‘outdated’.


A number of former boarders and psychiatrists agree that the practice of sending young children to boarding school away from home is “institutionalising children and leaving them damaged by being denied a loving home.”


Boarding schools are seen as excessively harsh and severe by many, but is this really the case? Ray McGovern, chairman of the Boarding Schools Association in Britain claims that today’s schools are very different from those in the past and believes that "even a seven-year-old going into a boarding environment can be enriched by it."


With only approximately 30 schools in the country offering boarding facilities, this schooling option is much less popular in Ireland than in the UK. However, Ireland sees many incoming students coming from other European countries including Spain, France and Italy. Students may come to Ireland for a year’s study in order to learn English and experience our culture. Students stay away from home, often living with Irish host families. While not the same as boarding school, the pros and cons of sending young children away from home are similar.


When deciding between local schooling or sending the kids away from home, the choice often becomes a confusing and difficult one for parents. When choosing a school for your child it is most important to consider what will suit them best. Here, we outline some of the positive and negative aspects to boarding school life.

What are the positive aspects of boarding school life for kids?


    • Boarding school can be an excellent option for older kids who find it difficult to focus on their study. The regular daily routine will help kids to allocate enough time to study while also setting apart some time to spend doing things that they enjoy.

    • There are fewer distractions within the boarding school environment. Younger siblings will not be screaming and stomping around the room as your child attempts to study. They will be provided with a quiet and calm environment in which to work.

    • Boarding school provides an education well past the confines of the classroom. Kids who board will learn to be responsible for themselves and make smart decisions. Living away from home, they tend to become more self sufficient and mature.

    • As boarding school involves a lot of time spent with fellow peers, close friendships tend to be made, and friendships made at school will last a lifetime.

    • Boarding schools tend to have better facilities, whether that be sports or arts facilities, libraries or science labs. These schools often have a lot to offer with a wide range of extracurricular activities and students are encouraged to participate.

    • Relationships with faculty have more of an opportunity to thrive and grow. Staff and teachers are regularly available, creating a better environment for learning and mentoring opportunities.

    • Children who are growing up in families experiencing problems may benefit from living away from home. In boarding school they will be kept away from possible negative influences at home.

While there are plenty of positives to boarding, there are negative aspects too:


    • With boarding schools in decline in Ireland, there are very few offering a co-ed experience. Learning to work and interact with members of the opposite sex is an extremely important and basic life long skill. Kids who are denied an opportunity to experience working in a mixed environment may be left at a disadvantage in later life.

    • The cost of boarding schools tend to be very expensive. Local schools may have a lot to offer at much cheaper fees.

    • Children who need a lot of parental guidance and supervision may not be suited to a boarding school life style. While it is important for kids to learn to be independant, some will still need to be accompanied by their parents more than others and won't settle in living away from home.

    • The hectic lifestyle at boarding school is not for everyone. Boarding schools tend to run a strict schedule with many different activities going on while kids are not in classes. Some kids may feel overwhelmed by this and perform better at home where they will have more opportunities to relax.

    • As boarding schools often tend to be far away from home, parents will not always be close by in case of an emergency. If there are any problems in school, teachers will not be as accessible to parents as they may have to travel some distance to the school.
For a list of boarding schools in Ireland as well as all the information you need click here.

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