As a parent, you want to do everything that you can to give your child a good foundation, including sending them off to boarding school – it gives them a chance to be better focussed on their studies. You cannot, however, take them to the first one that pops into your mind – it is very important to choose schools carefully because they are not all the same.
You obviously want a school with a great curriculum, but you have to keep your child’s desires and strengths in mind. If your child is more interested in the sciences, for example, it would be a waste to enrol them in a school with a curriculum that leans heavily on the sciences. If your child is old enough to know what they want it is important to involve them in the discussion.
A good curriculum is not enough – you also want your child to have comfortable lodgings. Pay a visit to any schools you have in mind and see for yourself how things are organized. The dormitories should not be overcrowded and they should be supervised at all times. Make sure that your child will get 3 solid meals a day and snacks in between.
Your child’s teachers should be highly qualified and have a track record of helping students succeed. They should be able to teach every student at their pace and those who need help should get it. The school should have plenty of extracurricular activities as well as a strong sports program – you want your child to be well rounded.
One Hertfordshire school that has a track record for excellence is St. Francis College. The girls there are between the age of 3 and 18 and they all enjoy a strong curriculum as well as a variety of other activities. You can find out more on their website, https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/.