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Those of you with kids in boarding school (overseas)

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:06

At what age did you put your child into boarding school please?

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144

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 14:40

My children went to boarding school in the UK at the age of 10, almost 11, after completing their primary education here in the UAE. My eldest has now completed school and university and is working in his chosen career in London. My youngest is at university in the US, with 12 months to go. Both are extremely confident, independent, happy people who appear to have achieved greater success so far than many of their peers who stayed in the UAE for secondary school. If I had to make the same decision again I would do so without any hesitation. It's not for everybody, but it worked for us.

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 13:27

I went to boarding school at 13 - twas great!

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 12:36

I believe Hannadina was separated from her mother from other reasons than boarding school (I seem to remember her posting this quite a while ago, my apologies if I have you mixed up with someone else, HD). We ARE looking at all the options, including extra-curricular tutoring, online support etc. As I said, I'm not in Dubai and beyond the school she's in, the next school is about 85km from me. Whatever decision we do make, it will not be made lightly and will (hopefully) be the best decision for all concerned.

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 10:40

Hi Sandy Dogg, As you know, I'm certainly no expert on schools in the UAE,but, if I were to have them educated in a school there, without a doubt they would have attended VISS in Sharjah(Victoria International School in Sharjah). We did a tour of the school when were using the school to sit exams) Super impressive.The class sizes were great,the facilities were wonderful,the teachers we met were warm,welcoming & accommodating. Had we not have been returning to Australia,we would have enrolled the kids in the school ( part time- yes,the school were even happy to work around our homeschooling and were keen to take the kids for some subjects : such as science,pe etc) Perhaps it may suit your needs? I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors: feeding baby & typing this message ony phone.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 10:22

Oh yeah, I want to remove my child from a school that invoices me in "dhirhams" for "tution fees". They would like me to pay the third "instllment". This is just one document....

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 10:03

Hannadina, which secondary school does your child/go to? Are you aware that places in good secondary schools are not out there? Are you aware that there are waitlists? Trust me, if it was as easy as choosing a school I want DD to attend and drop her in there I would do it. Sadly, that's not the case. Firstly, we do not WANT to send our child to boarding school, we are simply looking at all the options because staying at the school she's in now (in an area where we have the choice of 1 school) is not looking like an option without severely compromising her education. Secondly, we didn't choose this country. My DH doesn't have a lot of say as to where his company decide to do business. His company relocated from Oman to Dubai and it was a case of come to the UAE or find another job. At that time my DD was in the early years of primary school and it wasn't an issue. We didn't actually see ourselves still being in the region by the time she would start secondary school but that's the turn life's given us. Last time I looked jobs aren't in abundance. Essq, it's something we're looking at but it's not ideal. We own our property here and we've got more chance of knitting fog than finding a buyer (or even a renter) for it. We have toyed with the idea of renting somewhere small in Dubai close to a school but it's not the greatest thing financially to pay the mortgage on this place and the rent somewhere else. Of course, that's assuming we could get a place in a halfway-decent school in Dubai... We are also looking at schools in other Emirates. Hannahdina, I assure you boarding school would only be the absolute last resort.

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 08:27

Sanddy: Can you move back to Dubai for the schooling issue? Hannadina: I understand where you are coming from, and it is all relative. The standard of education in Dubai is excellent to some, and diabolical to others. I have been to boarding school and had the experience and will not do it to my children. To those who say their kids are happy, all I can say is that my parents also believed/wanted to believe the same thing. To be able to see my kids at the end of the day and know what is happening in their lives is important to me. Only recently did I tell my Mom that I have never ever recovered, and the only thing I am happy for is that I have learnt through experience, never to send my kids away. I believe the standard of education in Dubai is awful, but I have managed to get my children into the 'best' of the awful schools, and that is as good as I can do.

16

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 06:24

I honestly find this whole boarding school idea from such a young age very very strange ( except in special situations) and living overseas is Definitely not one of them...why on earth do families who send their kids off to boarding school at such young age decide to have kids anyway???? to raise them till age 11 then ship them off to a boarding school?? why seriously?? I lived without my mother for sooo sooo many years and i wish that had not been the case..why do you keep ur kids away from you? why do you have them in the first place? i really do not understand this concept.. Education is a special situation.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 05:57

I don't think you'll find many parents who plan right from the word go that they are going to pack their children off to boarding school by a certain age. I certainly wasn't reading boarding school brochures through my pregnancy. I don't know what you think of as being special situations but I think that living overseas definitely IS one of them if the child's education is suffering. Those that have done it here have waited until their children are old enough to deal with it, and only after a lot of thought and consideration. We don't want to do it but are looking at it as a last resort due to the standard of education. We don't live in Dubai so putting DD's name down on a load of waiting lists is not an option, plus there are only a handful of schools I'd want her in. If she wouldn't be happy with it, she won't go. <em>edited by Sanddy_Dogg on 10/02/2011</em>

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 22:29

I went to boarding school in the uk when I was 16 (this was about 12 years ago now - eek) and my parents stayed here. I have to admit I hated it. Every minute. I also feel that as I was so unhappy there this seriously affected my a level results. The school I entered had excellent facilities but it was hard being the new girl. Most of the friendships were already made and the old girls were nice but I still felt I was the new girl. I have also lots touch ith the few people I did keep in touch with On the plus side I do not think I would have coped as well at uni if I had not been to boarding school as I was already used to being away from home. I personally think it is important that the child is sent at the right age. I think 16 was too old for me as I already had friends and a life here. The children who went at 11 seemed to do better. Also most of the children went home at half term but I stayed in the uk with some relatives. Although I love those relatives dearly I was not going "home" at half terms and others were and I found this hard. I did not really want to go either and the decision was made for me but I think if I had been really keen then it might have been a bit different. If I have kids will I send them to boarding school? Not if I lived oversea - unless I had no other choice or the child really wanted it. I would consider weekly boring if I lived in the uk. Do not want to put you off as I know some kids have loved being at boarding school and really benefited from the experience. This is just my experience ;)

215

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 22:07

Well, our nearest family live an hour away from the school but we have met some truly amazing families who live in the farming area around the school and they are so aware that some of the boys come from far away and have already made such an effort to help out with our boys. The one mum who now has a third boy in the school lives 5 minutes away and has made repeated offers that if mine is sick, she will come and fetch him and take him home and nurse him. I have been so overwhelmed by how fantastic people have been and the parents who are fortunate enough to be seeing their boys at sport on the weekends (even though they can't go home) make a special effort to include the boys who don't have someone there. I know that this can't replace mum when your child is feeling sick but, as a mum, I know my boy is not just going to be thrown to the wolves. The housemaster and his family and the matron are also such lovely caring people so I know my boy is in good hands and is going to have an experience that will benefit him for the rest of his life.

3901

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:56

what if they're ill ? Most boarding schools have a local doctors practice attached to the school where Doctors are on 24 hour call, ours has 6 resident highly qualified nurses with 2 always on duty, a fully equipped medical centre with a ward. There are fabulous NHS hospitals within a short radius of the school as well as private BUPA if needed. Every child meets the Doctor on entry to the school, has a health check and is kept vaccinated and medicated as required. Injuries from sports etc get dealt with and physio etc is provided or arranged by the medical staff and Matron. In a boarding school every one is trained to deal with first aid and child protection. Matrons treat the kids like their own, very sensible and deal with anything that needs to be dealt with keeping parents informed all the time. The Matron will give a cuddle, read bedtime stories to younger kids and is a sub mum when needed, good for a cuddle and a cry. Most matrons have nursing backgrounds and have had kids of their own. The pastoral care is really important. i wasn't concerned about the medical care, just the fact of what they/you do if they would normally be sent home. You can hardly pop home to collect them lol

16

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:54

I would look for schools within a 50 mile radius of my family. It is a last resort, but something we need to consider, sadly. That's a good start, then you have a guardian for weekends out (about one in every block of 6 week term)

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:47

I would look for schools within a 50 mile radius of my family. It is a last resort, but something we need to consider, sadly.

215

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:46

My son has just started (aged 13) and is really enjoying it! I thought it would be so much harder but the fact that he is absolutely loving it has made it so much easier for me to accept. He is the one who wanted to go and I thought that he might want to back out as time got closer but no chance - it is a full boarding school which I think does make a huge difference because all the boys are there on the weekends and they are kept very busy with sport and activities which is what we felt was lacking in the schools here. Each to his own and good luck in making your decision - there is no easy answer and each child is different.

16

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:46

what if they're ill ? Most boarding schools have a local doctors practice attached to the school where Doctors are on 24 hour call, ours has 6 resident highly qualified nurses with 2 always on duty, a fully equipped medical centre with a ward. There are fabulous NHS hospitals within a short radius of the school as well as private BUPA if needed. Every child meets the Doctor on entry to the school, has a health check and is kept vaccinated and medicated as required. Injuries from sports etc get dealt with and physio etc is provided or arranged by the medical staff and Matron. In a boarding school every one is trained to deal with first aid and child protection. Matrons treat the kids like their own, very sensible and deal with anything that needs to be dealt with keeping parents informed all the time. The Matron will give a cuddle, read bedtime stories to younger kids and is a sub mum when needed, good for a cuddle and a cry. Most matrons have nursing backgrounds and have had kids of their own. The pastoral care is really important.

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:41

i'm sure if you would send them to board anyway it doesn't make any difference where they are...bit of a s0d if they get taken ill and you would normally have them home but if they have grandparents or other family members to go to i suppose it would be ok.. wouldn't work for us - i would feel too far away and would resent having to pay so much in airfares !! but i see what you say about the life they have..tough call that wouldn't be my choice but i can see how it would work for others..

fay@the ranches1722

108

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:36

They go to the san, school calls the doctor. If they have too many sick kids, they can ask for them to go to their guardian. Luckily we have only had bad colds and nothing serious

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:33

what if they're ill ?

fay@the ranches1722

108

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:31

You keep yourself very busy! but it is is really hard for us. They on the other hand have a FAB time as there are so many great activities _if you have chosen the right school, they wanted to go in the first time and you have the money to fly them home for hols. Life DOES get much more complex as you do feel you are missing out seeing them in show, matches etc and ofcouse they will want to come back here for hols whereas you might like to go back home to see family and friends. Good luck deciding. How old are your kids?

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:29

Thanks bornfree. how do you cope with missing them (and them you) ? That's something I would like to know too. We are considering as a last resort for DD if we can't find a solution here. She would be 12 (and a half-ish) by the time she wold start.

3901

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:18

how do you cope with missing them (and them you) ?

5499

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:07

Why 'don't do it'? If the schooling option here is shyte, what makes boarding school worse?

fay@the ranches1722

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:06

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249

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:06

don't do it....

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