How Does Boarding for Day Scholars Work in the UK?
Occasionally, students who come from far and those who plan to attend the evening programs find it necessary to spend a night at the school’s boarding facility. In the top ten boarding schools in the UK, there are occasional boarding sections for day students. Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies (CCSS), for instance, is considered among the best providers of occasional boarding. The school gives the parents of the day scholars the confidence of knowing that their kids are safe in the school when they (the parents) are not at home for whatever reason. At the occasional boarding facilities, the students are supported academically and individually in absence of their parents. This means that they can grow and perform at the same level as the regulars.
How the Program Works
The occasional boarders are expected to follow the routine that the regulars follow. There are basically no exceptions during their stay. They are given a bed and food (comprising of breakfast, lunch, and evening meals). Just like the regular boarders, their evening study sessions are supervised by the boarding staff and their security and welfare is taken care of. The advantage though is that occasional boarders are charged at a discount. For example, CCSS charges £70-£90 a night for occasional boarding. If compared to the fee that regular boarders pay, the charge is a reasonable one. Nonetheless, there are limits as to how often the day scholars can spend a night at the boarding facilities. In most cases, the limit is two days a week and up to 14 successive nights in a given academic year.
The existence of occasional boarding for day scholars makes learning at the top boarding schools in the UK fun and convenient. The day scholars are able to attend the late programs suitably without the fear of going back home late. They also get the treatment that regular boarders get.