Figure 1.--Here the boarders are getting into their trunks after afternoon games and before tea. At some schools the trunks are stored away. At this schools they are kept available in each form common room.
|
Figure 1.--Here the boarders are getting into their trunks after afternoon games and before tea. At some schools the trunks are stored away. At this schools they are kept available in each form common room. |
The traditional preparatory school was a boarding school. This was because the purpose of a prep school was to prepare the younger boys for public school life and the public schools were boarding schools. It was widely seen as beneficial to board younger boys. Generally this began atr 7 or 8 years of age, although younger boys might board, depending on family circumstances. An older brother was also a factor. A lot goes on at boarding schools in the afternoon and evening after the day children go home. There are also weekend activities. Here the program varies greatly from school to school. It also varies seasonally. Generally the children are allowed to stay up longer during the summer term with longer days. Of course thed schools vary considerably as to the facilities availavle for freetime activities. There can be free time, supervised activities like a free swim, tea (evening meal), perhaps some television (usually the news), prep, and finally bed time. Some schools give more attention to free time while others place greater emphasis on prep. The children's bed-times are staggered by age so the younger children go to bed a little earlier. The amount of time in the evening depends on the child's age. Most boarding schools have Saturday classes, but this is not common at day schools. Saturday classes are held in the morning. The afternoon is devoted to games, activities, and free time. Often a video is shown in the evening. Sunday is devoted to church in the morning and activities and freetime in the afternoon. Occassionally trips are organized in the afternoon.
The traditional preparatory school was a boarding school. This was because the purpose of a prep school was to prepare the younger boys for public school life and the public schools were boarding schools. It was widely seen as beneficial to board younger boys. Generally this began atr 7 or 8 years of age, although younger boys might board, depending on family circumstances. An older brother was also a factor. Over time 8 years of age became the standard time to begin prep school. Parents attitudes have gradually changed and modern parents are less inclined to board younger children.
At one time most preparatory schools were boarding establishments. And many did not accept day children. This has changed. There are now more day schools and most boarding sdchools now accept day children. The proportion of boarding to day children varies from school to school. This of course affects the character of the school. While the proprtion varies, the general trend has been an increasing proportion of day children.
A lot goes on at boarding schools in the afternoon and evening after the day children go home. There are also weekend activities. Here the program varies greatly from school to school. It also varies seasonally. Generally the children are allowed to stay up longer during the summer term with longer days. Of course thed schools vary considerably as to the facilities availavle for freetime activities. There can be free time, supervised activities like a free swim, tea (evening meal), perhaps some television (usually the news), prep, and finally bed time. Some schools give more attention to free time while others place greater emphasis on prep. The children's bed-times are staggered by age so the younger children go to bed a little earlier. The amount of time in the evening depends on the child's age.
The weekend is one of the major differences between day and boarding schools. Most boarding schools have Saturday classes, but this is not common at day schools. Day children have to attend the Saturday classes.
Saturday classes are held in the morning. The afternoon is devoted to games, activities, and free time. The day children commonly stay for games in the afternoon, especially the older boys who are team memnbers. Other day children may also stay if they are interested in the afternoon activities. There are also excheats which allow the boarders to go hime for the rest of the weekend. Schools vary as to how often the children are permitted to go hime. Often a video is shown in the evening. Sunday is devoted to church in the morning. Most schools have some religious affiliation. There are a range of activities and freetime in the afternoon. Occassionally trips are organized in the afternoon.
