Figure 1.--Prep school children especially the boarders develop close personal friendships. The children spend a great deal of time together, more time in fact than with their families. Some friends if the begin in the prep prep may spend nearly 10 years together. |
Prep school students begin at about 8 years of age. Even younger children are involved in the pre-prep. Most boys finish at 13, although often girls leave earlier. Boarders live and go to school together, spending more time with each other than their own families. Not all children begin at 8 or stay until 13. But some children starting in the pre-ptep sprnd even longer times together. The children become very close, not unlike brother and sisters. They know each other probably better than anyone ever will. As a result the children become vet good friends. They share not only school and sports, but meals and free times. Children can be cruel to each other, but with rhe proper guidance vey positive, suportive relationships develop. This was not always the case in British boarding schools, but this has changed. We noted very friendly atmosheres at almost all the prep schools we visited.
I feel friendship between the walls,
I'm not sure who it's with,
Maybe Sam, maybe Tom, Bill or Tim?
It is probably Natt but how can I tell?
Frienship is an extrodinary thing,
You can have loyal friends.
You can have trustworthy friends
Pretend friends
Even ungrateful friends
But true friends are best.
James Goodley, 10 years, 7 months, JE, Surge (Beeston Hall), Autumn 1988.
