Some of the comments on the channel 4 link make me want to puke. Theres some seriously soft people out there.

Trying being sent to a boarding school in England from Zimbabwe because your parents didnt think your country was a safe enough place to bring up children aymore.

My 3 cherubs are all in boarding school, and I love it!

What's the 8 year old rubbish? You lot need to man up I got sent off at 7 :D . I did however have two slightly older brothers sent off at the same time for company. I loved it. The Prep school was with hindsight just a big scam for getting forces parents to send their kids there, however I only stayed a couple of years before moving on to a school in deepest darkest North Devon. Played loads of Rugby, in fact the school PT was second to none, fantastic. Left at 16 to join up and couldn't of asked for a better time at school.

I had 9 different schools but my brother and sister benefited from boarding in comparison to me. They achieved better quals but the thing that struck me about a private education was the confidence that it instilled in them. It was apparent in all their friends too and to me that self confidence is as important, if not more so, than any academic advantage.

Having never been to boarding school myself, although I cannot imagine what it would be like to move out at 8- I think I would have enjoyed the chance to go. The oppourtunities, the independence, friendships and things would be amazing- and you see how adjusted the boy was by the time he got a little bit older, the girls seemed to adapt quite well too, except for the tears sometimes. Must have been hard for the mother though when her husband was deployed and of course her children were both boarding, but I bet it will be worth it when they look back in the future on what they gained from it.

Opinions vary!
Experienced life at two service dominated boarding schools.
The first was hell aged 8 onwards turned out to have been a grooming institution for the now convicted former head and several staff.
Second was uber regimented and indeed provided life skills. I'm no bleeding heart liberal but anyone remotely not on message at my second school was conditioned in a manner that would undoubtedly lead to criminal prosecution today. Not acceptable then or now.
Not something I would choose.
Having watched the documentary times have changed and though its not our choice, the school looked like a very well run establishment and the kids were very well cared for and the standards not only high but were way way better than ours back in the 70 & 80's.
Excellent to see competitive sports being played by all and staff pushing the kids to win!

Originally Posted by Speedy

At Stonyhurst College, not far from me they take children as young as 3!

http://www.saintmaryshall.com/index.shtml

Now that is sad :(

That's the Jesuits for you.

Originally Posted by frankie

Originally Posted by Speedy

At Stonyhurst College, not far from me they take children as young as 3!

http://www.saintmaryshall.com/index.shtml

Now that is sad :(

That's the Jesuits for you.

Especially with their motto;

'Give me a boy at the age of seven and I'll have him for life'. - St Ignatius

I was sent off at 6 and hated every minute of it. Some of the Masters were not fit to be in charge of children and/or young people. I remember that one Master beat the same boy every day until the Head Beak intervened.
Senior School was marginally better as one could spend more time away from the place. I worked on a local farm every chance that I could and that gave me a love of farming that has continued to this day - so perhaps it wasn't all bad

It has been fascinating reading this thread, and of the various experiences. Erm, I left home at 18, back in the jurassic period so as you can imagine I went to state school. My best friend left home at 10, with her trunk, for boarding school. Both of us have fared well in terms of further education, careers, and lifestyles, and we are still in contact although we live worlds away in geographic terms. I feel it comes down to the individual, what you make of things, how resilient you are as a person, and the environment you live in.

Just as a footnote, I didn't see the programme, being exiled to the colonies I don't get C4. I have to admit from the thread it must have been an interesting prog in the debate it has stimulated Out of interest, statistically speaking, how many military brats end up in the private school sector?