Modern boarding schools are relaxed and pleasant places for children to learn and develop. However, this new freedom does mean that boarders have to make more of their own decisions and puts a new burden of responsibility on their shoulders. This excellent book offers advice from a mother on how to prepare girls for their first experience of boarding school. It is ideal for parents who have decided that boarding is the best option for their girls and is a guide to preparing your daughter so that she is confident from the start and can get the most out of the opportunity she's been given. The book is based on extensive research and a sizeable archive of advice and anecdotes from a huge number of staff, girls and parents. The advice ranges from the very obvious to the rather more surprising, with anecdotes and verbatim comments from those who have been there. It will leave you and your daughter feeling better armed for what is ahead.
Victoria Davies Jones worked for twelve years as a producer and reporter for BBC TV/ Radio News. During her career she covered major events, such as 9/11, the Watford Junction train crash and the Channel tunnel opening. Her documentary work - recorded on a location during the Bosnian crisis - received a BT Press Award. To succeed in today's competitive world, Victoria believes that academic success is not enough: Young people need to be able to communicate and present themselves effectively. She has a daughter preparing to start boarding school in 2013.
Foreword: How this book came to be written Introduction Boarding for Girls: A brief history Chapter 1: The Decision to Board Advantages? When to start? Making the decision and points to consider Chapter 2: Choosing the School Preconceptions, research, different types of school, visiting, practical considerations, SEN, school philosophy, questions to ask. Chapter 3: Getting into Good Habits Organisation, personal care, what to pack, contacts, key skills checklist. Chapter 4: Preparing to Cope: the Early days Homesickness, puberty, sleep, food, tuck, friendships, problems: bullying, eating disorders, family crisis. Chapter 5: Communication First weeks, mobile phones, Facebook & Cyber bullying. Chapter 6: The Entrance Process Senior independent schools - time table, registration, pre-test, interview, conditional offer, exams/CE, final offer, scholarships, senior state schools, entrance at other times. Chapter 7: Preparing for interview and exams The interview, written exams, revision, coping with nerves, sample interview questions. Chapter 8: Preparing for the workload Coping without home support, communication with staff, support networks. Chapter 9: Boarding at different ages Flexi boarding, full boarding, homesickness in younger child, parent pressure, routines, bed wetting, Sixth Form Boarding, Advantages, Disadvantages. Epilogue: The first day
