Why Boarding Schools Are Still Popular in England and Australia
Boarding schools are educational institutions where students live on campus during the academic year, usually sharing dormitories with their peers and supervised by staff members. Boarding schools have a long history in England and Australia, dating back to the medieval times and the colonial era respectively. Despite the changes in society and education over the centuries, boarding schools are still popular in these two countries, attracting both local and international students who seek a high-quality and holistic education. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia, and how they compare to other types of schools.
Academic Excellence
One of the main reasons why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia is their academic excellence. Boarding schools typically offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum that prepares students for university and beyond. Boarding schools often have smaller class sizes, more individual attention, better facilities, and more qualified teachers than other types of schools. Boarding schools also offer a wide range of subjects, including languages, arts, sciences, humanities, and sports. Boarding schools often have high standards of academic performance and achievement, and their students regularly score well on standardized tests and exams. For example, according to Fortune Education’s list of the world’s leading boarding schools of 2023, 13 out of the top 20 boarding schools are located in England or Australia [1].
Personal Development
Another reason why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia is their emphasis on personal development. Boarding schools aim to educate the whole person, not just the intellect. Boarding schools provide students with opportunities to develop their character, leadership, resilience, independence, creativity, and social skills. Boarding schools also foster a sense of community, belonging, and responsibility among students, who learn to live and work together with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Boarding schools also encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, societies, sports, music, arts, volunteering, and service learning. Boarding schools often have a strong pastoral care system that supports students’ well-being, health, safety, and happiness. For example, according to SMAPSE Education’s ranking of the best boarding schools in Australia for international students, 5 out of the top 5 boarding schools have special recognition in areas such as care, community, learning support, music & arts [2].
Global Perspective
A third reason why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia is their global perspective. Boarding schools attract students from all over the world who bring their diverse experiences, knowledge, and views to the school community. Boarding schools expose students to different cultures, languages, religions, and values that enrich their learning and broaden their horizons. Boarding schools also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the globalized world by developing their intercultural competence, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and adaptability. Boarding schools often have partnerships with other boarding schools or educational institutions around the world that allow students to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, or participate in study abroad programs. For example, according to College Work Guide’s research paper on why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia [3], boarding school graduates are more likely to pursue higher education or careers in international fields than other school graduates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia because they offer a high-quality and holistic education that prepares students for their future endeavors. Boarding schools provide students with academic excellence, personal development,
and global perspective that set them apart from other types of schools. Boarding schools are not only places of learning but also places of living where students grow intellectually,
emotionally,
socially,
and culturally.
Works Cited
[1] Fortune Education. “World’s Leading Boarding Schools in 2023.” Fortune.com/education/boarding-school-guide/leading-boarding-schools/. Accessed 12 Sep 2023.
[2] SMAPSE Education. “TOP-5 boarding schools in Australia for international students.” Smapse.com/catalog/australia/boarding-school/. Accessed 12 Sep 2023.
[3] College Work Guide. “Why boarding schools are still popular in England and Australia.” Collegeworkguide.com/why-boarding-schools-are-still-popular-in-england-and-australia/. Accessed 12 Sep 2023.
[4] Wikipedia contributors. “Boarding school.” Wikipedia.org/wiki/Boarding_school/. Accessed 12 Sep 2023.
