As Westbourne House continues to develop and evolve, I am struck not only by how different boarding is now in comparison to what I – and perhaps you – remember, but
also by how little some of the fundamentals have changed.
Modern boarding is about many things, not least the relationship between the school, the boarder and the parents being a fundamental piece in the jigsaw. Gone are the days of dropping your child off on the first day of term, picking them up on the last and not really seeing or hearing from them in between. Flexi-boarding now ensures that children are able to enjoy the benefits of a boarding experience whilst maintaining a healthy family life.
Gone are the outdated facilities. At Westbourne House, we are very proud of our two brand-new boarding houses (Orchard Lodge and Pear Tree Lodge), which are
comparable to the sort of accommodation you could expect to see at a senior school; Shopwyke House has a fantastic new purpose-built Common Room; Middle Lodge has a re-designed snug with kitchenette; Main House has undergone various updates over recent years, with new bathroom facilities and a newly-converted snug for the boarders to enjoy.
However, the reason children want to board, and the lasting benefits of boarding at Westbourne House have remained a constant - and it isn’t about new bathrooms or the
size of the television. It is about forging relationships with those around you (both peers and teachers), learning to become more independent in both your academic endeavours and your personal organisation and, if we’re being entirely honest, above all, it is about having fun with your friends.
Additionally, the Old Westbournians amongst you will be pleased to know that old boarding traditions die hard. From the annual lighting of the bonfire, boarders’ feasts and
the ever-revered tuck to the more recent addition of Wednesday night barbecues, the more traditional side of the boarding community at Westbourne House is thriving.
We are very lucky at Westbourne House to be blessed with parents who fully support their children’s wishes to board. The ‘new look’ of boarding, and the flexibility offered,
really does provide the children with a wonderful and safe home away from home.
Over the next few installments of this newsletter, I will delve a little deeper into the principles of boarding at Westbourne and explore the benefits that children gain from
being part of this community.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.