Should you send your child to boarding school? Harrow and Li Po Chun share insights on the pros and cons
Once a European tradition, now boarding schools are expanding in Hong Kong and beyond, meriting a closer look at what these institutions offer
When it comes to educating their children, parents face so many choices it’s no surprise that the options can become overwhelming. There are different curricula to choose from, ranging from national options to programmes like the International Baccalaureate. Language is a consideration – is a single language of instruction useful, or would it be better to opt for a bilingual stream? Then there is the age-old question of day schools versus boarding.
Countries like the UK, the US and Switzerland have long and storied legacies of boarding schools and each year, many parents from around the world choose to send their children to be educated at these historic institutions. But Asia is also home to a growing number of boarding schools, giving students in the region the option of experiencing boarding school life while remaining closer to home.
A handful of schools in Hong Kong offer boarding facilities and arguably the two best-known names among these are Harrow International School Hong Kong and Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. The first is a local outpost of one of the UK’s foremost public schools and was established in 2012; the second, founded in 1992, is part of the prestigious United World Colleges network.
But what makes boarding an attractive option for parents and students? Some students thrive in the setting, but it may not be the ideal choice for every child. Here are some of the things to consider when making this critical decision.
A unique educational experience
Most educators agree that boarding schools offer a host of benefits that enable students to thrive. “Many pupils enjoy the fact they don’t have to get on the bus to come to and from school, which allows them more time to do their homework or to make the best use of the amazing facilities we have here at the school,” says Tom Hicks, principal deputy head, pastoral and well-being, at Harrow Hong Kong. “Many just enjoy spending more time with their friends, but [boarding] also allows them to access members of staff who might be able to help them with their extracurricular activities as well as subject-specific homework support.”
One of the most significant advantages of boarding school is that it gives students the best chance to strive for academic excellence. “[Boarding school] provides a more immersive educational experience, allowing for 24/7 engagement with academics, extracurriculars and social activities,” says Henri Behar, director of John F. Kennedy International School in Gstaad, Switzerland. In these immersive environments, students have a reliable structure for optimal learning, as well as more facilities and time for studying. In addition, students in these schools often benefit from smaller class sizes, more personalised attention and easier access to academic support when necessary.
Living away from home during such formative years also gives children the opportunity to learn independence and enjoy significant personal growth, two things that day students sometimes only really get the chance to experience later, such as when attending university. At boarding school, children are usually required to be more self-reliant than they would be living at home and, therefore, quickly learn valuable life skills such as time management, problem-solving and resilience. In helping students develop these skills, boarding school also instils essential attributes such as confidence and leadership.
Boarding schools also often offer greater cultural diversity because they attract students from across the globe and from different backgrounds. “[Boarding] forces pupils to learn to get along with a wide range of people, including those with whom they have little in common,” notes Paul Wickes, headmaster at Malvern College Hong Kong, who previously taught at Malvern’s prestigious boarding school in the UK. “This is an important life skill because in their professional lives they will have to work as members of diverse teams, and the ability to build successful teams with a variety of personalities will be crucial to their success.”
