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British Boarding Schools Face Decline
Developing
In Short: Sarah, a former housemistress at a small English boarding school, recently witnessed the closure of her workplace, a development that underscores a wider trend affecting British boarding schools.
Boarding schools have long been a staple of British culture, romanticized in literature and media from 'Mallory Towers' to 'Harry Potter.' They also serve as a cornerstone for the country's hereditary monarchy, with Prince George, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, starting at Eton this month.
However, the reality of boarding schools is more complex. British actor Johnny Flynn recently expressed a harsh critique, stating that private schools 'should be burnt to the ground' due to his own traumatic experience with bullying.
Sarah noted that unless there was a specific need, such as parents being in the military, it was challenging to find parents willing to send their children to boarding schools, particularly at younger ages.
On the other end of the spectrum, boarding schools have also been associated with scandal and abuse, further complicating their image and appeal.
What's still developing
- Sarah* had worked as a housemistress in a small English boarding school for four years when she learned the school was closing.