How do British boarding schools combine development and fun?
Something many of our clients are looking for is development – for their young people to gain confidence and independence during their time in the UK. Fortunately, our British boarding schools combine development and fun in many ways – sport, CCF, academic competitions, school trips and outdoor pursuits. What could be more fun than taking part in adaptations of popular TV series Lost and Hunted, which is exactly what Malvern College offers.
For the Lost challenge, 11 teams of two Year 10 students (plus a staff member chaperone) are dropped 50km away from school in various directions and the pair that arrives back at school first are crowned winners.
All pupils are fitted with trackers, so the team at HQ can follow their progress as they walk, bus, train or share lifts back to Malvern. The leading teams kept exchanging places, while others fell foul of public transport, and the eventual winners were Tara and Olivia from House No 8, who played a flawless strategic game. Hot on their heels (and never wanting to visit Worcester Parkway train station again!) were House No 2 and third home were House No 6.
The House No 2 boys improved on this second place a week later in Hunted. Whereas the goal of Lost is to move the furthest distance in the shortest amount of time, Hunted requires the 11 teams of Lower Sixth pupils to evade capture and stay hidden for 24 hours, while trying to reach an extraction point.
Changes of clothing, misdirection, camouflage and holding one’s nerve were some of the tactics employed to dodge the Hunters. Three teams managed to outwit and outlast the sniffer dogs, drones and hunting staff. Congratulations to House No 2 for the win and a commendable, close-run second place to House No 1. Although unable to get to the extraction point, well done to third place House No 8, who nevertheless managed to remain undetected.
The pupils pay an entrance fee to take part in these challenges to raise money for their House’s chosen charity. Rules dictate that the winning House collects all the monies raised, resulting in a healthy donation for their charity. Winning Lost, together with other fundraising initiatives throughout the year, saw House No 8 donate over £4300 to Guide Dogs for the Blind. Winning Hunted allowed the House No 2 boys to donate over £3300 to Tom’s Trust, a charity that supports families of children with brain tumours.
If you would like your child to experience how British boarding schools combine development and fun, while also promoting philanthropy, please contact me to start the process.
