02/03/2026
Attended the Independent Schools Show this weekend and came away with some fascinating insights into how boarding is evolving post-VAT.
📉 Numbers are down slightly — about 5% — with around 65,000 boarders currently in the UK. Yet, schools are adapting fast: many are grouping together and cutting costs to stay sustainable long-term.
🌍 Almost 40% of boarders are international, with strong representation from China, Hong Kong, and Germany.
Interestingly, most start boarding in Sixth Form, seeing it as a bridge to university life rather than an early education choice.
✨ The ethos of boarding continues to shift — less about control, more about community. North American schools, for instance, are leading trends with first-name communication, no uniforms, and a more entrepreneurial environment.
🏫 What’s clear is that boarding today is evolving: older students, stronger family connections, and new standards ensuring quality and wellbeing. It’s no longer just a tradition — it’s a modern preparation for independence.
