<p>I'm applying to UK private schools at the moment for my last two years of high school, and I've worked out what I'm going to do for most of my schools; two are day and another too far to commute, so I'll apply for 5 day boarding. The final school is Westminster, located in central London. It would be one to one and a half hours commute each way, which seems like a lit, but I'd be taking the train so I'm not inconveniencing my parents and I'd probably be able to work whilst travelling. I'd also feel bad boarding when my dad and about half my town commutes to that area for work each day.
I'd be 6 day boarding, which would cost my family an extra £9000 a year ($12000?) which is quite a lot for us, but it is only for two years. I just can't decide whether this is worth not wasting this much time every morning.
Does anyone have any advice or experienced this themself? I'd like to see the school and try the route out a few times before I decide, but the application has to be done soon, although I am going very close to the route tomorrow for the Olympic triathlon, so I'll have an idea of what it'll be like.</p>
<p>I'm sorry the post is a little disorganised, thanks for any help :)</p>
<p>2-3 hours a day spent commuting seems like a lot for a student. Whilst your adults in your town do this commute everyday for work, adults generally don’t have assigned homework after business hours (yes, I realize they have domestic chores at home). If you have after-school activities which necessitate leaving school later and taking the train home during the evening rush hour, how realistic is it to get much homework done on a crowded train?</p>
<p>Aside from the impact the lengthy commute might have on your academic performance, consider what it might have on the social interaction with your classmates. At my S’s BS, the day students are a bit socially isolated.</p>
<p>Maybe call the school and ask if anyone has done the commute before. They might put you in touch with a student who did it or be able to speak to the problem in general. Usually people in admissions are very nice and helpful.</p>
<p>My family always has to worry about costs too, so I know it can be hard. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I agree - definitely speak to the school about this. Ask if other students have done a similar commute - and ask the school admissions office if they think it’s a reasonable commute to undertake. The school might feel very strongly that it isn’t reasonable. . . . or they might say it’s just fine.</p>
<p>I would talk to the school and find out what kids there do and if the school has a recommendation. Some kids do that kind of commute to day schools, so it is not unheard of or unreasonable. However many boarding schools I have seen have a small radius for day students. Because of evening /weekend activities they restrict the distance for day students.</p>
<p>The commute would be about an hour and a half, and Ive decided that it’s too much to do 6 days a week on packed commuter trains. Most of the students, including boaders, live in or around London, so I won’t be out of place. </p>
<p>My mum isn’t happy with me boarding at all, bringing me back to the same problems I had with prep schools the last two years, but she said it’s my decision, and she isn’t going to force me either way. But that’s another issue altogether!</p>