Figure 1.--Many prep schools are set in stately old manor house rather than purpose-constructed buildings. Many have wonderful grounds and gardens. This affects the atmosphere and tone of the schools. |
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Many prep schools have lovely grounds. As many were founded in old manor houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens which in many cases are lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. There are normally extensive games fields. Of particular interest to the younger children are undeveloped, often wooded areas where they can play. The boys in particular like to build forts and secret hideaways in their free time. The architectural design of British preparatory schools vary widely. Many utilize buildings that were not purpose-built as schools, although they have since added purpose-built buildings to the school campus. Many early preparatory schools were founded in rural areas using large manor houses that were then converted into school use. Prep schools vary greatly in the facilities they offer the children. Some small schools offer on the most rudimentary facilities. Some larger schools have extensive well-equipped classrooms, labratories, fine arts facilities, gyms, swimming pools, playgrounds, and games fields. In general there has been a major upgrading at many schools since the 1970s with the addition of new facilities and amenities.
The architectural design of British preparatory schools vary widely. Many utilize buildings that were not purpose-built as schools, although they have since added purpose-built buildings to the school campus. Many early preparatory schools were founded in rural areas using large manor houses that were then converted into school use. Over time in Britain, the owners of manor houses found it difficult to maintain the high cost of operating them, especially the cost of employing large staffs. Thus some of the homes and surounding grounds could be purchased for relatively small sums--less then building a putpose-built schools. The rural location allowed the schools to afford substantial grounds for sports and other recreational activities.
Many prep schools have lovely grounds. As many were founded in old manor houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens which in many cases are lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. There are normally extensive games fields. Of particular interest to the younger children are undeveloped, often wooded areas where they can play. The boys in particular like to build forts and secret hideaways in their free time.
Prep schools vary greatly in the facilities they offer the children. Some small schools offer on the most rudimentary facilities. Some larger schools have extensive well-equipped classrooms, labratories, fine arts facilities, gyms, swimming pools, playgrounds, and games fields. In general there has been a major upgrading at many schools since the 1970s with the addition of new facilities and amenities. The advent of easonably priced electronic equipment, especially video equipment and computers has had a major impact on prep school life.
The facilities are the most obvious feature of any school. Here the schools we visited varied considerably. Some had beautiful grounds and impressive facilities for sports, music, art, and drama. Other schoold had much more modest facilities. It is easy to be influenced by impressive facilities. These facilities are important, but probably not the most important factor. Here we tend to see the atmpsphere of the school and how well it fits in with the needs of the child may be more important than extendsive facilities. Even the facilties need to be thought out. Beautiful formal gardens may in fact be off limits for the children to play. Perhaps of more importance for younger children is more informal areas where the children can play and built forts--a particularly popular activity for boys. Also important is how well the facilities fit in with the interests and needs of a child. Elaborate games fields, for example, may not be very important for a child interested in music. Beautiful sports fields are impressive. The prospective parents, however needs to focus on the attributes of a school that are important for the development of their child. Childrenm of course differ widly in capabilitieds and interests and these meed to be carefully considered.
Not all private schools have beautifully manicuref grounds and elzborate fscilities. Many city schools do not have expansive grounds. Some do depednding on whdn they were founded, but many do not. Sopme may only have a small area which serves as a school play ground, but not for field games like cricket, football, and rugby. Purchasing the real estate needced for games fields and other facilities are now for most city schools entirely out of the question. Many schools were omce located in rural areas and have simce beemn engulfed by the suburbs. As a result, they have to rely on city parks and other municipal faclities for games and many recreational activities. This is not a major problem for the younger children, but it is for the older children, many of whom want to paricipate in the major sports. And many of the private senior (secondary) place considerable emphasis on sports.
