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AWAY TO SCHOOL
Often in Britain, it is parents who send their children to make a new home, away from home. At school.
For hundreds of years, "boarding schools" have played an important part in British life.
Not for everyone, of course; far from it. But boarding schools are part of middle class culture, especially in the south of England, where almost 30% of all 17-year olds in secondary schools are in fee-paying independent schools. In 2017, over 70,000 pupils in Britain were boarders
Many parents (and grand parents) save money for years, in order to be able to send their children to boarding school.
According to classic images, boarding schools are spartan places, with cold dormitories and strict rules; but the image is no longer true.
"I started boarding when I was 14," says William; "The worst thing about it was the first few weeks, when it was all new and strange. But now I feel much more independent.
I like coming home for hols, but I like it at school too. It's not like it used to be, with big cold dorms and corporal punishment! You've got to obey the rules, of course; but that's part of life!"
For young people who cannot "go away" to school, university offers the chance of breaking free.
While in many parts of Europe students tend to study at universities and colleges close to home, the British tradition is very different.
"I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go to college in my home town," says Tom. "One of the great things about going to university is that you get away from home! Universities recruit nationally, and when you apply, you usually apply to several different universities. You choose your universities for the courses they offer, not because they're near your home.
I go home to see my parents in the holidays, but that's all. As far as I'm concerned, I've left home now. I certainly wouldn't want to go back home at weekends! That's when everything happens!"