FOR many parents sending their child to boarding school would not only be financially impractical, but emotionally unthinkable.

To be parted from your offspring, not providing their day-to-day care, is something a lot of people would not even contemplate.

I have heard it said many a time: "If you're going to have children, why pack them off for someone else to look after?" One psychologist even claimed recently in a national newspaper that "boarding schools are a peculiarly British form of child abuse".

But a visit to any of Worcestershire's eight independent boarding schools gives a completely different picture. The pupils are happy, inspired and well-educated. There is certainly no evidence that the youngsters are "vulnerable or insecure", as psychologist Julia Noakes suggested in The Times.

At Malvern College, one of the county's oldest and most traditional boarding schools, the students are enthusiastic about their experiences.

"I much prefer boarding to day school," said 17-year-old Emma Lawrence, who has been at boarding school since the age of 13. "You don't miss out on anything at all. In fact, it is quite the opposite, because you are with your friends all the time. My family live in Gloucestershire so I get to see them at weekends. I do miss them but I don't miss being at home."

And Rachel Simpson, also 17, added: "Before I came here I was at a day school but I much prefer boarding. It's a lot more fun. People think you don't get to go out or do the things that you would be able to do if you lived at home, but that's just not true."

The stereotypical Dickensian image of boarding schools - the horrors of Dotheboys Hall in Nicholas Nickleby - are all a thing of the past. Gone are the cold showers, long runs and lumpy mattresses. And even the fictional exploits of Harry Potter's Hogwarts give an entirely false, although fun, picture of the reality. Now the schools are havens for young people with outstanding facilities, endless choice of activities - and even the food is top quality.

"I have boarded since I was about seven or eight years old," said Malvern College student Megan Lister. "My dad is in the Navy so it was the only way for me to get a consistent, good education. My big brother was also at Malvern College and my little brother still is.

"We all love being here. I get my own room, in a lovely big house. I get to spend lots of time with my friends. I can go out if I want to - really all the things any other person my age can do."

Julia Noakes' argument in The Times suggested that men, particularly, who are educated at boarding school become "uncomfortable in relationships and ill prepared to be business leaders".

But Daniel Goldblatt, aged 18, and Richard Webb, 17, both students at Malvern College, rubbished the claims. Both are excelling at the school and expect to have successful careers later in life.

"Boarding school prepares you well for life," said Daniel, whose family lives in South Africa. "It teaches you respect for other people, gives you independence and all of the skills needed in life. So many people think that you are isolated, but it's a myth.

"You learn how to interact with many other people; you learn tolerance; and of course you get a first class education."

Richard added: "I think this psychologist is completely wrong. Perhaps things were different in boarding schools many years ago."

Boarding schools have transformed in the past 20 years. Much more care is taken of pupils and there is a rigorous inspection routine. Dr Sarah Welch, acting head at Malvern College, said the emphasis was on pastoral care, ensuring that the students not only left with a top education but as well-rounded individuals.

"Boarding schools today are an awful lot different to 40 years ago," she said. "People's perceptions are so often stuck in the past.

"Things are just not that way any more. The focus is on pastoral care and ensuring every student is well cared for emotionally."

But boarding school is certainly not for everyone - even if you can afford the average £16,000 annual fees.

Parents have to ensure their child and the school are well-matched and that the child has some part in the decision-making process.