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word usage - "In school" vs "at school"


I sometimes get confused whether to use in or at. For example,



Children were not at school yesterday, because yesterday was a holiday.


Children were not in school yesterday, because yesterday was a holiday.



Is there a rule of thumb to not confuse in and at?



Answer



Not really, 'in school' is perhaps more common American English while 'at school' is more British but both are equally 'correct'. Similarly an American would probably say 'in college' while a Brit would say 'at university'.


In tends to be used for institutions, so you are 'in hospital' rather than 'at hospital' but 'at home' not 'in home' - although you might be put 'in a home'


It's just one of those things!


edit: there is perhaps a slight subtle difference that 'in school' means they attend school - as opposed to having finished school, while 'at school' means they are there now.
So "are your children in school" = are they under 16 or 18 ? But "are your children at school" = are they at school today or are they at home.
(but that's from a BE perspective)


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