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Independent day & boarding schools
Applying to the right school
can be a challenging process, when that school is
in another country the process can become dauntingly
complex.
The two best pieces of advice, which can be given
to overseas parents, are not to leave choosing a
school until the last minute and not to insist upon
a school near London. There is a network of airports
throughout the UK and arrangements can always be
made for children to be met at Airports or terminals.
More important than location is the type of school
they have in mind. Should it be co-educational,
single sex, have a particular religious foundation;
should it provide special facilities for music,
dance, sports or drama? It is imperative to consider
the child’s academic and emotional needs bearing
in mind that the child will spend a large part of
every year within the chosen institution.
Overseas parents can find the task of trying to
choose a school a daunting one. Prospectuses give
an overall picture of a school but it is impossible
to get the ‘feel’ of a school from them.
Parents should make every effort to visit at least
two or three schools with their child before making
a decision. This can be difficult for some parents
but it does make the experience easier for their
child.
When applying initially, parents should send the
child’s details, copies of school reports
and level of English. Heads are reluctant to offer
a place unless they have some idea of a child’s
academic ability.
Term Dates.
The school year commences in September and is divided
into three terms. Winter term from September to
December; spring term from January to March and
summer term from April to July.
Schools.
Preparatory schools cater for children between the
ages of 7 and 13. Secondary schools c caters for
children between the ages of 13 and 18+.
Homestay option.
A homestay option is available for students wishing
to go to a Day School whilst living with a British
host family.
Entry.
The best age for overseas children to start school
is at about the age of 9 years in a preparatory
school and 11+ or 13 in a senior school. It is unwise
to send a child at 15+ because children of the same
age will be halfway through the two year GCSE (General
Certificate of Secondary Education) course. The
child will probably be placed in a lower class where
other children are a year or more younger.
Examinations.
The first public examinations are the GCSE’s.
UK students sit for these exams at the age of 16
after a two-year course.
Most schools admit overseas children into the sixth
form to study for their A (Advanced) levels. UK
students sit for these exams at the age of 18, again
after a two-year course.
Sixth Form Colleges.
An alternative to boarding schools is sixth form
colleges, which are specifically aimed at the older
student: the ages range from 16+ to 20-21. There
are some excellent residential colleges which are
run on similar lines to boarding schools but classes
are smaller and the students benefit form more individual
teaching.
English Language.
It can be an unhappy experience for a child to arrive
at school with little knowledge of the language.
Some schools will offer extra lessons in EFL (English
as a Foreign Language) and help the child, but children
are not suitable for secondary school education
unless they can understand the spoken word and can
read English text books.
It is wise to send the child to the UK to an English
Language School during the long summer holidays.
This is an excellent way to prepare the child. There
are a few residential schools, which offer intensive
English plus subjects such as mathematics, some
sciences, computer studies, art and music. These
schools offer a valuable service because children
can embark on these subjects even if their knowledge
of English is limited. At the same time they can
experience, in a slightly more protected environment,
a taste of boarding school life in the UK.
Weekends and holidays.
In addition to academic studies students take part
in an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities.
There is a full range of supervised activities at
weekends such as sports, excursions and theatre
trips. In addition to these, at exeat weekends
(free weekends) boarding students may wish to experience
living with their host family with whom they can
also spend half-terms. During holidays students
may return home, stay with the host family or join
in supervised activity holidays and school trips
abroad.
The British Education System
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age |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
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year |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
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Secondary |
Sixth
form
A levels |
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5-8
subjects GCSE’s |
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