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Independent British Boarding Schools in the UK
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 Boarding 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 Boarding 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 academic 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 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 their education in an English Boarding 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
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11
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12
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13
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14
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15
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16
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17
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year
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7
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8
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9
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10
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11
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12
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13
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Secondary
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Sixth form
A levels
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5-8 subjects GCSE’s
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