Advice to help you in your search for the right boarding school and how Metropolis Education can help
The UK is home to some of the finest independent schools in the world and, with careful research, you will find the right school to provide your children with an educational experience that they will cherish for the rest of their lives – whatever their age. The following information should help you to choose the right school from the many excellent – and very different – independent schools in the UK.
General decisions to make
You can narrow down the initial choice of schools simply by making a few early decisions on the following:
Co-education or single sex?
Many schools in the UK cater either only for boys or just for girls. Arguments abound for and against single-sex education, but the decision should be yours and your child’s. Would he/she thrive in a school without the distraction of the opposite sex? Or do you feel that, since life is co-educational, school should mirror that? Only you can decide which option would be the most suitable but do be sure to discuss the options with your child. This is a big decision and they need to feel included.
How many pupils are full boarders?
Most international pupils are full boarders, which means that they stay at school most weekends and enjoy a weekend programme of study, outings and activities and entertainment. It is important to check with the school how many of their pupils are full boarders and how many are weekly boarders (who stay at the school during the week and go home at weekends). A school with a full boarding house at weekends may mean a wider activities programme than a school with few weekend pupils. Check too that there is a good balance of nationalities in the boarding house, as this will ensure that, outside of lessons as well as during school time, English is the common language.
At what age should my child start boarding?
You should also think about the age at which you would like your child to start boarding. Children may board in a UK preparatory school (often known as prep school) from the age of seven or eight, although some may, under special circumstances, accept younger children. Prep schools are usually quite small and very family-orientated with bright, cosy shared bedrooms and lots of games and fun activities at weekends and in the evenings. At the age of 11 or 13 (or, in some cases, 12), pupils will transfer to a senior school where they may stay until the age of 18. Senior schools are generally larger and expect more self-discipline from the pupils.
In the UK, the cut-off date that determines a child’s school age is 1 September. Independent schools do not have to stick rigidly to this system, but, on the whole, they prefer to, as all kinds of school data are based on this date divide.
How much will it cost?
Boarding schools vary in their fees ranges, so it is useful to have a good idea of the amount you are prepared to pay before you start your search. In addition to fees, there will be costs for uniform, sports gear, trips and outings, individual music lessons and, for older pupils in public examination years, some course books. You should try to have a limit and then try to stick to it. (See here for more information about fees and funding.)
Specific factors
There is a boarding school in the UK to suit every child, so choose carefully to ensure that your child enters one that best suits their academic abilities, talents, support needs, personality, hopes and dreams. The best school for a child is not necessarily the most academic. Do not just choose a school from its position in the league tables. Children learn best in an environment where they are happy and can grow in confidence, and schools with demanding academic programmes will not be suitable for all. Once you have found several schools that meet your broad requirements, there are a number of other factors that will help you draw up a shortlist.
Environment – town or country?
There are good boarding schools in both towns and country areas. Many combine the beauty of historical buildings with excellent modern teaching facilities. Good road and rail links mean that transport to and from UK airports and railway stations is never problematic. Schools will arrange transport to correspond with flight times so your child is looked after from the moment they arrive in the UK until they leave for home.
What if my child has particular talents or strengths?
All boarding schools offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities and sport to keep boarders busy and happy. But just as traditions and ethos vary from school to school, some schools also have particular strengths. Some will specialise in a particular area, such as sport, music or performing arts. If your child has a special interest or talent, you may like to choose a school that has the best facilities and experience to nurture this talent. Some may even offer scholarships (a fees reduction for excellence) in a particular area.
Will my child be looked after well?
UK boarding schools offer high levels of care and security, which are even more attractive when parents are living overseas. As well as the first-rate pastoral care delivered by the staff looking after boarders on a daily basis, most good boarding schools belong to the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA).
ISC-member schools in England are subject to an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which examines not only academic standards and teaching, but also the quality of learning, the behaviour of pupils, the curricular and extracurricular activities, school buildings and resources, and many other factors. Since 1 September 2011, the ISI has also been responsible for the inspection of the boarding provision at ISC-member schools in England.
The education and boarding provision at ISC-member schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are inspected by the relevant national inspectorate (see here for more information).
What if my child needs help with English?
ISC-accredited schools provide extra lessons for non-native speakers of English, either in small groups or in one-to-one sessions. The number and frequency of these lessons will be decided when your child arrives in school, but you can be sure that they will receive an appropriate level of English language support from expert, specialist staff to ensure that they are able to take a full part in all areas of school life. Some boarding schools have international study centres for students from overseas, which prepare them for studying within the British education system. These centres offer teaching in small classes and all subjects and their staff are trained in teaching English as a foreign language.
Do I agree with the ethos and traditions of the school?
Ethos and traditions of schools vary enormously. In some, children may call staff by their first names, wear no school uniform, plan their own curriculum, and opt out of team sports or acts of worship. In others, tradition dictates that pupils are called by surnames, special uniforms are worn for formal occasions, everyone learns Latin, and representing the school team or membership of the chapel choir is the most important personal achievement outside the academic curriculum. However, most schools fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
Starting age and selection
Selection is a two-way process, in that schools have just as much interest in selecting the pupil as the family has in selecting the school. However, it is wise to apply to your chosen school as early as possible since some may have waiting lists.
Preparatory school entry
Many parents choose Year 5 (age 9+) as the best age to start prep school boarding. This is often when pupils begin to be grouped by ability. Entry at 9+ will also give your child an opportunity to get used to different study habits before either the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests (also known as SATs) at the end of Year 6 (age 10+), or the Common Entrance exams at 11 or 13 for those moving on to a senior school.
Senior school entry
Year 7 (age 11+) or Year 9 (age 13+) are the usual entry points, although places may sometimes be available in Year 8 (age 12+) and Year 10 (age 14+). Year 10 is a vital point in most schools, as two-year GCSE courses (or National qualifications at some Scottish independent schools) start at the beginning of this year and usually involve some kind of continuous assessment.
Most schools do not accept Year 11 (age 15+) pupils, unless they are moving from a compatible GCSE programme elsewhere, since the curriculum and examination boards rarely match from school to school. Pupils could join either a Year 10 class with 14-year-olds to follow a two-year course to GCSE or, in some schools, a special one-year foundation class for international students, where they will be prepared, as much as possible, for a place on an A-level course.
Secondary schooling in Scottish state schools starts at age 12+ (S1 in the Scottish year numbering system), rather than 11 or 13. Some Scottish independent senior schools follow this system and accept pupils from the age of 12, while others follow the English system.
Sixth-form entry
Years 12 and 13 (ages 16+ and 17+) are usually for those who have qualified for A-level entry. In Scottish state schools, pupils in S5 and S6 (ages 16+ and 17+) take Highers and Advanced Highers, and some Scottish independent schools offer these exams.
Some schools will offer a one-year foundation course that will prepare students from outside the UK for a two-year A-level course or allow them to gain the necessary sixth-form entry qualifications. Some schools offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the Cambridge Pre-U as an alternative to A-level, while some offer both.
What happens next?
Once you have considered the points in this article, you are ready to draw up a shortlist of schools that meet your requirements. Use the in-depth school profiles on this website (www.ukboardingschools.com) to find out more about ISC-member boarding schools and then telephone, write to or e-mail those schools you are interested in. You should include details of your child’s name, age, date of birth, nationality, religion and desired starting date. You should also mention the schools attended by your child, with dates, details of any public examinations passed and a copy of his/her latest report. It helps too to mention the child’s special talents or interests. The school will then send you a prospectus or DVD, which will give you a flavour of the school.
The new school year typically starts in September so it is preferable for new pupils to arrive then. However, schools with places will often accept pupils in non-examination years at other times during the academic year. They are more willing to do this for younger pupils than older pupils. The year is divided into three terms – September to December; early January to late March; and late April to early/mid-July.
Personal appointments and open days
If you are able to come to the UK to visit the school, you may arrange a personal appointment to see the Head or you can attend an open day. It is the Head who determines the whole ethos of a school, but the day-to- day responsibility for boarding lies with the housemaster/mistress. These are the people who look after the needs of boarding pupils. During your visit you should meet both the head and the housemaster/mistress and should ask to be given a tour by pupils. This will give you a chance to ask questions about daily life, receive honest answers and get a feel for the school. The advantage of visiting on an open day is that you can meet teachers and pupils, ask more questions and explore the school’s facilities in more detail and get a better feel for the place. The disadvantage is that you will, almost certainly, not be seeing the school on a normal, working day. Please do, therefore, try to rebook to visit during the working week for an individual tour.
Helpdesk service
Need help to narrow down your shortlist of boarding schools? Call the UK Boarding Schools Helpdesk on +44 (0)20 8253 4613 or email boardingschools@metropolis.co.uk for free and impartial advice from our team of Educational Consultants, who will also be able to contact schools on your behalf and arrange for prospectuses to be sent out to you.