Contact details for a selection of organisations that will be able to provide you with further information about boarding schools, and about studying and living in the UK
General information
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA)
The Department for Education
Castle View House, East Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire
WA7 2GJ
Tel: +44 (0)870 000 2288 Fax: +44 (0)1928 794248
E-mail: www.education.gov.uk/contactus
Web: www.education.gov.uk
The UK Government department responsible for education and children's services.
The Independent Schools Careers
Organisation (ISCO)
St George's House, Knoll Road, Camberley,
Surrey GU15 3SY
Tel: +44 (0)1276 687525
Web: www.isco.org.uk
Provides information and advice on careers and higher education choices for pupils in ISCO-member schools.
The Independent Schools Council information & advice service
The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB)
The Pump House, 16 Queen's Avenue, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1BZ
Tel: +44 (0)1202 487538 Fax: +44 (0)1202 473728
E-mail: enquiries@iseb.co.uk Web: www.iseb.co.uk
Administers exams for pupils transferring to independent senior schools (at ages 11–13+).
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
CAP House, 9–12 Long Lane, London EC1A 9HA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7600 0100 Fax: +44 (0)20 7776 8849
E-mail: info@isi.net
Web: www.isi.net
ISI ensures high standards among ISC member schools by carrying out inspections every three years.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
Web: www.ibo.org
The IBO administers the International Baccalaureate in schools in 139 countries around the world.
The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS)
The State Boarding Schools’ Association (SBSA)
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
Tel: +44 (0)871 468 0468 or +44 (0)330 333 0230 (applications), or +44 (0)1242 222444 (enquiries)
E-mail: enquiries@ucas.ac.uk Web: www.ucas.ac.uk
UCAS receives and processes applications for undergraduate admission to UK universities and university-sector colleges.
Information for overseas parents and boarders
Accreditation UK
The Accreditation Unit, British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB
Tel: +44 (0)161 957 7489 Fax: +44 (0)161 957 7074
E-mail: accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation
The Accreditation UK scheme is jointly managed by the British Council and English UK, and accredits around 600 English language teaching establishments in the UK.
The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS)
The British Council
Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS)
English UK
219 St John Street, London EC1V 4LY
Tel: +44 (0)20 7608 7960 Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 7961
E-mail: info@englishuk.com Web: www.englishuk.com
The representative body of around 600 accredited UK English language teaching establishments, including language centres in universities, further education colleges, boarding schools and private language schools.
UK NARIC
Oriel House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire GL50 1XP
Tel: +44 (0)871 330 7033 Fax: +44 (0)871 330 7005
E-mail: info@naric.org.uk Web: www.naric.org.uk
The national agency that provides information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from over 180 countries overseas to the UK's national qualifications frameworks.
UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs
9–17 St Albans Place, London N1 0NX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7288 4330 or +44 (0)20 7107 9922 (advice line) Fax: +44 (0)20 7288 4360
Web: www.ukcisa.org.uk
UKCISA looks after the needs and interests of international students. Offers free information and advice to international students already in the UK, and to prospective international students around the world.
Special needs information
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
Unit 8, Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BW
Tel: +44 (0)845 251 9003 Fax: +44 (0)845 251 9005
Helpline: +44 (0)845 251 9002
E-mail: admin@bdadyslexia.org.uk
Web: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Offers information and help to families, professionals and dyslexic individuals.
Dyslexia Action
Park House, Wick Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HH
Tel: +44 (0)1784 222300 Fax: +44 (0)1784 222333
E-mail: info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Web: www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Carries out assessments of children and adults who may be dyslexic, provides tuition, trains teachers, develops teaching materials and conducts research into dyslexia.
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Unit 3, Floor 3, Radisson Court, 219 Long Lane, London SE1 4PR
Tel/textphone: +44 (0)20 7450 0620
Fax: +44 (0)20 7450 0650
E-mail: skill@skill.org.uk Web: www.skill.org.uk
Promotes opportunities for people with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment in the UK.
Specialist schools information
The Choir Schools’ Association (CSA)
The Information Officer, Windrush, Church Road,
Market Weston, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2NX
Tel: +44 (0)1359 221333
E-mail: info@choirschools.org.uk
Web: www.choirschools.org.uk
An association of 44 UK boarding and day schools attached to cathedrals, churches and college chapels.
Music and Dance Scheme
Web: www.dcsf.gov.uk/mds
Five music schools and four performing arts schools participate in the UK Government’s Music and Dance Scheme, which provides funding for exceptionally talented children to study at these schools.
Religious schools information
Church of England
Woodard Schools, Head Office, High Street,
Abbots Bromley, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 3BW
el: +44 (0)1283 840120 Fax: +44 (0)1283 840893
E-mail: www.woodard.co.uk/contact_us.htm
Web: www.woodard.co.uk
The largest group of independent Church of England schools in England and Wales.
Methodist
The Board of Management for Methodist Independent Schools, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 3723 Fax: +44 (0)20 7224 0702
E-mail: grussell@methodisteducation.co.uk
Web: www.methodisteducation.co.uk
An umbrella organisation for the 14 independent Methodist schools in the UK.
Quakers
The Friends Schools Joint Council, Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7663 1000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7663 1001
Web: www.quakerschools.co.uk
The website provides information about independent Quaker schools in England.