UK Boarding Schools Admissions

Boarding School Admissions

Boarding in the UK for a World-Class Educational Experience

In order to give back to current students from Chinese and overseas families, Tutor Impact will provide free access to UK education services without any intermediary fees. We will offer students the best choice of boarding schools in the UK according to their needs and abilities, including the renowned “Clarendon Schools”.

The number of international students studying in the UK from China and other countries is increasing. In the past, most students only chose to go to university or undertake postgraduate study in the UK. In recent years, however, more international students have started attending British sixth forms (A-Levels), secondary schools (GCSEs), and even primary schools. The major appeal for parents sending their children to British schools is the high quality of education their children receive under the British system. The attraction of a high quality of British education is responsible for drawing growing numbers of international students to the UK. In response to the growing educational demand from overseas, British schools are increasingly welcoming towards international students and accommodating of their needs. International students are predominantly encouraged to come to the UK at the ages of 11, 13 or 16 because at these ages it is possible to transition into the British education system seamlessly.

The UK is home to numerous boarding schools, 2500 of which are boarding or semi-boarding private schools. Private schools in the UK are also known as "independent schools" because they are not subject to the same government regulations as state-funded schools. Confusingly, however, private schools can also be referred to by the term “public schools”, but this is not to say that private schools are funded by the British government! Private schools, unlike state schools, are not government funded. Instead, private schools rely on non-state sources of funding, and require their students to pay tuition fees, which are usually in the region of £30,000 to £40,000 per year.

Each year, many families in Britain send their children to private boarding schools in the hope of securing the best possible education for their children. In the UK, there are about 615,000 boarding school students, which accounts for 7% of the total number of children in the UK, and 18% of the total number of students over the age of 16. In traditional boarding schools all students study and live together in the school, and are known as “boarders”. In semi-boarding schools, however, only some of the students board.

What is Private Schools ?

Why are private schools so popular with the British? Because their educational achievements are obvious: Between 2015 and 2017, 34% of the total number of university application for Oxford and Cambridge came from private school pupils, and 42% of all Oxbridge places were awarded to applicants from private schools. Private schools are also steeped in success and history, often with many outstanding alumni bringing considerable renown to these institutions. Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, Kate Middleton, and Benedict Cumberbatch are just a few notable examples.

Private schools benefit from greater independence when it comes to teaching. Teachers are freer to inspire pupils by teaching beyond the scope of traditional syllabi, and private school pupils are subsequently more engaged with lessons and passionate about the subjects they study, which translates into greater academic achievements. Private schools also benefit from a better teacher-student ratio (typically 9 students in a class), more contact time for students (including lessons on Saturday mornings), and state-of-the-art facilities that enable students to get involved in a great diversity of enriching extra-curricular activities and competitions. In addition, private schools, compared to many state schools, attach greater importance to traditional subjects such as mathematics, classics and modern languages, and privately schooled students consistently outperform state-schooled students in these academic subjects. British private schools may therefore be slightly at odds with the traditional views held in China surrounding Western education.

The Prestige of Private Schools

A GUIDE TO BOARDING SCHOOLS IN THE UK

Why choose a UK Boarding school?

UK boarding schools are known for their premium quality education as well as preparing its students for university and future challenges. The UK being home to a diverse ethnic, cultural and international population provides a perfect platform for students’ all round development. The boarding school is a residential school where pupils live and study during the school year. There are approximately 500 boarding schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Boarding schools in the UK host a mix of students including international and local students. International students usually live at the school whereas the local students, also called the “day pupils”, live with their families in the UK. The schools close their operations during the summer and winter holidays allowing children to return to their respective homes.

Life at a boarding school

The boarding schools in the UK are of three types; namely girls school, boys school and coed school. The coed schools provide separate accommodation for girls and boys. The accommodation facilities range from shared dormitories to private rooms. Most accommodations have common rooms with a range of indoor facilities such as televisions, reading areas etc. where students can socialise and relax.

Accommodation structure and facilities

In the UK, there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE), and Higher Education (HE). Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. FE and HE are not compulsory.

Early Years (3-5 years old): nursery and reception in primary school
Primary (4-11 years old): Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2)
Secondary (11-16 years old): Key Stage 3 (KS3) and GCSE
Further Education (16+): A-Level and other training/vocational courses- Can be taken at secondary schools or six-form colleges
Higher Education (18+): University - undergraduate and postgraduate courses

5 Levels in the UK Education System

This list is primarily based on A-Level results.

Eton College
Charterhouse
Harrow School
Winchester College
Westminster School
Rugby School
Shrewsbury School
Merchant Taylors' School
St. Paul's School

Top 9 Leading Public Schools

How to apply for a boarding school in the UK

There are private and state funded boarding schools. Applications to the private schools are to be made directly through the school website. The applications to the state schools are to be made through the UK government website.

The tuition and accommodation charges vary for each school. The state funded schools usually provide free tuition but accommodation charges are to be paid. For private schools, tuition and boarding charges are to be paid. The boarding charges usually include accommodation, food, and laundry. There are a number of private and state funded scholarships which students can apply to fund their education.

Lastly, most schools require the students to take an entrance exam or English language course to meet the entry requirements. However, the requirements vary for each school, so it is advisable to check the individual requirements for each school you are applying to.

1. Do Research for your child's favourite schools (by GCSE/ AL grades, leavers' destination, sports facilities, school support and guidance, extra-curricular activities, day or full boarding etc.)

2. Visit Schools Open Days and Taster Days

3. Make School Application before deadline (from September of the year before entry, Deadline is often before Christmas. But for some competitive boarding schools may require you to apply two years in advance)

4. Prepare Well For Entrance Exams and Interview ( 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+), you can also apply for scholarship exam in some schools. ( usually happens in Spring term before entry), International Students are required to take the English exam or enrol the English Language Course before or after entry.

5. Offers and Acceptance will be made before summer term before entry.

6. Apply for Students Visas and Find a Guardianship which is accredited by AEGIS (Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) or BSA (Boarding School Association)