Choosing a UK Boarding School
The UK boarding school system can seem overwhelming at first, so let us give you some guidance on one of the most important parts of the application process…
Step 1: Knowing what’s best for your child
A child’s boarding school experience goes way beyond the classroom: it encompasses their mornings and evenings in the boarding house, their friendship groups, their involvement in school life, and even their ability to embrace the school values.
No matter what age your child is starting boarding school, their time there is going to form a significant part of their childhood. It’s therefore critical that you pay attention to the culture of different schools, and consider which environment would best match what you want for your child’s teenage years. In practical terms, this comes down to things like whether the school requires students to attend chapel, wear a uniform, participate in sports, or remain in the boarding house on weekends.
It’s also still very important that you think about what age is best for your child to start boarding. UK schools offer a range of options, including 8+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. Many Hong Kong families choose 13+, giving their child time to settle into their new school before starting their GCSEs, but there are advantages to each entry point and you should consider what your child, as an individual, would prefer.
Step 2: Starting your research
Depending on the schools you are wanting to apply to, and the age of your child, there are different timelines for registration and application. Top schools like Eton and Winchester require boys to be registered by the end of year 5 (the year they turn 10 years old), and many other prestigious schools start testing children in years 6 and 7 for students applying for year 9 entry. It’s best to start your research early, perhaps when your child is 8 or 9 years old, so that you can take a calm, well-planned approach and continue evaluating your options ahead of their entrance interviews and examinations.
The best place to go for primary research of the different schools is directly to their websites. UK school websites are excellent sources of information, often including images, videos and brochures which give you and your child some insight to what it’s like to live and study there.
Step 3: Narrowing down your choices
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential boarding schools through online research, the next step is to identify specific criteria that matter most to you and your child. For instance, you need to consider how to prioritise your preferences for:
· Single-sex or co-ed
· Full boarding or a mix of boarders and day pupils
· A-Level or International Baccalaureate (IB) at Sixth Form
The school’s location is also important. Even a full international boarder will need to return home for the holidays, so access to an airport, relatives or family friends might be something you need to consider. If your child is anxious about moving away from home, it could be really beneficial for them to have UK-based family or friends close by who are willing to have your child stay for a weekend every now and again. Likewise, as a parent you’ll want to visit your child and attend school events from time to time, so be realistic about which locations work best for your family.
Step 4: Visiting your prospective schools
We highly recommend planning a UK trip so that you can visit a selection of potential schools you’d like to apply to. This will give you first-hand experience for comparing the reality of the different environments, so that you are better equipped to decide which schools are the best options for your child. Another handy tip is to take a notebook with you, so that parents and child(ren) alike can record their first impressions of each school after their visit—you don’t want something like a rainy afternoon or a delayed train to dampen your memory of the day!
It’s a good idea to visit your prospective schools during term-time, so that you can see school life in full swing and meet both staff and pupils in person. For families visiting from Hong Kong, Chinese New Year and Autumn Festival are usually the best times to plan your trip.
Many UK schools also visit Hong Kong throughout the academic year, offering information sessions to parents which is a very useful way to find out more about them and establish your direct communication with them.
Step 5: Get some specialist support
We highly recommend meeting with a UK Schools Consultant to discuss your thoughts and findings on the best options for your child’s UK education. They will be able to explain the UK educational landscape in more detail, and give you some expert advice on how to navigate the next part of the process (registration, application, interviews, assessments).
It will also be useful for you to have an assessment of your child’s English, maths, reasoning and interview skills once you have registered your interest. This will allow you to gauge a better understanding of the application process (i.e. how many exams, for which subjects, scholarships available etc.) and determine any areas which need improvement ahead of the real assessments.
2024