Sending your child to a boarding school is a great way to give them a head start in life. Academic success rates are nearly always well above average, and the vast majority of pupils go on to study at university afterwards. Of the many options available, UK boarding schools are right up amongst the best. Why? Because they follow a proven curriculum and because those who attend are guaranteed to leave as fluent English speakers, which is a vital skill to have whatever career they wish to eventually pursue.
All boarding schools in the UK have to be registered with UK government education department, and are subject to minimum standards of facilities and teaching. These minimum standards are above and beyond those typically enforced in many other countries. You can find out particulars relating to a boarding school’s past results by visiting their website, and you can also find league tables on independent websites that rank schools on a range of performance factors.
Most of the courses in UK boarding schools work towards standard examinations, which ensures that qualifications are consistent and recognized. General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) are acquired at the age of sixteen and A-levels at the age of eighteen. It is also possible to study for the International Baccalaureate at many boarding schools. Having earned any of these qualifications, the holders of them will have no problems going onto further education or gaining employment, whether it be in the UK or elsewhere.
The best time for a child to start at a boarding school is at the age of eleven, which is when pupils in the UK start their secondary education. Older pupils are accepted, but the process of transition is easier when they are starting from the same point as their peers. Competition for places can be intense, particularly at the highest achieving boarding schools, and academic entrance tests must normally be passed. The academic year begins in September in the UK, so taking the entrance test at least six months in advance of that month is advisable.
Before making a final decision on which boarding school to choose, you should…
- Browse the website of each school and request a detailed prospectus from the ones you like best.
- Visit a few of the schools if it is feasible to do so.
- Talk with your child about what aspects of a school are most important to them.
- Find out what is included within a schools fees, and what is excluded.
- Find out if your child qualifies for any scholarships or grants.
Continue : Boarding School For Girls