Boarding Schools in UK

Preparing for study in the UK

English language programmes

Pupils should consider attending a short English course before starting at a boarding school or college. Even if a school has offered a place, you must be realistic about the level of your child’s English. Can they write accurately about a complex topic in English? Can they speak fluently and join in a discussion with native speakers of English?

If they are not confident of their ability, an intensive English language programme before joining the school will be highly useful. Sometimes schools offer a place on condition that the pupil takes such a course.

The older the student, the more advisable it is to take a short course before joining boarding school or college. This is because such students need English for academic study in particular subjects, as well as to communicate more generally. Also, students taking GCSE or A-level exams need to have a high standard of English by the start of the course so that language problems do not affect their grades.

The British Council, through its Accreditation UK scheme in partnership with English UK, currently accredits over 560 UK private language schools, boarding schools, international study centres, colleges and universities. Accredited institutions are formally inspected by independent experts once every four years. Inspectors also make random and unannounced visits to such institutions.

Institutions must show that they have achieved and maintained high standards not only in teaching English but also in the care of the young people under their charge. You can find out more about the institutions accredited by the British Council under this scheme at www.educationuk.org/english or www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation. Your local British Council office and reputable local agents can also advise on suitable English language courses in the UK. (You can find details of your nearest British Council office at www.britishcouncil.org, and more on our British Council page.)

Visa nationals (students who require a visa to enter the UK) who are aged 17 or younger require a Tier 4 (Child) Student visa to study in the UK, which will cover the length of their studies.(See our visa page for more on studying in the UK.)

General study programmes

How can your child prepare for the study and teaching methods used in UK schools and colleges? They can either take a course in your own country before they leave, or enrol for one of the short programmes that are offered during the spring or summer holidays at UK boarding schools or international study centres. The advantage of taking a course in the UK, apart from the academic and recreation programmes, is that your child will have the opportunity to become acclimatised to the British way of life before the academic year begins. Look for a summer programme that is designed for students of the same age as your child and for their particular academic needs. A specialised course will offer leisure activities, sport and excursions, but should be relevant to the personal circumstances and needs of each student on that course. (You can find out more about holiday courses at UK boarding schools on our site.)

credit: http://www.ukboardingschools.com/