If you would like more information on this topic or to speak with us directly, please contact us on +44 7878 985564. We are available on the phone, via WhatsApp, or register on our homepage for a free consultation call.
The admission journey for the top UK boarding schools and top UK private schools can be a complicated process - there can be multiple assessments, interviews, timeframes and administrative stages to name a few. You will also find UK boarding schools all set their own individual admissions process, rather than a more standardised route you may find in other fields. Fortunately, our education experts can offer direct experience of the admissions process from the school side along with teaching experience to best help you prepare. Here is what you can expect in your admissions journey, particularly if applying from overseas.
When wishing to apply to a top UK boarding school, or one of the best UK private schools - it is always good to log your interest early with the most appropriate member of the admissions department, this is something we do on behalf of our clients. The initial documents the majority of schools will need to consider an application will be the following:
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One or two school reports
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A copy of the student’s passport
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A completed registration form
Some of the best British boarding schools may also request a reference, a personal statement or a birth certificate. These are the core administrative documents you should prepare, again, we recommend using an experienced counsellor to help with this, especially if they have top UK private school admissions experience - it will streamline your application.
Following receipt of those documents (in some cases a registration fee will be required) the next phase of the admissions cycle begins. This is where students will be invited for an assessment. The very best UK boarding schools and UK private schools will likely require a student to take an admissions test (which could incorporate Maths, English and/or non-verbal reasoning). Common tests are the CAT4 test and the UKiset test (for international students).
Be mindful that there are still some top UK boarding schools that will have less rigorous testing as this is a reflection of a less selective culture in the school. It is easy to make the assumption that less rigorous testing indicates a lower level of attainment, however, in some cases the opposite can be true. For students who have English as a second language, in nearly all cases they will have to take an English language test. All students, regardless of the UK boarding school, will also have an interview with a teacher or member of admissions as part of the process. Depending on the UK boarding school in question, some will be happy to progress on the strength of the interview alone. Again, this is where an experienced expert can provide the necessary guidance.
Finally, after all admissions tests and the interview has been completed, the UK boarding school will then make contact with your current school to request a reference. At which point, your application and admissions journey is complete and you can await the outcome. You should then receive an update in the days following completion, and if successful, you will be sent your official offer letter - which is a great achievement! The offer letter will then detail the next steps if you wish to accept.
If you are considering UK education but unsure where to begin, allow us to share our knowledge and experience we have with helping over 400 other families choose the best school for them. We can talk you through a suggested list of independent schools in the UK that match your requirements and we are confident you will be pleased with the results.
Finding the right private schools in the UK is a very important task and one that will shape your child’s future. We do not underestimate the importance of this decision and are confident that we can find the perfect UK boarding school for you and your child, based on your exact needs.
If you would like more information on this topic or to speak with us directly, please contact us on +44 7878 985564. We are available on the phone, via WhatsApp, or register on our homepage for a free consultation call.
This will enable us to schedule an appointment, where we look forward to speaking in more depth about your specific situation, and helping in any way we can. We look forward to helping you on this journey.
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