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.
One aspect of our service we thoroughly enjoy is explaining all the culture, tradition and finer details of top UK boarding schools and what you can expect when you arrive. UK boarding schools are steeped in tradition and history and they have specific and unusual phrases to describe relevant parts of school life. We have put together a small list of the most commonly used phrases.
You will find top UK boarding schools may use some of the following phrases for different activities taking place in schools:
-
Prep - This is a word often used to describe homework. It is often one or two hours in length and part of the timetable
-
Activities - These are similar to classic ‘after-school’ clubs, but they tend to operate with a greater degree of resource, structure and routine. Quite often, one hour of activities will take place per day, students can usually choose their own.
-
CCF - Combined Cadet Force. This activity is usually available in addition to activities. Not all schools have a CCF. CCF programmes help develop soft skills and are often delivered by former members of the armed services.
-
Day student - This is a student who just studies during the day and they live and sleep in the local area.
-
EAL - Sometimes referred to as ESL, this is the ‘English as an additional language’ department. So if English is your second language, this will be relevant to you.
-
Sixth Form - This is the period of study between ages 16-18 and covers Years 12 to 13. Most often students will study either A Level, IB or BTEC during these years.
-
Housemaster/parent - Usually the senior teacher who is head of the house. They often live in an annex within the accommodation and are the main point of contact for pastoral support.
-
ISI - The Independent Schools Inspectorate, which is similar to Ofsted for the state sector. The ISI will regularly and formally inspect top UK boarding schools and report their findings for the public to consider.
These are just a small selection of sector specific words you may come across in your UK boarding school search. We recommend speaking to an experienced education counsellor who can help you familiarise yourself with these terms and why they may be relevant or important. 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 the best boarding schools in the UK that match your requirements and we are confident you will be pleased with the results.
Finding the right UK private school 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.
How we work:
