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.
Independent schools, including some of the best schools in the UK are often able to consider entry for multiple year groups. This is usually applicable to all year groups in which the school offers boarding for. For example, if a UK boarding school has boarding accommodation for ages 11-18, in all likelihood, they will be happy to consider your child for direct entry from as young as Year 7. Similarly, some schools with outstanding pastoral care offer boarding from the age of 7 (Year 4), quite often a case of a younger sibling joining an older student in the system.
It is worth keeping an open mind as to when you may wish your child to join the UK boarding system. There are plenty of excellent schools that will consider a boarding student for each year of entry from ages Year 4 to Year 12. With that in mind, there are a number of reasons why you may wish to consider joining a UK boarding school at a younger age.
One of the obvious advantages of joining a top UK school early is that the earlier you join, the earlier you can assimilate to the culture, philosophy and learning style. It also provides earlier opportunities to explore new interests through the outstanding range of extra-curricular activities available. For extremely talented students, the school may even be able to offer elite level coaching and high levels of competitiveness in a chosen field. As with many things, the earlier you engage the greater the rewards and positive impact on the student journey.
Secondly and especially for the more selective schools, there are often year groups which are often more competitive to secure a place at. Typically these year groups will be Years 7, 9, 10 and 12. Therefore, planning a little earlier could be an excellent way to experience a favoured school and join the community when there is less pressure and competition for places.
Thirdly, and particularly relevant to international students, joining a year or two earlier than initially anticipated offers the chance for a comprehensive and gentle induction into school life before the examinations become more formal and qualification assessments are taken. This is an especially popular option for those who have English as a second language, as the best schools in the UK will ensure a good proportion of the first year or two can help support English language acquisition, ensuring students are adequately prepared to cope with the rigours of the GCSE, A Level or IB programmes. It is an equally effective option for strong English speakers, as this time can be served as subject knowledge development and ensuring the academic foundations are in place for future success.
There could be any number of reasons why you may consider joining a top British boarding school one or two years earlier than intended. We speak to many clients who were simply not aware that schools would accept students to join in Year 6 or Year 8 for example. Furthermore, there is also the additional opportunity to further develop soft skills, which are a huge benefit of a boarding education. An extra year or two to build confidence, become independent, develop resilience, participate in team activities and form lifelong friendships are always welcome outcomes.
If you are considering UK education but unsure when may be the best time to begin your journey, 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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