Frequently Asked Questions
Why study in the UK?
The British education system has a global reputation of academic excellence and has produced some of the world’s most influential thought leaders, musicians, inventors and scientists.
Children are taught to be confident, well-mannered individuals, and are prepared for life, not just for exams.
Students are encouraged to be open-minded and to work hard across a broad range of subjects in order to leave school with a high level of achievement and the chance to earn a place at one of the world’s top universities.
Academic success is balanced with the physical demands of team sports. Music and the arts play an important role in nurturing individual creativity and expression.
Tolerance is learned from living in a boarding community, where lifelong connections are made with friends from around the world.
Most importantly, children are instilled with a genuine love of learning.
How to choose the right school?
There are hundreds of independent boarding schools in the UK, each with its own attributes, amenities and entrance requirements.
Some schools are highly academic, while others have a reputation for sporting prowess or gentle pastoral care. Many have exceptional music and drama departments, while others have invested heavily in state-of-the-art science facilities. Your child may be drawn to a school because it offers a particular extra-curricular activity of interest (e.g. horse-riding, sailing, rowing).
Newton Bright consultants visit schools frequently to maintain relationships with registrars and stay current on admissions criteria.
Our UK Student Assessment Course will identify schools that match your child’s abilities, interests and personality.
This course culminates in a professional assessment of the student’s academic ability and suitability for a private education in the UK.
Newton Bright students who wish to attend a UK boarding school will take part in this one-week assessment. The week will be timetabled with intensive private tutoring and interview practice during the day, sports coaching after lessons, family activities and mealtimes in the evening.
At the end of their stay, your child will undergo a thorough academic assessment and be formally interviewed by a former Headmaster, who will write a detailed report. The report will contain test results, recommendations for suitable schools, and advice on specific areas where your child might benefit from further preparation.
What is the right age to start school in the UK?
There are different points of entry depending on whether you want your son/daughter to attend a boys/girls-only school or a co-educational school.
- Boys only (Prep 7-13, Senior 13-18)
- Girls only (Prep 7-11, Senior 11-18)
- Co-educational (boys and girls) (Prep 7-13, Senior 13-18)
- University (18+) 3 or 4 year Bachelor degree
British families often register their children at birth for their school of choice. It is important to start the process early as it increases the likelihood of your child being offered a place.
Is my child suited to a British boarding school education?
The first step is to arrange an initial consultation with a Newton Bright educational consultant to discuss your educational goals for your child. They will give you an overview of the British system and the practicalities of sending your child to school in the UK. After meeting you and your child, and depending on your child’s age, academic ability, personality and level of English, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.
What are the different types of private schools?
- Day Schools – children go home every day
- Flexi Boarding – children stay at school 2/3 nights per week
- Weekly Boarding – children go home on weekends
- Full Boarding – children go home on exeat weekends and holidays
As an overseas boarder, your child will benefit from being in a full-boarding school where the majority of pupils stay in at weekends. Generally speaking, rural schools tend to have a higher percentage of full-boarders.
Why will my child need a guardian if they are boarding?
It is a statutory requirement for international pupils attending UK boarding schools to have an appointed guardian.
During short and mid-term school holidays, your child will stay with their guardian as part of the family and will participate in organised leisure activities.
During term time, their guardian will attend school meetings on your behalf and report back to your personal educational consultant.
Can we visit our chosen schools in the UK?
We arrange family visits to UK schools accompanied by one of our UK academic advisors, who will introduce you to staff members and ask relevant questions. To make the most of your visit, an interpreter can be arranged if required.
Will my child need a study visa to go to boarding school?
The UK government has different visa and language requirements depending on your child’s age and the duration of their stay. Our Moscow consultants have extensive experience of submitting visa applications and will be able to guide you once you have been offered a place.
Can you help with travel arrangements for my child to travel to the UK?
We arrange for children to travel as ‘unaccompanied minors’ on flights to London, where they will be met either by their guardian or by one of our verified taxi providers who will transport them to their school. Travel is one of the topics covered in our British school adaptation course.
This course teaches children what to expect when they start at their new boarding school.
When your child receives an offer of a place at school in the UK, they will probably feel excited and nervous at the same time. This course takes place during the week prior to term commencing, and will prepare your child for the transition to their new school.
The week consists of a mix of academic tutoring specific to their school syllabus, and immersion into British culture. A personal mentor will explain the daily routine at their school, and talk about the different roles of the houseparent, matron and guardian, and how to cope with initial feelings of homesickness. Your child will learn about school rules, extra-curricular opportunities, school uniform, British manners and behavioral expectations, food and mealtimes. They will hear success stories about other foreign students at their school, and learn ways to make friends with British children.
During the transition phase, we can arrange for an independent child psychologist to regularly meet with your child to address any concerns and provide extra support.