Preparing to Attend Boarding School in the UK

What to Expect in the First Weeks as an Overseas Student in the UK

New international students are encouraged to arrive a few days earlier than the rest of the students. Arriving earlier gives students enough time to settle into the boarding school, make new friends, and get used to the new environment with an unfamiliar lifestyle. Each boarding school has an induction programme or procedure where new overseas students are shown where everything is located. They’re also reminded of the school rules and directed where they should seek help and support if they encounter any problems.

Some boarding schools invite new international students during the summer period before they join the school. In addition, some schools offer an immersion term, this is where students attend the school for one term prior to their full-time education. This way, students get an opportunity to experience school life and interact with the current students. International students in UK boarding schools typically live alongside British students, a move that encourages students from different nationalities and cultures to interact, share mealtimes, compete in fun house events and extracurricular activities.

Pastoral Care for Overseas Students

Boarding school staff in the UK have a vast amount of experience in supporting and looking after overseas students. Those in charge of boarding houses (also called houseparents) are responsible for students’ overall pastoral care and most other aspects of boarding life. Each boarding house is normally looked after by a House mistress/master & matron, who ensure that the day-to-day running of the house is smooth, the students are comfortable and well looked after.

In addition to the pastoral care provided by staff, school prefects are required to look out for the welfare of the younger pupils as part of their duties. Alongside this, once student’s have made a few good friends in the boarding house and wider school, they will naturally act as a support network for each other.

Academic Support for Overseas Students

All students are assigned a tutor who meets the students regularly and monitors their academic progress. Overseas students that have not been to a British or international school in their home country will be unfamiliar with the UK’s learning style and teaching methods, having a tutor helps them adapt and provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, especially about things they find strange. For example, in the British education system, teachers not only present information to the students, but they also help to develop and guide the students’ ability to express themselves and seek out answers – this may not be the case in the student’s home country.

Overseas students with limited English are often concerned about struggling to learn when being taught in English dialect and text. To ensure this isn’t an issue, schools assess all international students whose first language is not English, which helps them know whether extra tuition on the English language is necessary. British boarding schools normally offer additional English language support for students – through a dedicated ESL (English as a second language) department either as part of the main course, a foundation programme or an intensive English course prior to starting the main course and / or during.

Meals Offered in British Boarding Schools

For overseas students, the move to a UK boarding school doesn’t just involve being away from parents, it’s also a move to a new country with new food, and that requires adjustment. British boarding schools offer a great selection of dishes, usually at least three options per meal time of breakfast, lunch & dinner. Meals are typically taken in a dining hall or canteen. All schools can cater for vegetarians, kosher, and several other dietary requirements. In addition to the prepared meals, boarding schools have a small kitchen in the boarding house area, where students are allowed to prepare their own drinks and snacks. Some schools also have snack bars, tuck shops or cafés where students can get refreshments.

Even though the UK cooking style might differ from what most international students are used to, students are allowed to bring their own foods/snacks from home. Having some foods from home helps reduce homesickness and enables new students to settle in faster. However, parents need to be aware of what food is accepted into the UK by reading this guide.

Staying in Touch and Student Pocket Money

With the evolution of technology, it’s easier for overseas students to stay in touch. Boarding schools allow students to stay in touch with their loved ones through a combination of video calls, phone calls, email and instant messenger. Other schools permit their students to have their own phones, particularly older students, but there are specific rules put in place as when phones can be accessed. Parents are allowed to contact their child’s houseparents directly and check on their children as often as they wish.

In terms of students’ pocket money, older students can open a UK bank account if they wish. However, for the younger pupils, their pocket money is kept safely in the house bank by the houseparents. Houseparents will help the younger students manage any allowance they receive. It is worth noting that students in UK boarding schools don’t always need pocket money because the schools provide everything from food, entertainment, recreation, and any other optional extras like outings, new uniform and additional sports equipment will be billed directly to the student’s school fee account.

Items to Pack for a UK Boarding School

Every boarding school has its own joining instructions for new students. Students are given a comprehensive list of all the essentials they’ll need in school. Some of the mandatory requirements in the packing list include school uniform, sports kit, and other school equipment like a scientific calculator. However, while schools provide a list, there are lots of other items that some schools may omit. Don’t worry though we’ve written a two-part guide to help boarding school students pack everything they need! Click the links below to find out more:

• Our top tips when packing for boarding school
• Ultimate boarding school packing checklist

Do I Need a British Guardian?

All international students attending a British boarding school must have a UK guardian who is legally appointed by the student’s parents. Whilst the student is in the UK, the guardian will be responsible for them. Boarding schools usually have lists of guardianship providers they recommend, but it is up to the parent to arrange. If you’d like help organising a UK guardian, let us know – we’ve partnered with trusted and AEGIS accredited guardians to offer a safe and hassle-free guardianship experience.

Try a Short Course at a British Boarding School

If you’re not quite sure that a British boarding school is right for you, if you’d like to improve your English before applying or want to see what it’s like being away from home, a short course in the summer would be worthwhile. We offer a host of summer programs and short courses at UK boarding schools, many of which offer full time courses too. This means you can try it out before you commit to applying, improve your English, get used to staying away from home and have a great summer! In addition, if your fluent in English & want a ‘boarding school taster session’ some schools allow one term immersion programs, an excellent way to trial a UK boarding school!

Let Us Help on Your Journey To Boarding School – It’s Free!

So, if you’re a student looking to attending boarding school in the UK, why not contact us? We’re dedicated to helping international students from various countries secure a place at the best British institutions, for both primary and secondary school programs ages 6 to 18. Contact us today if you have any queries about studying in UK boarding schools, we’d be happy to help!