Coming into the British school system from abroad
Key entry points and timelines when applying from overseas
Most children in the UK start school in the September after their 4th birthday (although they are not required to start until they reach the compulsory school age of 5).
After that, the most common points of entry are the September before they turn 7 (private schools), 11 (private and state schools), 13 (private schools) and 16 (private and state schools) – although some schools will enable you to enter at other points, including mid-year.
Why mid-GCSE and mid-A level moves are best avoided
A time to avoid moving your child to a British school is mid-GCSE or mid-A levels (years 10-11 and years 12-13 respectively) as these are highly structured two-year courses, usually assessed by exams at the end.
Independent schools: admissions for international families
Independent (otherwise called private or fee-paying) schools are split into pre-prep (age 4-7), prep (age 7 to 11 or 13) and seniors (age 11 or 13 to age 16 or 18) – although note that some are linked or are even one ‘all-through’ school. There are also some independent schools and colleges catering just for 16–18 year olds.
In most cases, the application deadline is during the academic year before entry, but there are exceptions. For some of the elite senior schools, it can be up to three years earlier whilst conversely, many schools welcome applications anytime, including mid-year – often with international students in mind. It’s also worth noting that some schools actively look to expand in numbers in certain year groups, with additional formal entry points (eg at 11+ for a 13+ prep; at 16+ for a senior school). Bottom line – check the school website and ask the school what exceptions they make for international students.
11 % of pupils in UK independent schools are non-British
Entrance assessments, interviews and overseas testing
Application processes also vary. Usually, the school asks for your child’s current school report and any recent assessment results when you register. If they feel your child will be a good fit, they’ll invite you to make a formal application – and for academically selective schools, they’ll give you a date for your child to take the entrance tests. This is usually between October and January for entry the following year at 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+ or 16+. For senior school applications, your child may be asked to take the ISEB Pre-Test, for which the deadline is earlier. For overseas families, the good news is that these can usually be taken at a test centre in your own country.
Visas, guardianship and next steps after an offer
International families are often surprised to find that even non-academically selective schools ask to assess the student (usually in English and maths) – but this is usually just to check they will be able to access the curriculum (and/or for setting purposes). Your child may also be asked to a taster day and/or interview (again, they can often be flexible with this for overseas children). If your child is offered a place, you can then start thinking about visas and guardianships.
State schools: admissions rules, catchments and oversubscription
The majority of children in Britain attend a government-funded school. The most common entry points to these state schools are September at age 4 (primary school), age 11 (secondary school), and age 16 (sixth form, often part of a secondary school) – with formal deadlines in the academic year before entry. State primary schools are not academically selective but some secondary schools are either partially or wholly selective.
Catchment areas and residence requirements
For overseas families wishing to bag one of these places, there is a major sticking point: you cannot apply for one until you are living in the UK – and if the school has a catchment area, you’ll probably need to be living within it (and some schools require you to have been living in catchment for a set period, eg two years).
International families should also be aware that, if applying at a normal entry point, parents do so via the local authority (LA) (not the school itself) for a school place. This is done on a form in which you state your preferences of favourite schools (in order of priority) in the LA’s area. If the school you want is full – or you don’t meet the entrance criteria – they’ll allocate you another one. If you apply after the deadline or ‘in-year’, your application will either have to go directly to the school or the LA (depending on the type of school) and will have even less chance of getting the school you want. Bottom line – you can’t just rock up and expect to get into your chosen state school.
British boarding schools: choosing, applying and what to expect
British boarding schools love having overseas pupils who are generally hardworking, keep their dormitories tidy and stand a good chance of providing an extra violinist for the school orchestra. In fact, only a small percentage of British boarding schools can count on filling their beds with British boys and girls alone.
Many traditional prep boarding schools take boarders from as young as age 7 or 8, while senior boarding schools have their formal intakes of boarders at 11+ and/or 13+ – and increasingly 16+ – although it’s always worth asking about intakes into other year groups, including mid academic year.
State boarding schools: how they work
While most British boarding schools are private (fee-paying), there are 34 state (government-funded) senior boarding schools which require families to pay only for their boarding (not tuition) and which are applied for in the same way as a private school (so no need to go through the aforementioned local authority route). But it’s important to note that some of these schools offer full boarding, others only weekly boarding and some have boarding for sixth formers only.
Always check numbers of boarders at any school you are considering – some are day schools with a small proportion of boarders, others are boarding schools with a small proportion of day students, and some only take boarders. Find out how many boarders there will be of your child’s age too – particularly important at the younger end, when your child may be one of only two or three. Also ask how many other full boarders there are – a school with a mass exodus of weekly/flexi boarders on Friday nights can make for a lonely weekend.
How to prepare your child for joining a UK school from overseas
English language expectations
Help your child arrive in the UK with a good command of the English language (link to article). In the independent sector, this may be a prerequisite for a place.
It can also help to bridge any curriculum gaps, arranging extra tuition if needed. We review over 60 tutor agencies that specialise in this.
Helping your child settle socially and culturally
Familiarise your child with the UK school system. Discuss what the UK school day is like and how to navigate social interactions and cultural expectations.
Visit schools you are considering if at all possible – ideally before you make the choice.
