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UK schools articles and advice

Whether it's state, independent, boarding, co-ed or single-sex, read our advice on finding the best UK school for your child. Our articles, written by our in-house experts, have every topic covered.
The evolution of a school child

Recent and popular articles

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Private schools and VAT – the latest

UK Schools

The Labour Government has imposed VAT on private school fees. We ask what fees now look like and how families are affected.
A family greeting a headmaster at an open day

School open days

UK Schools

Visiting a school is the single best way of finding out what it’s genuinely like. Here’s how to do it well.
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10 top schools for rowing

UK Schools

Which UK schools are the best on water? We run through ten of the country’s finest rowing schools.
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UK education advice

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Getting the most out of parents’ evenings

UK Schools

Parents’ evenings are a rare chance to sit face-to-face with teachers and find out exactly how your child is faring.
A hand drawn illustration of school girls in red jumpers and boys in green jumpers playing tug of war

Single sex schools vs coeducational

UK Schools

Are single sex schools better than coeducational? Both have their supporters and critics. We weigh up the options.
A gag cartoon by NAY showing two Inuits talking with one saying 'Did you know the British have over 100 different words for school?'

The UK school system

UK Schools

Each of the four nations – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - operates differently, with different curricula.
A blueprint map of the solar system and planets orbiting the sun.

English secondary schools and the National Curriculum

UK Schools

The national curriculum aims to provide a balanced and broadly based education that’s consistent across the country.
All UK education advice
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Nursery & early years

A gag cartoon by NAY showing a couple in bed discussing how early to put their yet-to-be conceived child's name down for nursery

Choosing a nursery

UK Schools

With a variety of nursery options available, how do you choose one in which your child can thrive, flourish, and develop?
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Nurseries for special needs

SEND

Many local authorities have nursery providers which specialise in speech and communication needs. We help find one for your child.
A child sitting on top of a computer monitor while screaming through a megaphone

Childcare choices for under 5s

UK Schools

Whether you are returning to work or want your child to socalise with other kids, there is a world of childcare options available.
A gag cartoon by NAY showing a child arriving at nursery clasping an ipad instead of a teddy

Different types of nursery in the UK

UK Schools

Nurseries range from tiny village nurseries to larger commercial enterprises and offer a range of childcare options.
All nursery & early years articles
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Scholarships & bursaries

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Private school scholarships and bursaries

UK Schools

Private schools offer scholarships and bursaries in order to attract talented pupils and make places more affordable for families.
Harrow School

‘Harrow scholarship changed my life’

UK Schools

Ostap Stefak, recipient of a 100 per cent scholarship at Harrow School describes his journey to Harvard.
The boy choristers of Pilgrims' School, Winchester Cathedral, sit in a vestry wearing their red cassocks and white ruffs.

Choir schools explained

UK Schools

A choir school is attached to a Christian cathedral, major church, or college chapel and educates choristers who sing at services.
All scholarships & bursaries articles
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Independent schools

Male and female pupils at Stamford School walking together

Private schools in the UK

UK Schools

In the UK, 2,500 private schools offer a range of educational styles and academic levels. Here’s everything you need to know.
A small school boy carrying books

Prep and pre-prep schools: what do I need to know?

UK Schools

Prep schools and pre-prep schools are private schools for pupils aged 4 to 13, preparing them for entry into secondary schools.
A gag cartoon by NAY - Looking over a school wall to see a giraffe and monkey. "They're determined to hang on to their charitable status"

Private school fees explained: what are you paying for?

UK Schools

Annual school fees range from £5,100 to £75,000 but how can you tell how much you need to spend to get what you want?
All independent schools articles
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Grammar schools

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Grammar schools in the UK

UK Schools

Grammar schools are academically selective senior schools, state-funded, and typically popular with ambitious parents.
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Understanding the 11+ exam

UK Schools

The 11+ is the entrance exam procedure for getting your bright little button into a fee-paying or state grammar school.
An illustration of a grammar school classroom with a young girl in colour in the foreground and school children in a blue tone in the background

Best grammar schools in the UK

UK Schools

Which grammar schools (academically selective state schools) in England are best at helping children progress academically?
All state and grammar school articles
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State schools

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A guide to state schools

UK Schools

State schools in the UK provide a free, government-funded education for children aged 4 to 18.
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Faith schools in the UK

UK Schools

Faith schools are state-funded schools in the UK with an affiliation to a particular religion or faith-based organisation.
Question marks on 4 speech bubbles.

School appeals – do I stand a chance?

UK Schools

If you are not offered your first choice primary or secondary school, you have a legal right to appeal the decision.
A teenager in a dorm room at a state boarding school

State boarding schools in the UK

UK Schools

Everything you need to know about state boarding in the United Kingdom plus a list of all state boarding schools.
All state school articles
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Education consultancy

Whether independent or state, or alternative or grammar, our consultants can advise on a broad range of issues, from finding a place in a school to navigating the UK educational system.

Our latest area guides

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West Sussex

Best schools

Our local experts reveal West Sussex’s best schools in our detailed guide to the county’s educational landscape.
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Bristol

Best schools

Our resident Bristolian reveals all about the best schools in Bristol.
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Oxford and Oxfordshire

Best schools

Allow our local education expert to guide you through the county and point out Oxford and Oxfordshire’s best schools.
Explore all area guides
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Higher education

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What is Higher Education in the UK?

UK Schools

Higher Education in the UK is typically the next step for those continuing their studies after sixth form and A levels.
The Radcliffe Camera and All Souls College in Oxford, England. Blue, cloudy sky.

A guide to Oxbridge entrance

UK Schools

A guide to Oxbridge admissions when preparing for entry to Oxford or Cambridge university.
Applying to university in America

Applying to universities in America

UK Schools

You've made your shortlist of US universities but how do you take on the all-important application process?
An illustration of a mortar board on an open book

Applying to university in the UK

UK Schools

University is the next step for many school leavers. But when should you apply for university and how long does the process take?
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Pupil wellbeing

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5 questions to ask your school about smartphones

UK Schools

We list five essential questions to ask schools about children's smartphone usage and the support available to parents.
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What is pastoral care in schools?

UK Schools

From anxieties caused by exam stress to the fall out from social media, what are schools doing to encourage good mental health?
North Bridge House students working at picnic tables outside under the shade of a tree

The London school that gives teens a lie-in

UK Schools

What happened when North Bridge House Senior Canonbury introduced a later start to the school day?
All pupil wellbeing articles
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Alternative education

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Alternative schools in the UK

UK Schools

Alternative schools provide an option for parents who do not want their children to be educated in mainstream schools.
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Forest school in the UK

UK Schools

Forest school is regular outdoor sessions that to enable children to develop confidence through hands-on learning.
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Online schools

UK Schools

Online schools are an alternative to more traditional schooling. So who do they suit and how do you find the best one?
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Steiner-Waldorf schools in the UK

UK Schools

The Steiner Waldorf philosophy is that children should enjoy learning for its own sake, not merely to pass exams.
See all alternative education articles
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More help and advice

UK education essentials

Nurseries & early years

State schools

Independent schools

Scholarships & bursaries

Alternative education