UK Boarding Schools Q+A?

The general information given above is only for your reference as it varies from different boarding schools.

1.          With Hundreds of boarding schools in the UK. How can you make the best choice for your children when it comes to picking only one out of Hundreds?

2.          Is it difficult to get in a boarding school?

3.          Is taking the entrance exam a must?

4.          Do boarders get a higher chance in getting into universities?

5.          What is the A levels curriculum like in the UK education system?

6.          What necessities will my children need to bring along?

7.          Can our children take their own laptops and cell phones along?

8.          What do they do during weekends?

9.          What if my children are homesick?

10.     What is the best time to study in the UK?

11.     How much pocket money shall I give my children?

12.     Do we need to get our uniforms before departure?

13.     What will we do in our guardians’ during holiday?

14.     Can we go to the town or the nearest city during weekdays or weekends?

15.     Is there any pick-up service for my children from the airport to the school?

16.     Do boarders have our own washroom in their room?

17.     How many boarders will there be in a shared room?

Q1.  How can you make the best choice for your children when it comes to picking only one out of thousands?

First you will need to think whether co-education suits your children or not. We advise parents talk to their children about this before making any decisions. In addition, parents will need a rough financial plan as EVERY independent boarding school in the UK adjusts its school fees every year. Parents should consider the school spirit, its facilities and its location. Usually students find it better to live in the Southern England as it is warmer there. Midlands and the Northern England are much cooler. The daytime is comparably short in winter. Parents should be more careful when choosing schools for their children if they have dyslexia or other reading/writing problems.

Q2. Is it difficult to get in a boarding school?

It depends on the public exam performances and the overall ranking in the league table. Generally the entry requirement becomes more demanding as the ranking gets higher. We therefore suggest parents should get as well-prepared as possible before sending their children off to study in England.

Q3. Is taking the entrance exam a must?

Some schools do require applicants to take entrance exams, some do not. Most Prep Schools do not have entrance exams. However, entrance exams are a must for entry to junior year, GCSE and sixth form. Entry to sixth form generally requires at least 5 D’s in HKCEE or other equivalent qualifications.

Q4. Do boarders get a higher chance in getting into universities?

According to statistics, over 95% of boarders in the UK further their education at universities. 

Q5. What is the A levels curriculum like in the UK education system?

 In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the A levels curriculum consists of 2 parts:

AS level is equivalent to Form 6 in Hong Kong, usually students take 4- 5 subjects in this year and they will need to take a public exam (AS level) by the end of the academic year.

A level is equivalent to Form 7 in Hong Kong, usually students pick 3-4 AS subjects and by the end of the academic year they will need to take another public exam (A level).

Q6. What necessities will my children need to bring along?

Students do not need to take a lot of stuff as their rooms will not be very spacious. They are encouraged to take some photos for decoration use and younger ones are advised to take some toys along with them.

We do not recommend students to take along their computer game devices, such as PSP and Game boy, as it will limit them to get to know the other students.

Q7. Shall our children take their own laptops and mobile phones to Boarding school?

It varies from different boarding schools. Generally we do not recommend students to take too many valuables. Sixth formers are in greater demand but there are always computer rooms available for students.

Q8. What do boarders do at weekends?

Athletic events (tournaments/ competitions/ swimming gala) are usually held during weekends. Boarders are occasionally taken to cinemas, amusement parks or local museums by matrons/ housemasters.

Q9. What if my children are homesick?

Boarding life is great fun and it is very rare that children get severely homesick. If parents are worried about their children they can always talk to them on the phone. Moreover, teachers at schools will also take care of them. Once the students are settled, parents normally complain their child for not ringing home!

Q10. What is the best time to study in the UK?

Year 5 (9+) to Year 9 (13+) are the optimum entry points, although places may sometimes fall vacant in Year 10 (14+). Year 10 is a vital point for entry in most schools as GCSE courses start at the beginning of this year. GCSE courses usually involve some kind of continuous assessment, which makes it difficult to move from one school to another after Year 10, as the transfer of curriculum, progress within a course and even examination boards rarely match from school to school. Parents should also take into account whether their children are ready to study abroad or not,.

Q11 How much pocket money shall I give my children at boarding school?

We suggest ￡20 at most per week. All meals are already included if your children full-board in the school. All outing fees (e.g. transportation fees/ entry fees) are usually put in the school bill and paid at the end of term. The pocket money is usually spent on buying necessities such as shampoo and snacks. Matrons in the boarding house usually keep the pocket money for the younger ones (Y4-Y8).

Q12 Do we need to get our uniforms before departure?

It is not a must to get your uniforms before arriving England. Most of the boarding schools have school shops and you can always get the required items in there. They do sell second-handed uniforms sometimes and these are very reasonably priced. Most Sixth formers do not need to wear uniforms to school.

Q13 What will we do in our guardians’ during holiday?

Usually they will attend most family gatherings and social events in their guardians’. You can ask them to take you to cinemas or shopping malls or whatever you wish.

Q14 Can we go to the town or the nearest city during weekdays or weekends?

Boarders are usually NOT allowed to go to the town or city during the day. They will need to ask their matron/ housemaster/ housemistress for permission if they really need to. Usually they are only allowed to go after school. During weekends, they are allowed to go to the town/City ONLY if they have asked for permission. Usually seniors can go on their own but for younger ones they must be accompany

ied by the seniors.

Q15 Is there any pick-up service for my children from the airport to the school?

There is always someone trustworthy picking up your children at the airport. This someone could be his guardians or a member of staff from his school. Parents should be aware of that if you want any pick-up service to be arranged, you need to inform the school about the itinerary details including the departure time and arrival time before departure.

Q16 Do boarders have our own washroom in their room?

-           Most of the boarding schools DO NOT provide en-suite rooms. The bathrooms and washrooms are usually shared. It is very rare that you will have you own washroom. However, there are usually water supplies and a sink in your room.

-           

Q17 How many boarders will there be in a shared room?

-           There are usually 4-6 people living in a shared room but it varies from different schools. Juniors usually have more roommates and seniors usually have up to 2 roommates.