You’ll be reassured to know that the UK is the first choice for many parents when considering an international education for their children. UK Boarding schools is indeed expensive. So why is the UK still the most popular destination when compared with Australia, Canada or the US?
All-English Learning Environment
In a boarding school, English will be the dominate language used throughout the day, no matter students are in class, taking part in activities or in leisure. Plus, it’s a unique chance for your child to live and study alongside children from the UK, Europe and around the world, learning English through everyday experience as well as from teachers. An opportunity they may not have later in life.
Progression to Top University – Almost Guaranteed!
With adequate supply of university places, progression to university is much easier in the UK than in Hong Kong. Many boarding schools even boost a close to 100% progression rate and with students studying the subjects and programmes of their choice – thanks to the all-round education boarding schools provide! From our experience, the earlier students start studying in the UK, the better the chance of them getting into top universities as they easily stand out with their fluency in English and the wide-ranging experience from extracurricular activities.
A Beautiful, Spacious and Safe Environment
Many UK boarding schools are located in safe and beautiful countryside. For a lot of students, the best aspect of boarding school life is being with their good friends at all times, from playing sports, eating and studying together.
Making the Most out of Every Single Day
Think about the hours spent travelling to and from school in Hong Kong. In a boarding school, your classroom will just be 5-minute walk away from your bed! No more carrying a heavy schoolbag, or squeezing in MTR or buses, nor sitting in traffic jams!
Students Just Naturally Won’t be Glued to their Phones and the Internet
With limited space for extracurricular activities, teenagers in Hong Kong usually and inevitably spend more time glued to their phone, on videogames and the Internet. With extracurricular activities embedded into everyday timetables, studying in a boarding school also means that students have lots of chances to try new things with their peers. It’s usually in these situations that boundaries break down and the fun begins! As students develop more hobbies, they just naturally won’t be glued to their phones and the Internet!
Develop the Whole Person
A good education means more than good grades and qualifications, developing the whole person and nurturing good personality traits like determination, perseverance and international cultural awareness are just as important. Through community life and extracurricular activities, boarding schools facilitate these important parts of education through different types of activities. These include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme that advocates outdoor edcuation, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) that emphasizes discipline, as well as international exchanges and trips, and team and personal sports.
Grow as a Team Player and Develop Self-Discipline through Boarding Routines
Unlike in Hong Kong, where many aspects of everyday were provided for by parents and domestic helpers, in a boarding school students are responsible for many aspects of life, big and small. Boarding school usually have younger students share a dormitory, where they learn to live with each other. Getting up and going to bed on time, making your own bed, keeping your own desk and wardrobe tidy – as they get used to the rhythm of boarding life, they’re also growing as a team player and developing self-discipline. By the time they progress to sixth form (during which they normally live in single study bedrooms), they’d have developed enough self-discipline and drive to strike a good balance between work and play – something valuable as they move on to university and a few years later to their adult life!
Increase your Chances to University and Become a Professional
With small class sizes (less than 15 people) and well-planned resources, many boarding schools are always top of league tables for GCSE, and A-levels. Boarding schools usually have more subject options as well as very established school facilities. Boarding schools have a track record of excellent results. Around 44.7% of the students at boarding schools achieved A*-A while figures for public schools are just 25.7%.
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