How to use this guidebook

Are you looking for...

Help and advice?

If so, take a look at our editorial section (pages 5 to 43). Here you will find articles written by experts in their field covering issues you may well come across when choosing a school for your child.

A school or college in a certain geographical region?

Then you need to go to the map on D148 to find the directory page reference to a particular region. We suggest that you look first in the directory for basic information about all the schools in each region, complete with contact details, so that you will be better informed about the choices available to you. From this section you will be directed to more detailed information in the profile section, where this is available.

A certain type of school or college in a particular area?

Look in the directories for the area you want (again, you can find a directory page reference from the regional map on D148). Underneath each school listed you will find icons that denote different types of schools or qualifications that they offer. You can find a key to these icons on the following page; this key is repeated at the front of each section of the directory.

A specific school or college?

If you know the name of the school or college but are unsure of its location, simply go to the index at the back of the guide where you will find all the schools listed alphabetically. You will find that some page numbers are prefixed with the letter D, this denotes that the school appears in the directory section. Page numbers not prefixed by the letter D denote schools that have chosen to include a fuller school profile, which will provide you with much more extensive information.

More information on relevant educational organisations and examinations?

In the editorial section you will find ‘Initial advice’, a helpful explanation of the various educational organisations relevant to preparatory schools. There are articles from the Boarding Schools Association (BSA), Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS), Independent Schools Association (ISA), Independent Schools Council (ISC) and the Society of Heads.

Keys to directory information

The diagrams below explain what the different icons used in the directory mean, and indicate the type of information given for each school in the directory.

Key to directory

County

Name of school or college

Address and contact number

Head’s name Age range

Number of pupils. B = boys G = girls Fees per annum.

Day = fees for day pupils. WB = fees for weekly boarders. FB = fees for full boarders.

Wherefordshire

College Academy For further details see p. 00

Which Street, Whosville, Wherefordshire AB12 3CD

Tel: 01000 000000

Head Master: Dr A Person

Age range: 11–18 No. of pupils: 660 B330 G330 Fees: Day £11,000 WB £16,000 FB £20,000 4678BIE

Key to icons (abridged)

Key to symbols:

1 Boys’ school 3 Girls’ school 4 International school

Schools offering:

7 Boarding accommodation 8 Bursaries 6 A levels A International Baccalaureate B Learning support