UK Boarding Schools 2019

UK BOARDING SCHOOLS A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

How to choose the right school for your child Choosing the right education institute in the UK for your little one can be a tough proposition.

Educational consultants Anderson Education offer some timely tips

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CURRICULUM OPTIONS

electing the right school for your child can be daunting, particularly if you are living thousands of miles away; many families will seek advice from their friends and colleagues and search the internet. As Education Consultants we are here to help you through the process; we have visited over 350 schools and are able to recommend schools to meet the individual needs of each child and their family.

As a first step, you should identify your criteria so that you have a clearer idea of the type of school that will suit your child.

ACADEMIC LEVEL Our schools all encourage students to achieve their academic potential; some schools offer an academically competitive environment, are selective on entry and have an expectation that their students will achieve top grades. Other schools will have a broader range of academic ability and offer a supportive and nurturing environment.

FULL BOARDING ENVIRONMENT It is important for expat and international boarders to be part of a busy and full boarding environment with lots of activities and trips arranged @An_Education

during evenings and weekends.

We recommend that when you visit a prospective school, you ask the average number of students in school during the weekend as boarding numbers may include weekly and flexi boarders.

SPORT, MUSIC, ART AND DRAMA If your child has a talent and passion in any of these fields it’s important that they are able to develop this, whether it is representing the county at rugby or playing in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. An increas-

@Anderson_Education

ing number of schools are offering Sporting Academies and Performance Programmes that offer students access to worldclass facilities and professionallevel coaching. Students attend sessions in strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology relevant to their particular sport; individually tailored programmes optimise the performance of the individual student. The schools have links with regional and national squads and students regularly represent their school and compete to ensure progression.

Anderson Education

Anderson Education

Most schools offer the British Curriculum in Years 7 to 9 with (I)GCSE in Years 10 and 11. There are many more options when entering the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) including A Levels, IB Diploma, BTec, Pre-U, Advancement Placement (AP) and the American High School Diploma.

Have you thought about an Independent College or a State Boarding School?

Based in London, Oxford, Cambridge and other leading cities in the UK, an independent college offers an excellent stepping stone to university and encourages a mature and independent attitude to learning for motivated students. Teaching is in small classes which enables a more flexible approach and the opportunity to achieve very good results.

Oxford International College and the National Mathematics and Science College are two leading independent colleges that will be represented at the UK Boarding School Exhibition.

If you think your child would benefit from a boarding school education, but feel the fees are beyond your budget you may find a state boarding school is the answer for you. State schools offering full boarding are popular with families working abroad, in the Forces,

UK BOARDING SCHOOL EXHIBITION Friday, November 8, 2pm – 7pm and Saturday, November 9, 11am – 4pm Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina Visit the UK Boarding School Exhibition at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina on Friday, November 8 (2pm – 7pm) and Saturday, November 9, (11am – 4pm) to talk to heads and representatives of leading UK boarding schools – find out what they have to offer and the many opportunities available.

Get free help and advice from our education consultants and collect a free copy of the UK Boarding School Directory.

Register online: https://esnet.uk/WjMD9 Contact: Sarah Harvey +971 (0)50 5520968 Email: enquiries@ andersoneducation.co.uk www.andersoneducation.co.uk

the diplomatic service or with international companies.

Tuition is Government funded and the family pay for the boarding provision, from £10,000 pa. State boarding schools are an option for EU passport holders.

www.andersoneducation.co.uk | www.ukboardingschoolexhibition.com

UK BOARDING SCHOOLS

Friday, November 8, 2019

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ADVERTISER’S CONTENT

[ FETTES COLLEGE ]

The Independent school of the year for student well-being

W

hen boarding internationally, your child’s well-being is the number one priority. As Fettes College has recently been awarded Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing they discuss what make their pastoral care award-winning.

Only happy students learn and at Fettes, we focus on the mental and physical wellbeing of our students through our rigorous and responsive PSE programme while nurturing a strong, welcoming and inclusive community. PSE Curriculum: Built through on-going pupil consultation, our PSE programme is forward-thinking and embedded within school life. Utilising external contacts (guest speakers, char-

ities and alumni) and harnessing the enthusiasm of students, our core components include healthy relationships, modern world pressures, decisionmaking, nutrition and emotional resilience.

Pressures of the Modern World: We have a non-complacent approach to technology, managing the pressures it can bring whilst promoting the positive impact it can have. Online safety is key as is understanding the real impact of online content. Those pressures have always been there and so addressing the root of issues is our focal point.

An Oasis of Calm: The Hub is a pupil-

focused drop-in room open daily and staffed by members of the listening team (PSE prefects, non-teaching and teaching staff). This reflective space provides a listening ear and some peace during the busy school week.

Constructive Intervention: We pride ourselves on quick identification of those who may be struggling. Our on-site 24hour medical centre offers immediate access to a mental health trained nurse with follow-up counselling and psychological support as required.

Societies & Initiatives: Our studentled Fettes Equalities Society encourages open dialogue amongst pupils whilst

cultivating skills to empower students now and in the future.

PSE Weeks: These whole-school, pupil-led termly events address current issues and recognise what our students need both physically and mentally. Recent themes have included Curiosity & Kindness; Love Your Mind; Failure & Resilience and always include a nutritional and physical health element alongside clear messages integrated into daily life. At Fettes, we are never complacent when it comes to student well-being and we regularly evaluate and respond to need. Reflecting the current ‘pressing issues’ makes our offering relevant, flexible and valued.

Visit www.fettes.com

[ THE ROYAL MASONIC SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (RMS) ]

Preparing students for 21st century challenges R

MS is a distinctive and different school, filled with talented, enthusiastic and confident students. It is a school that is brave enough to do things differently, and to only do what is right for the girls. Located in hundreds of acres of parkland yet conveniently just a ten-minute walk from the Metropolitan and Chiltern train lines at Rickmansworth, and boasting facilities many schools can only dream of, RMS offers an exceptional environment in which to study.

RMS welcomes boarders from across the globe, who live alongside UK boarders to create a truly international environment within the well-equipped, homely boarding houses. Boarders are cared for by a team of experienced boarding staff, who make all our students truly feel at home at school. The girls benefit from a wide range of activities at weekends and after school, and form a hugely important part of our school community.

At RMS we are committed to a healthy learning culture on the process of improving as a learner, both inside and outside the classroom, rather than unhealthily obsessing about the endpoint. RMS students are committed to self-improvement, and to achieving their personal best. The 2017 ISI

Inspection reported that all RMS students make excellent progress, and also highlighted the school’s success in meeting their aim “to help pupils learn and achieve without undue pressure”.

Our students certainly do achieve; in 2018, half of all grades at A Level were A* or A, and girls frequently reach the highest levels in sports and in the fields of visual or performing arts. Our Sixth

Form curriculum is coupled with an integrated approach to preparation for life after school, called RMS Edge.

Around 90 per cent of RMS students successfully gain a place at their first choice of course and institution.

Pastorally, RMS is known to be outstanding – teachers are given the time to know what is distinctive about each girl, what is important to her, her tal-

ents, context and needs at each stage of her education. The co-curricular offering is first-rate, with over 50 activities for each year group in any given term, allowing each and every girl to discover, follow and broaden her passions. As learners, RMS students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of 21st century life as exceptional young women.

UK BOARDING SCHOOLS

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ADVERTISER’S CONTENT

[ STEYNING GRAMMAR SCHOOL ]

Committed to making students global citizens O

scar and Lucia Canton are boarders at Steyning Grammar School in West Sussex, one of the 40 State Boarding Schools across the country. They follow in the footsteps of their older sister, Ella, who also boarded at SGS and is currently studying Politics at Durham University.

Steyning Grammar School has over 400 years of experience of nurturing boarders and is known for its excellent pastoral support. There are full and weekly boarding options available for students from Year 9 to Year 13 with competitively priced fees £11,700 a year for full boarders. Parents only pay for the cost of boarding while the education is free.

Oscar is in Year 13 and reflects on how he adapted to boarding having lived and been schooled in Qatar for many years, he said: “It was not an easy choice to make the change and follow in my older sister’s footsteps as I would be leaving behind my friends, my family and my home.

“At first I found it challenging to integrate as I was not an outgoing person. However, the induction process and the family atmosphere at SGS has brought me out of my shell and improved my self-confidence.”

Oscar was elected as Head Boy of Boarding

at the end of Year 12 and is relishing his student leader role. Lucia is in Year 12 and has signed up to the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award where she has to complete physical, skill and volunteering sections.

This means that Lucia will be involved in cooking club, circuit training and mentor younger students as a Peer Listener every week.

At SGS, students have access to a varied extra-curricular programme of activities, including weekend trips, at no additional charge.

SGS remains an outward facing school committed to help students become global citizens. This year, there are over 30 different countries represented in boarding which makes for a real melting pot and unique boarding experience.

Nick Wergan, Headteacher of Steyning Grammar School & BSA Chair says, “We are extremely proud that 125 young people choose to live with us and we take this responsibility very seriously. It is an absolute pleasure to work with young people and to see that they are developing in ways that ensure they will flourish in future life.”

For more information log on to: http:// www.sgs.uk.net/

Oscar Canton was elected Head Boy of Boarding while in Year 12 at Steyning Grammar school; His sister, Lucia, currently in Year 12, has signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award

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UK BOARDING SCHOOLS

Friday, November 8, 2019 ADVERTISER’S CONTENT

[ ANDERSON EDUCATION ]

The UK Boarding School specialists

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he UK Boarding School specialists, Anderson Education, have been organising the UK Boarding School Exhibitions in Dubai (since 2006), Nigeria and Ghana every year. The Education Consultants at Anderson Education offer to families free advice and guidance based on their extensive experience and research gained from visiting over 350 UK boarding schools.

They are able to recommend schools to meet the individual needs of each child and his/her family. Moreover they have more than 25 years’ experience of working with overseas families and international students and regularly visit countries in the Middle East and West Africa to meet with families.

“Our service is personal to each individual family and their situation.

We are a small loyal team with over 50 years’ experience between us! Our 20th UK Boarding School Exhibition will be held in Dubai in February 2020. This well-established event is well known to families living in the Gulf region and is popular with UK schools,” says Sara Sparling, Education Consultant.

Many parents meet delegates from UK boarding schools at the exhibition; many others from different parts of the world contact Anderson Education

through their website and directory of boarding schools website round the year. According to Sparling, families in the Middle East consider a UK Boarding school for their wards due to some reasons that haven’t changed since 2006.

An increasing number of parents consider a UK education as a stepping stone to university and prefer their children to attend a UK boarding school in the sixth form where in the last two years of school they gain the confidence and independence while still in a safe environment as they prepare for university. Another reason is the stability during the last two years if the parents think they might move residence. Children with special educational needs are also sent to special supportive boarding schools in the

UK, where there are many mainstream schools with special education departments and specialist schools.

“It is very rewarding to help families and receive their feedback thanking us when their children are settled in a school. We receive many warm testimonials from the families who have used our services in the past years. Families who want to avail our service should attend the exhibition and meet delegates from a variety of boarding schools from all over the UK,” urges Sparling.

About 25 schools ensuring a wide range of options including Girl/Boys/ Co Ed; Prep/Senior/Independent College; A-Levels/IB/Btec; schools with strength in sport and the Arts; schools with excellent Learning Support Departments; state boarding schools and a good geographical spread, are visiting the exhibition. These schools get advice

from Anderson Education consultants on how to prepare for and market their schools in the Middle East.

Each year Anderson Education is instrumental in placing in UK boarding schools, over 120 students of which 65% are from the Middle East. They also work with British Forces families worldwide and have recently been approved to be supported by the British Government Department for International Trade and use their logo ‘Proud to support – Education is Great’ on their materials.

Anderson Education; the UK Boarding School Directory is available from British Council offices, bookshops, clubs, schools and online. Up to date information is available on the website for www.andersoneducation.com and www.ukboardinschoolexhibition.com — By Latha Krishnan

Tailoring your child’s education

By Nicky Sakpoba

B

ritish boarding schools are known worldwide for their ability to provide children with an all-round education. And one of the great strengths of the British education system is also the recognition that all children learn differently.

Schools offering support for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) provide teaching through a range of formats, including targeted small group sessions and in-class assistance. Speech & Language Therapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology and utilising the expertise and experience of the SENCo and team in order to best support young people with regards to their learning difficulties is tailored to each child’s needs.

Pupils with learning difficulties such as dyslexia are offered withdrawal from non-core subjects to focus on identified areas of difficulty such as reading, writing and maths. Learning Support Departments also assist those who need guidance with organisation and study skills, including examination technique and revision strategies.

A growing number of specialist schools in the UK offer a route to A Levels, Foundation programmes and university places for international students. An international student requiring a Year 11

place can be difficult to place in schools offering the conventional two year GCSE programme, as they would have missed a year of study towards the exams. In order to meet this need, many schools are now offering a one year GCSE programme, where students study up to 7 subjects, sufficient to see them through to the full A Level programme in Year 12.

The message for parents of international students, considering a UK boarding school is that there is a myriad of schools offering different levels of support for children with different needs but all with a common goal of helping students of all levels to develop for a successful future.

— The writer is Director of Panoba Education & Lifestyle

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[ LANCING COLLEGE ]

New programme helps pupils achieve career goals T

his term Lancing College has launched its new My Future programme, which brings together a new ‘whole school’ approach to support pupils explore and achieve their career goals.

The programme builds on the success of the existing UCAS support and preparation programme, which is a highly regarded feature of the Sixth Form and evident in the range and quality of destinations achieved by Lancing pupils.

My Future starts early in our pupils’ journey, allowing Third Formers to explore the world of work, where life skills are part of a wider PSHE programme.

This builds throughout the Fourth Form to a full programme of careers profiling and individual advice; in the Fifth Form, before GCSEs and A Level choices, pupils attend a careers conference where they are presented with a wide range of speakers and career options. Parents are also encouraged to be part of the programme as active participants and advocates.

Personal tutors, Housemasters/Housemistresses, teachers, UCAS specialists and independent careers advisors

are vital elements of the programme, all playing an important part at various stages in the pupils’ journey. My Future also harnesses the enthusiasm and commitment of OLs (former pupils) and parents through dedicated activities such as the new University Ambassadors and Careers in Depth events, and the OL professional networks attended

by Sixth Form pupils. In addition to the work done at the school, there are also opportunities to bring the world of work to life through sessions and events outside the school and across the academic, cocurricular and pastoral life at Lancing. This term, for example, our Business and Sports students have visited the Lawn Tennis Association, whilst the Medics’ Society attended a careers fair at Worthing Hospital.

After leaving the Sixth Form our pupils have access to Lancing Connected, an online community with over 800 members, which provides them with networking opportunities as well as an additional channel to keep in contact with their many friends and acquaintances. Many OLs are keen to offer support to each other through mentoring and careers advice.