UNITED KINGDOM
...Securing a place at a top UK school
and prepare them for the tests that may be required to gain entry into the UK’s top public schools.
Where older students looking to enter a UK school are concerned, Matthew Cook advises that careful thought be given to academic preparation. “For students coming to study in the UK, especially those coming in their mid-to-late teens to study A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, English-language proficiency and proper academic preparation are vital.
“A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, International A Levels and Pre-U courses are all challenging programmes, even for those who are fluent in English and have taken GCSEs, International GCSEs, the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, or similar courses. “It is important that students who may need to develop their English-language skills or certain academic areas begin this process as soon as they are aware that they are coming to the UK, in order to give themselves the best chance of gaining entry into their preferred schools, and in order to be successful in their chosen courses.”
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS Although support for pupils who do not speak English will be given in many schools in the UK, it is often a requirement that pupils are able to demonstrate a degree of competence in the English language. “Initially,
it may be worthwhile looking for schools with dedicated English-language preparation programmes,” advises Matthew Cook, “and/or talking to schools about the support that they can realistically offer to students.”
Even for pupils who have a limited grasp of the language, there is some flexibility. For example, the International School of London offers mother-tongue tuition in a range of languages, in addition to English-language support, and many students go on to gain an IB Bilingual Diploma. At Wellington College, all students for whom English is a second language are tested on arrival, and recommendations are made as to the most appropriate support. “Some students may have a slightly-reduced timetable, to allow them to take extra English-language lessons, and workshops are available for tuition, advice and voice coaching,” explains James Dahl. “EAL [English as an Additional Language] students are advised to read and speak English as often as possible, and to follow the news on the radio and in the newspapers.” With research revealing that more than 60 per cent of
privately educated A Level students in the UK secured places at the most selective British universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, and London’s Imperial College and University College, the international appeal of a British private-school education is not hard to understand.
The academic preparation, rigid timing and level of fees involved mean that such an education will not be for everyone. As with all relocation-related school moves – whether international or domestic, state-funded or fee-paying – families will need knowledgeable advice and help with planning their child’s education if they are to ensure a smooth transition.
Relocate is grateful to Debbie Bowker, of Bowker Consulting, for her contributions to this article.
TASIS The American School in England
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