EDUCATION
ACS Egham International School
the system and make informed decisions. Fortunately, there are plenty of education consultancies that can assist them to unpick the data and offer advice based on a long-standing relationship with, and understanding of, individual schools. One such agency has cemented its place at the centre of the
relocation sector after securing this year’s Re:locate award for Excellence in Employee & Family Support. Sarah Teasdale, managing director and lead consultant of Educatus, accepted the trophy at the gala dinner in front of hundreds of inf luential global mobility specialists. After helping to set up relocation management company
Sterling’s in-house education consultancy, Sarah Teasdale saw the growing need to offer relocating families assistance with international school moves, and established Educatus to meet demand. She and her team have successfully placed many families in good state schools in the UK, but they are mindful of the obstacles that parents must overcome. “A record number of primary and secondary state schools
are now full,” says Ms Teasdale. “Factors such as the rise in immigration, a baby boom in the UK, and the recession-fuelled exodus from private schools have contributed to this. Parents wanting a state-school place for their child must plan carefully. Local education authorities in the UK will only accept applications from families living in the area with proof of residency, and even then there is no guarantee of a place at a preferred school. “This usually means that a family must select a property
without knowing if they will be able to get their children into a school. Added to this, some schools now have responsibility for their own admissions, and trying to understand the system can be quite confusing for the incoming parent.” Educatus works directly with families and relocation
management companies, offering a fixed-fee arrangement which helps both parties to budget effectively. Moving from an international location to the UK can present
significant challenges for families, who may not be used to the style of learning in British schools and will certainly be baff led by the programme of exam reform in England. Enjoy Education, a London-based schools advisory and
private-tuition company providing advice and learning support for families in, and relocating to, the UK, was shortlisted for this year’s Excellence in Employee & Family Support award. With a strong international presence in key territories, including China, Russia and the Middle East, the company has seen a rapid increase in demand from international families. Enjoy Education quickly identified the need for overseas
families to rise to the demands of the ever-evolving British education system, and developed a home schooling programme for children in their country of origin before the family moves to the UK.
Finding the right education consultant • Choose your education consultant carefully, and make sure they are familiar with supporting relocating families. Those who deal specifically with relocation clients will understand the time frames and requirements of a move, including home search, orientation, removals and visa issues. They will be used to dovetailing their support with relocation management companies and destination services providers
• It is important to feel that your consultant
understands the needs of your child and any particular education requirements. If your child has special educational needs (SEN), for example, establish that the consultant you engage has experience of settling children in appropriate schools and understands the schooling options and support available
• If your child has a medical condition, ensure you have the relevant information to hand. Again, reassure yourself that your education consultant has the expertise to support your child’s needs
• Education consultants usually offer a number of services, with different price points depending on the level of support you require. This can range from supplying basic information to a complete handholding service where school appointments are arranged and you are accompanied on school visits. Fees vary considerably from country to country and between local areas. Consultants specialising in obtaining school places in top fee-paying schools may be very expensive, but be prepared to negotiate. You should be able to obtain an idea of basic fees from the websites of most reputable consultants, or via your initial enquiry
Getting the best from your education consultant • When appointing an education consultant, check their knowledge of school systems, curricula and state, private and international schools, and make your choice accordingly. Ask them to tell you about clients they have helped in similar circumstances, and request testimonials and references
• Establish a rapport with your consultant, and ask questions around your child’s particular requirements. Be wary of anyone who promises that their organisation can deliver school places, particularly in popular locations
• Your consultant can guide you through the application process. You
should compile a
comprehensive folder of information about your child’s education and achievements, to pass on to a new school and to help with the application. Remember to ask your current school for records as early as possible. If a school is closed for the holidays, they may be difficult to obtain
• Be prepared to work through solutions with your consultant, and be open to exploring other options if you can’t secure your first choice
62 | Re:locate | Summer 2016
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