EDUCATION


2017


Reassuring employees about their CHILDREN’S As Brexit


uncertainties continue, how can businesses help relocating


employees to manage their children’s education? Nathaniel McCullagh, founder and managing director of independent education company Simply Learning Tuition, winner of Relocate’s Excellence in Employee & Family Support award 2017, offers his perspective and expert advice.


S


EDUCATION during a Brexit relocation


ince the UK voted to leave the EU last year, there has been no overnight change; negotiation of the


relationship is going to take years. In the meantime, there is much chatter, confusion and concern over what future rules about the free movement of people will be. The knock-on effect of this is that many


employers are making contingency plans to support access to the EU by moving business out of the UK. Others will think twice about moving staff into it. The climate of uncertainty makes this


an anxious time for employees and their families, particularly those with children, who are naturally very concerned about schooling amid all the other considerations about relocation.


Be prepared So far in the Brexit negotiations, not much is clear. The situation regarding


London’s financial industry is just one area in which things are unsettled; for example, will banks continue to trade in the City and Canary Wharf once the UK is outside the EU? It could be that, when decisions are


eventually made, they will be swift. No one wants to be faced with moving their children out of school unexpectedly, but particularly not during a key stage such as the run-up to an exam period, especially pre-university exams like A Levels or the International Baccalaureate. So my number-one piece of advice for


people for whom a move is possible but not confirmed is to prepare and do some research now, even if there is only a small possibility of a move. Spending just an hour or so speaking to


a consultant will allow you to run through viable options. Having a conversation as a family may also pay dividends. Otherwise, a short-notice move may mean there is little time to make a well-reasoned decision. I believe that Brexit uncertainty is


the main reason we are seeing a massive increase in enquiries about UK boarding schools. Our general enquiries are up by 50 per cent at the moment, with many UK- based families who would traditionally have sent their children to a day school now considering boarding as well, so that the children will have continuity of care and education should their parents need to move abroad.


44 | Re:locate | Autumn 2017


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