A seamless
transition: how moving schools can be a positive process
Moving a child to a new school, often in a different country, can be stressful for both the parents and child. From finding the right school to securing a place and settling your child, Nathaniel McCullagh, founder and managing director of Simply Learning Tuition, explains how to make the move to a new school a painless and positive experience.
O
ne of the most stressful parts of the relocation process can be finding and settling your child into a new school. Getting it
wrong can have lasting consequences. The good news is that handled correctly, changing school is a rewarding experience that can add long-term value to your child’s education and well-being. In many cases, families enlist the help
of a consultant to take them through the entire process, from finding the right school for their children to completing the application paperwork and preparing the child for interview. In some cases, this process may be supported by a period of one-to-one tutoring to build confidence and address areas of academic weakness.
FINDING THE RIGHT EDUCATION CONSULTANT AND TUTOR If you are considering working with an education consultant, it is important to find one who completely understands your family. They should be independent (avoid those who only recommend the schools that pay them an introductory fee) and charges for their help should be proportional to the time spent. If all you need is a consultation and shortlist of schools, this should be no more than a few hours’ work. If you want the full placement package of booking visits, introductions and accompanied school or university visits, the number of hours becomes substantial and an all-in package should be agreed. A good consultant will have expert knowledge of their particular level and it is unusual to find one consultant
who is an expert at all education stages. The consultant will know about the
school’s standing, forthcoming changes in staff, open days, entry deadlines and how to make the best application. Every school is different, most are oversubscribed and a more personal approach can often help to secure a place. Admissions tutors are highly skilled at spotting potential, but in most cases, we advise a course of lessons with a private tutor, to ensure the child is comfortable with the process and understands the type of questions they are likely to be asked. A friendly, professional tutor will work
alongside the child’s school curriculum and represent a natural mentor and confidant. When choosing a tutor, it is important to check that he or she is familiar with your
44 | RELOCATE | SPRING 2019
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