Schools
We have included as much information as possible here, to ease the process. However, if there is anything that is not clear, please contact us for assistance.
School Information
LENGTH OF STAY
School Britannia can recommend a large selection of schools which welcome a number of international children and that guarantee that they enjoy the full, British boarding school opportunity. The longer your child is able to spend at a British boarding school, the larger your choice of establishment – and the more beneficial the experience. Many schools will only take a pupil for a minimum of one year, but – if there are spaces in a boarding house – a stay of one term, or even less, can be arranged.
LOCATION
Whilst the majority of schools are located in rural areas, it is also possible to find a school in or close to a country town. Many schools offer full and weekly boarding as well as catering for day pupils. Weekends are always busy, with both compulsory and optional activities and excursions. Children can travel back home at Exeat weekends (when the school closes) or arrangements can be made for them to stay with a friend or appointed guardian.
School Britannia also places children in a number of boarding schools in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
FEES
The price range for full boarding (2018/2019) is:
Prep School (8-13 years): between £7,500 and £9,250 per term
Public School (13-18 years): between £9,500 and £12,500 per term
BOARDING LIFE
Boarding pupils live in houses within the school, made up of between 20-55 children. The team responsible for the children is committed and caring. The staff aim to create a homely feel to the house and ensure the children’s happiness and well-being; there is always an adult available to talk to. The house system varies slightly at each school, but generally a boarding house has a Housemaster or Housemistress (or House Parents) in charge, a Deputy Housemaster or Housemistress, a matron and house tutors (responsible for academic matters and pastoral concerns). A child will generally become very loyal to and proud of his or her particular house.
HOLIDAYS
Each term is divided by a week or 10 days of holiday, known as half-term, during which the school closes and all pupils go back home (or to stay with friends or family). There are generally 3 weeks’ holiday at Christmas and 3 weeks at Easter. The Easter holidays move according to the date of Easter Day so that it falls during the holidays and not during school time. Exact holiday dates will vary between schools.
CONTACT
Parents can contact the school at all times. Whilst most children will have a mobile telephone and computer and can call or email their parents, they are often too busy to do so. If a parent has any concerns or queries, or simply wants to have an update on their child, they can reach the housemaster, housemistress or tutor by telephone or email. The school website generally has a list of email addresses for all members of staff which can be used if a parent has a particular question or comment to make.
FAQ
Click here for a quick guide to some of the things on offer at a British boarding school.
Schools - application form
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FAQs
1. What is the best age for my child to go to boarding school?
This really depends on each child, but ideally, the younger the better, in order to make the smoothest progress in English. However, your child must be ready to spend time away from home and feel comfortable at boarding school in order to make the most of the experience. Take into account that the school work becomes more demanding in the final years and a certain amount of time is spent preparing and taking exams.
2. If my child can only spend one term at boarding school, which is the best term?
The third (Summer) term is the most popular term for short stays. The days are longer, which means that a great deal of time is spent outside playing sports and there are also a number of fun activities to celebrate the end of the school year. However, there are often a number of exams and therefore pupils may be following an adapted timetable. There will also be a number of other international pupils who arrive for just the summer term.
The first (Autumn) term can be a good option: it is a long term, there are no exams and fewer short-term international pupils.
3. How will my child be able to follow lessons in English?
There may be a short adjustment period while he or she adapts to the new language, but the small class sizes allow for a certain amount of individual attention for each pupil. Schools also arrange specialist English lessons for international pupils (EAL/EFL); these are either optional or compulsory (and sometimes included in the fees or charged as an extra).
4. Will my child sleep in a dormitory?
No, dormitories no longer exist. The youngest pupils generally share a room with 4-6 other children; older children are in rooms of two, and the most senior pupils will have single rooms. This will vary from school to school.
5. How much are boarding school fees?
For the school year 2018/2019:
Prep school fees are between £7,500 – £9,250 per term
Public (Senior) school fees are between £9,500 – £12,500 per term
6. When do the fees have to be paid?
To register a child at a school there is a fee of between £50-£200
To accept a place at a school there is a deposit of between £500-£3,000. This is refunded at the end of your child’s stay.
School fees are paid before the beginning of each term.
7. How many pupils are there in each class?
The average number is generally 15. This will decrease in the final years of school and will vary according to the subject.
8. What happens at the week-end?
The boarders who stay at the week-end will do activities, sports and go on outings. Some schools have lessons on Saturday followed by sports (matches against other schools for those in a school team). Pupils may be allowed to go home on Saturday evenings.
Some time will also be spent just relaxing in house – as your child would do at home.
9. How will my child get to the school?
Parents are responsible for arranging transport to the nearest airport or train station on the dates given by the school. The school can organise an escorted transfer from the airport/station to the school with a qualified driver. This will be either a school bus, mini-bus or taxi – and shared if there are other pupils travelling at the same time. The cost will be charged to the parents’ account and deducted from the deposit payment. Of course, parents can accompany their child to the school independently if they wish.
10. How can I contact my child?
Children are allowed to bring mobile phones to school, which can be used at certain times; the rules will vary at each school and according to the age of the child. He or she will also be given an email address and will have access to a school computer*, which can also be used for Skype. It is highly recommended that parents do not contact their child too frequently, so that they can settle in to school life and make friends without being distracted. Parents can contact the Housemaster/Housemistress by telephone or email at all times. *At most senior schools, pupils will need to bring their own computer.
And one last question……
Isn’t British school food horrible?
Not anymore. Nowadays, there is a large choice of food, including salads, soups and vegetarian dishes. The teachers eat the same food as the pupils.
Camps
We have included as much information as possible here, to ease the process. However, if there is anything that is not clear, please contact us for assistance.
Camps Information
LENGTH OF STAY
This can be from one week to two months. If your child does wish to stay in England for two months during the summer, it would be possible to divide the time between several camps. School Britannia can suggest a few camps which offer holidays during the Easter holidays or during the month of June, but the majority of summer schools or camps run from the beginning of July to mid August, to coincide with the British school holidays.
LOCATION
The summer camps recommended by School Britannia are set in rural areas throughout Great Britain, but there is also the possibility to enrol in summer schools in well-known university towns such as Oxford and Cambridge and also London. Some of the larger summer schools are based in well-known private schools in order to make use of their exceptional facilities; others in smaller properties within the unspoiled British countryside, far from noise, pollution and the clamour of city life.
School Britannia also offers placements in a handful of summer camps in Ireland and the USA.
ACTIVITIES
There is a wide choice. The camps specialising in outdoor pursuits offer a wealth of activities. These range from riding, tennis, swimming and surfing to gorge walking, abseiling, mountain biking, rafting, high rope courses and many, many more. All are run by qualified instructors and each camp has the statutory national safety certifications. Other, more specialised summer schools include dance centres, film schools, sailing courses, or cricket academies. There is something for everyone.
It is also possible to find summer schools specialising in improving a child’s academic English; these dynamic courses include tuition in interviewing techniques, university orientation and applications, debating and life skills.
FEES
Prices start at £800 per week (2018/2019)
SUMMER CAMP LIFE
School Britannia aims to find much more than just a language holiday for your child. His or her experience promises to be varied, stimulating and inspirational. He or she will learn to work better as an individual within a team and have a great deal of fun whilst improving his or her English. Children are generally divided into groups according to their date of birth; the age spread across the residential camps is between 7 and 18 years old, with some camps specialising in certain age ranges. There will be plenty of new friends to be made. The schedule of each camp varies, but one thing is certain: your child will never be bored, never left alone in a corner and never be denied the opportunity to join in.
ENGLISH LESSONS
English lessons are generally offered at most summer schools and activity camps to consolidate the English learnt outside the classroom.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Many summer schools and camps offer a group pick-up at the beginning and end of each week, from an allocated airport or train station, depending on the location of the summer camp. Any travel outside these times can be arranged on an individual basis and will be charged accordingly.
Camps - application form
* If you don’t receive a response from us within 48 hours, please call 06 82 38 86 92 to check that your enquiry has actually arrived. Thank you!
Or send a new email directly to