Schools Guide

Schools by County

SHOW ALL Bath & North East SomersetBedfordshireBerkshireBristolBuckinghamshireCambridgeshireCarmarthenshireConwyCornwallCounty DurhamCumbriaDenbighshireDerbyshireDevonDorsetEast SussexEssexGloucestershireHampshireHerefordshireHertfordshireIsle of ManIsle of WightKentLancashireLeicestershireLincolnshireLondonMiddlesexMonmouthshireNorfolkNorthamptonshireNorthumberlandNottinghamshireOxfordshirePowysRutlandScotlandShropshireSomersetStaffordshireSuffolkSurreyWarwickshireWest MidlandsWest SussexWiltshireWorcestershireYorkshire SHOW ALL

Foreword

When we in the Forces take the decision to send our children to boarding schools, there are always doubts. Will the school we have chosen provide the stability that we believe our children requiremore

Introduction

"We in the Services have three options: our children have a disruptive education; we board; or we live apart from our families. None of these is ideal for most people". Such was a recent indictment of the choice facing Service parents starting to educate theirmore

Articles

The Education of Service Children - the boarding option - Introduction Service Children's Education (SCE) CEAS

Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) The Continuity of Education Allowance (Boarding) Childcare voucher scheme CEA Eligibility certificate application process Specific learning difficulties

Boarding?

Boarding Or Day? Boarding Or Day? - The Pros and Cons Boarding School Inspections

Choosing a School

Selecting a School Difficult choices, but help is at hand The challenges facing parents who work overseas School Visits - Questions & Answers League tables - best used as only one of a series of factors League tables - what else should parents be looking for?

Government Funded Boarding Schools

Ministry of Defence funded schools Queen Victoria School (Scotland) Welbeck - The Defence Sixth Form College What A Gem - 35 State Boarding Schools Boarding School - not likely

Boarding at an Independent School

The merits of boarding at an Independent School Choosing an Independent School is a very personal process The case for continuity The moral and spiritual climate in a boarding community The extra-curricular challenge Duke of Edinburugh Award Scheme Former pupil, former parent provides a sporting perspective School sport Housemasters - with the benefit of a Service background

Types of boarding School

The advantages of starting boarding in a Preparatory School In loco parents The Preparatory School Parent partnership What the pupils and parents think Single-sex or co-Education? The pros and cons Equal, but different Why girls' schools rock 'The key is the child and what the child will want' Having it all Strong role models in boys boarding schools Single-sex education, then and now The advantages of choosing a diamond school

Specialist Schools

Special schools - nurturing special talents and abilities Special educational needs and additional needs An independent specialist provision school An Independent Specialist Needs School

The Sixth Form

Sixth-form choices - the threats to the gold standard The sixth-form examinations - the choice

Whatever next?

Whatever next? University applications and gap years Why global volunteering could be the best gap year option The University and Colleges Admission Service

Overseas

Overseas schools

Pupils and parents

The pupils The parents

Paying the fees

Paying the school fees ranks second only to paying one’s mortgage and, as such, this is a real attention-grabbing subject. Sending a child off to a fee-paying school means not only a major financial 2006: more

Special Awards

Looking specifically at grants and awards for children of those in the Armed Forces the ISBI lists some 200 schools. The following list has been specifically researched from the Independent more

From the editor

Ian Jones' career includes eleven years as Head Master of Bedford School, two years as the Director of Studies at Britannia Royal Naval College more

Useful information

 

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A Guide to the School Application Process

• • Carry out research into possible schools
  
  • If possible, visit schools at least a year before the proposed entry date
  
  • Complete application form
  
  • Register with school
  
  • Pay deposit/application fee during the year before entry (or earlier)
  
  • Prepare for entrance examinations/tests/interviews
  
  • Sit entrance/scholarship examinations at agreed location
  
  • If possible visit the school for interview during spring and summer term before entry
  
  • Prepare for entry and complete all essential paperwork
  
  • Purchase school uniform and items on clothing list during the summer term or holidays before entry
  
  • Enter school
  
  • Receive school induction at beginning of the autumn term
  
  School visits: what to look for

• • Do the children seem happy and purposefully engaged in activity?
  
  • Are staff and children talking and working together?
  
  • Are the children well mannered and courteous?
  
  • How is discipline maintained?
  
  • How, and with what frequency, does the school communicate with parents?
  
  • How does the school monitor each child's progress?
  
  • What provision is made for children with learning difficulties?
  
  • How many children are there in each class?
  
  • What emphasis is placed on art, drama, music, sport?
  
  • Are the facilities well maintained?
  
  • Is there a high turnover of staff members?
  
  • What is the balance between newly qualified and experienced staff, and the number of specialist teachers (especially in preparatory schools)?
  
  • What pastoral care system is in place?
  
  • What is the school's policy on bullying and drugs?