Home - Guide - Boarding Schools

Around 700 boarding schools, both single-sex and co-educational, offer places. Most also admit a number of day pupils. Boarders enjoy benefits such as close and long-lasting friendships and immediate access to staff who can assist with studies. There is usually also an excellent range of facilities and activities offered.

In recent years uk boarding has become more flexible in line with demand. Most full-boarding schools in the uk have a system of exeats (weekends out) that allow pupils to go home for short visits on a flexible basis. Many boarding schools now offer flexi- and weekly boarding options, enabling pupils to spend more time with their families. In some schools, pupils may board for just half the week, or sleep over on an occasional basis if the need arises.

Standards of care and accommodation are generally very high, as schools have continued to invest in new and upgraded boarding facilities. Many pupils now share well-decorated bedrooms in small groups and are encouraged to make their rooms feel homely. Sixth-form students often have single-study bedrooms in their own accommodation block and are allowed a greater degree of freedom to encourage a sense of responsibility and to prepare them for adult life.

House staff usually comprise a Housemaster or Housemistress, a qualified matron and one or two assistants who are always on hand to ensure your child's welfare and happiness.

State-maintained and grant-maintained boarding schools

There are around 35 state-maintained or grant-maintained schools that accept boarding pupils. UK and EU nationals with a right of residence in the UK pay only for the cost of boarding at these schools and are not charged for tuition. In 2003/2004 parents can expect to pay annual fees of between £2,500 and £9,500 at a day preparatory school or £10,000 to £15,000 for boarding. At senior level fees range from about £6,500 to £14,000 at day schools, or £15,000 to £20,000 for a boarding.

You'll be reassured to know that the UK is the first choice for many parents considering an international education for their child.

The UK's reputation has been built up over centuries. But our continuing success comes from the UK's ability to adapt to modern teaching methods and facilities without discarding traditional values and proven approaches to learning.

Whether your child is coming to the UK for a short taste of British school life or for long-term study, schools and colleges are able to offer:

Successful routes to university
Whilst a UK boarding school or college education will give your child the best possible route to university, its aim is always to bring out the best in students whatever their abilities or ambitions.

High academic standards
With small class sizes and well-planned resources, many independent schools and colleges are top of the league tables for GCSE, Scottish Higher and A-level results.

A chance to learn English at an early age
It's a unique chance for your child to live and study alongside children from the UK, Europe and around the world, learning English through everyday experience as well as from teachers. An opportunity they may not have in later life.

Huge extra-curricular choice
A well rounded character is the ideal product of any educational system. UK boarding schools and colleges encourage pupils to develop a wide range of sporting and non-academic interests - characteristics sought after by employers and universities - alongside their studies.

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