UK BOARDING SCHOOLS A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018
Beyond knowledge acquisition
Find the best boarding school for your child in the UK
Why the UK’s Pre School Baccalaureate programme is right for your child By Philip Moore
From terminology to facilities, courses and the importance of location, there is a lot of information parents need to digest before pinpointing the school of choice for their child in the UK. By Fiona Mckenzie
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By Fiona Mckenzie
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ritish boarding schools are renowned across the globe for the high quality education they offer, for the ethos and values that they instil in their pupils, the blend of tradition and innovation and for the wide range of opportunities beyond the academic curriculum that are available to all of their students. There are over 1,200 fee paying schools in the UK so it can be hard to know where to begin when you are thinking about educating your child in a UK boarding school and there are lots of factors to consider. Firstly, there is the terminology to get used to – Public schools, contrary to their name, are actually fee paying private schools and are run independently. Pre Prep and Prep schools educate children from the age of about 4 – 13, ‘preparing’ them for their Public or Senior school. Then there is the admissions system to work out, for many academically selective schools this process can start as early as Year 5, even
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though a child would not be taking up a place until Year 9; 6th form applications tend to close early in the Autumn term in Year 11. Before applying it is important to establish if your child is the right academic profile for these schools with assessments such as the Ukiset test. With such a variety of schools to choose from it is useful to work out some key criteria – are you looking for a single sex environment or one that offers co-education? Maybe location is important if you would like the school to be close to relatives or to a convenient airport? The ethos and values of the school can be critical in making the decision – are you looking for a school with small class sizes and a cosy family environment
or would your child enjoy the cut and thrust of a bigger school? Would you like your child to be surrounded by beautiful British countryside or to be based in a town with all the associated amenities? Curriculum choices are also key, particularly when it comes to looking at 6th form. Is your child going to enjoy the in depth study of A Levels or the broader choices offered with IB or even look at more vocationally orientated options such as BTECs? So why do over 26,000 international students study in British boarding schools? Academic results are certainly key – nearly 20% or all A*’s at A Level are awarded to students in fee paying schools. This is helped by small class sizes, high quality teaching
and the wide range of subjects that are taught. But equally families are attracted by the hidden curriculum which is embedded in the boarding environment; team working, taking responsibility, communicating with a broad social range, learning about resilience. British boarding schools will enable your child to learn both academically and grow in a stimulating, diverse and action packed environment which will help them become more self confident, independent and resilient young people. — The writer is Director of Gabbitas Middle East, an educational consultancy firm. For more information call +971 (0)44516933 or mail Fiona.mckenzie@ gabbitas.ae
odern life will require much of the children we are educating today. To be Philip successful in later life Moore they will need to be creative, flexible and have the capacity to deal with new situations. If schools are to prepare their pupils to make the most of opportunities that come along then a school curriculum has to be more than the acquisition of knowledge. The PSB is a national organisation that recognises the importance of these skills and brings together like-minded schools. Its baccalaureate programme focuses on communication, collaboration and leadership while also highlighting the importance of selfreflection as a way of improvement. Ryde School, as a member of PSB, has built its Year 7 & 8 programme around these ideals. Without the pressure of external exams, years 7 & 8 are a time where pupils should be encouraged to take risks with their learning to develop an ability to work independently as well as part of a team. At Ryde School the principles of PSB run through all aspects of the education from the classroom to the sports field. Committed to developing skills, the school provides pupils with opportunities such as debating, sailing and outdoor survival skills. In the classroom the baccalaureate has rigour and challenge and recognises the importance of knowledge. Pupils learn how to critically review their work and improve until the end result is of the highest standard. The approach brings out a child’s natural curiosity and encourages a sense of ‘what if?’. By the end of year 8 pupils at Ryde School are ready to take on the demands that the next stage of their academic career will bring. Since its start in 2012 PSB has grown year on year as schools recognise the importance of providing their pupils with an education that fits with 21st Century living. Being part of this organisation means Ryde School is part of a network that shares a common commitment to the importance of skills for life. — The writer is Director of Education for PSB and Deputy Head, Academic at Ryde School
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A co-educational environment vs an all-girls school, what would you choose as a parent?
Why a holistic education would be beneficial to your child in the long run
Be sure to attend the UK Boarding School Exhibition in Dubai this November