International Boarding Handbook
Over 380 years of history at your fingertips...
New Hall School is one of the oldest Catholic schools in the UK, founded in Liège, Belgium, in 1642. Since 1799, the School has been located on a stunning and historic 70-acre campus, close to the vibrant city of Chelmsford, in Essex. Boasting the magnificent Tudor Palace of Beaulieu, formerly owned by King Henry VIII, New Hall has also been home to both Mary Tudor and Oliver Cromwell during its time.
Exceptional location
New Hall is based in an exceptional location for our students arriving from overseas, as we are just 30 minutes from central London by train, 30 minutes from City and Stansted international airports and approximately one hour from Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. A new train station with direct services to London and East Anglia is due to open in 2025 at the foot of New Hall’s Avenue, a short walk from the School.
Welcoming International Students
New Hall has a long and well-established tradition of educating students from all over the world and has a wide network of global alumni. Our international students make a major contribution to the richness and diversity of community life and we welcome applications from overseas students, whether joining us as full boarders or relocating to the UK.
As a Catholic boarding and day school, we welcome students from all faiths and none, building a Christian community that has at its heart prayer and service to others. Educating students from Nursery age through to Sixth Form (ages 1 to 19), academic excellence is achieved in surroundings where relationships are based on care, trust and respect.
New Hall School operates the highly successful ‘diamond model’, where students are educated in co-educational classes from ages 1 to 11 and at Sixth Form. However, from ages 11 to 16 they are taught in single-sex lessons. Teachers at New Hall are passionate about their subjects, contributing to an all-round culture of success. The school is known for its distinctive academic initiatives, such as the unique immersive language learning in its Cookery Department, where students cook while learning French or Spanish. We also offer EAP (English for Academic Purposes) support for our international pupils, to support them in their academic studies.
Students excel in a wide range of sports, including athletics, basketball, cricket, football, golf, hockey, horse riding, netball, skiing, swimming, tennis, and rugby. Musicians have numerous performance opportunities across many genres, while dancers are part of one of the UK’s most successful dance schools. Our recently reopened Equestrian Centre, featuring advanced simulators and an outdoor arena, reflects New Hall’s commitment to offering diverse co-curricular activities that inspire leadership, personal growth, and a lifelong love of learning.
I look forward to welcoming you to New Hall.
Mrs K Jeffrey PRINCIPAL
Scan to review our recent ISI inspection highlights (February 2024)
New Hall At A Glance
Henry VIII’s Tudor palace!
New Hall
In Numbers
students (aged 1-19)
886
1357 boarders 306 student nationalities 29 of leavers attend Russell Group/Top 20 universities 85% international trips in 2023-24 20 students (aged 11-19)
30 minute train to London
CAMBRIDGE
Why Choose New Hall?
astronomy club, farm club, symphony orchestra, dance, gospel,
100+
clubs & societies
economics society, cookery, drama productions, football, jazz
53% of grades at 7+ (A*-A) at GCSE in 2024
Academic Results
52% of grades at A*-A at A Level in 2024
Exeat weekends are optional
Co-Curricular Programme
70-acre campus including... national standard athletics track floodlit Astroturf pitches and basketball courts fitness suite
8 floodlit tennis and netball courts cricket, football and rugby pitches new International Business & Languages Centre 25-metre 6-lane indoor swimming pool historic Chapel performing arts centre Learn to Ride centre
School farm with goats, rabbits, horses and more!
Boarding at New Hall
Our students benefit from exceptional boarding provision and outstanding facilities. We offer flexible, weekly and full boarding across all four of our Boarding Houses.
Boarders enjoy an exciting programme of activities during the evenings and at weekends. Trips, events and opportunities are planned for each age group and in recent terms have included regular visits to London (National Gallery, Van Gogh Exhibition, Spitalfields Market), discos, cookery, cinema, cultural and themed evenings, escape rooms, formal dinners, frisbee, go-karting, Leith Cookery Course, ‘Nuclear High Ropes’, quiz nights, sushi-making, university trips, yoga and Zorbing.
Boarders make the most of supervised study time and opportunities for academic support from specialist staff, ranging from Mathematics and the Sciences, to Languages, Humanities and Music.
A wide range of sports activities are offered across the week, including swimming, gym, 5-a-side football, basketball and more, led by our boarding staff and sports coaches.
Creative activities also feature, alongside access to the gym for senior students, library, Walkfares Performing Arts Centre plus expert tuition from our Music Department.
Our Boarding Team is dedicated to ensuring that every student feels part of our community. Each House has a strong sense of family that makes our boarders feel welcome, valued and happy. They provide the supportive atmosphere needed for each child to excel in all aspects of their lives.
BOARDING HOUSES
Boarders’ Testimonials
Mayara | Full boarder from UAE
Started at New Hall in 2022
“My experience at New Hall has been really enjoyable and educational. The Boarding House helped me with all of my worries and needs throughout the year. There is a wide range of staff in Boarding who specialise in specific subjects and help me do my study and understand the work. The boarding staff are always up for a chat and it’s nice to think of them as more of a friend than a teacher. Full boarding from Year 7 has really helped me become more independent than most younger people. I have friends from all year groups and have a really close relationship with the older girls.”
Prajjawol | Full boarder from Nepal
Started at New Hall in 2017, Head Boy 2023-24
“What I like about the Sixth Form is the amount of support we get before we go to university. I board because my parents are part of the military, that means they move around a lot, so we looked for a perfect school that also offers boarding. When you first enter New Hall, expect to see the amazing facilities here and the historic buildings, and be overwhelmed by the kindness of teachers and the friendliness of students. All the years are integrated together and everyone knows each other. ”
Chloe
| Full boarder from Hong Kong
Started at New Hall in 2022
“Boarding has been an amazing experience for me. The boarding staff are so welcoming, and they have done a great job making Dennett House a second home for all of us. My favourite aspect about boarding will be the socials we have with Campion every Wednesday. It gives us an opportunity to not only bond with the girls in our House but also the boys from the other Sixth Form House. We’ve had different events like quizzes, basketball matches, the ‘Pancake Race’, formals. They have all been successful and very enjoyable.”
Filip| Full boarder from North Macedonia
Started at New Hall in 2023
“As a new student at New Hall, I have felt very welcomed by both boarders and staff. Boarding provides an excellent balance between studying and a social life, with both academic support and social events taking place. The boarders are very welcoming, regardless of if you have boarded before or are a newcomer. The staff are open minded and caring, and you can always have a good laugh with them. You can truly experience and live New Hall’s ethos by being a boarder. There is a real sense of belonging and community within the House, the importance of which cannot be understated.”
Academic Subjects
The New Hall curriculum is distinctive in its breadth and academic rigour. An imaginatively taught and well-balanced curriculum is appropriately tailored to the needs of each student.
Subjects GCSE (ages 14-16) A Level (ages 16-18)
Fine Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Classical Greek
Combined Science
Computer Science
Drama and Theatre
Economics
English Language
English Literature
Academic Project
Qualification
French
Geography
History
Latin
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Music
Photography
Physical Education
Politics
Psychology
Spanish
Theology
DELF/DELE
BTEC Sport
From Year 7 (age 11), students are timetabled over two weeks in the following subjects: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cookery, Drama, English, Geography, History, Language (French or Spanish), Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, PSHEE, Theology, plus two sports sessions each week. This is supplemented by an extensive range of challenging co-curricular activities, which take place at lunchtimes and after school each day.
EAP
All non-native speakers can study EAP (English for Academic Purposes) and are supported to achieve EAL (English as an Additional Language) qualifications.
Skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are developed through a variety of topics. Teaching materials used include clips from television and radio programmes, videos, articles, and material from the internet. As well as improving their language, EAP students learn about life in Britain and British culture.
The Cambridge ESOL examinations take place twice a year, dependent on student requirements. Students are entered for the examination commensurate with their English language ability, and our success rate is high.
While the A2 Key for Schools and B1 Preliminary for Schools are usually attained at the end of one year of study, two years of preparation are generally necessary for the B2 First for Schools and C1 Advanced examinations, where 60% is required for a pass. IGCSE English as a Second Language is available as an alternative to GCSE English.
In the Sixth Form, all students are prepared to take the English language qualifications which are required for university entry, eg IELTS.
Trips
New Hall organises a variety of enriching trips throughout the academic year to broaden our students’ horizons. These can be really beneficial for our international boarders to enrich their academic, cultural, and social experience.
Trips include academic, chaplaincy, dance, music and sports camps in the UK and overseas (some by selection and some compulsory if studying that subject), both in term time and during the School holidays. Trips are organised and shared with parents with good notice, so they can be factored in when organising travel arrangements. Boarders also enjoy a variety of cultural and recreational weekend trips, including tours of London, Cambridge and Oxford, as well as trips to museums, adventure centres and theme parks.
Recent international trips included a Theology trip to India, a Business trip to the USA, a Geography trip to Iceland, Chaplaincy, Music and Language trips to Spain, and a Sport trip to South Africa. Upcoming trips in 2025-26 include a Ski trip to Canada, a History and Politics trip to USA, a Cricket tour to UAE, and a pilgrimage to Italy.
Admissions Process
Initial Enquiry
Please send us a copy of your child’s two most recent school reports, including their level of English, plus a colour copy of their passport. Once reviewed, and if we are able to consider your child, we will ask you to complete our registration form.
Assessment Stage
Once registered, we will send through assessment details. Assessments must be sat under examination conditions and with appropriate invigilation. Students can complete the assessments at their current school, an agency office, or at the local British Council offices. Students will also be required to have an interview, which can be completed online. Assessment details for each Year Group can be found on the next page.
Visa Assistance
If your child requires a visa to study in the UK, we will liaise with you to ensure you have the correct information for your application. We can also recommend our immigration lawyers if you require assistance with this.
Registering
Please complete our registration form and return it with payment of £176.
Offer Decision & Acceptance
Should your child be successful in receiving an offer, we will send the offer letter together with supporting documentation for completion. To accept the offer, we will need to receive the completed Acceptance Form and the required deposit (one term’s fees for stays of over a year) by the deadline stated in the offer letter.
New Starter Information
Information will be sent to you during the term before entry, to ensure you have everything you need. This includes uniform, contact information, permissions and handbooks, to ensure a smooth transition into our School community. Scan to see our Fees page
Preparatory Division - Years 3 - 6 (ages 7-11)
Yr 3
Yr 4
Yr 5
Yr 6
If space available
Assessments:
• 1 hour English knowledge assessment
• 45 minute English written assessment
• 30 minute Maths assessment
• English language interview
In the New Hall Preparatory Division, we know that children excel academically when they are inspired to learn. Our curriculum is delivered through a range of exciting and engaging topics and built upon a progressive ladder of skills. At all ages, our curriculum is enriched by specialist subject teachers. The expert knowledge of our teachers and their passion for their subjects greatly enhance the children’s learning experience.
Middle & Upper Divisions - Years 7 - 11 (ages 11-16)
Yr 7 - Competitive entry point
Yr 8 - If space available
Yr 9 - Competitive entry point
Yr 10 - If space available
Yr 11 - N/A
Assessments:
• 1 hour English knowledge assessment
• 30 minute English written assessment
• 1 hour Maths assessment
• interview
At New Hall, we operate a highly successful ‘diamond model’ structure, i.e. co-education in the Preparatory Divisions (ages 1-11), single-sex education in the Boys’ Division and Girls’ Division (11-16) and co-education in the Sixth Form (16-18). In this way, New Hall provides the best of both worlds: the benefits of a co-educational environment together with the advantages of girls and boys being taught separately at Key Stages 3 and 4. The provision of single-sex education during formative years enables students to grow in confidence, whilst enjoying an education that is specifically tailored and that recognises the different ways in which girls and boys learn.
Sixth Form - Years 12 - 13 (ages 16-19)
Yr 12 - Competitive entry point
Yr 13 - N/A
Assessments:
• 1 hour English knowledge assessment
• 30 minute English written assessment
• 1 hour Maths assessment
• interview
The Sixth Form experience at New Hall is about expanding horizons, both in students’ specialist areas of study and more generally in terms of their awareness of the world and personal development. Students are encouraged to nurture interests, to meet challenges, to assume responsibilities and to gain qualifications – and to aspire to excellence in all that they do. We prepare students not just for university, but also for life beyond it. The opportunities here are vast; it is these experiences that will help distinguish each student’s application for university or other opportunities and help shape their future.
English Language Guidelines
For students to succeed academically, we expect the following CEFR (Common European framework of Reference for Languages) levels if they are going to be sitting GCSEs or A Levels at New Hall. However, we consider every application on its individual merit, and may accept lower levels for short term or one-year stays.
Guardians
Parents of students at New Hall School, who are residents outside the UK, must appoint a guardian for their child in the UK. This is the case for all students, irrelevant of age. Educational guardians provide extra support to students, ensuring their welfare in and out of School and are often used as a base during half-terms and holidays when the School is closed. An Educational Guardian acts as the overseas parents’ representative in the UK and is independent of the School. The types of services they offer include; arranging homestay accommodation and airport transfers, attending parents’ evenings and generally supporting the student during their stay in the UK.
An Educational Guardian may be a family member (must be over 25), a family friend, a guardianship agency, a host family, or other responsible adult based in the UK. They cannot be an employee of the School that the child is attending. Most overseas parents use a guardianship agency to act as Educational Guardian. We recommend that they are registered with AEGIS, which is the UK governing body whose purpose is to safeguard the welfare of international students whilst they are in the UK.
Admissions Contact
Please contact our Admissions Team to discuss your child’s application to New Hall at any stage of the admissions process. We understand what a huge undertaking it is to send your child overseas and we will support you to make the process as seamless as possible.
Email admissions@newhallschool.co.uk
Telephone +44 (0) 1245 236 098
2024 Boarders’ Results
Alice A (Chemistry), A (Biology), A (Mathematics)
University of Bristol, Veterinary Science
Lawrencia
A (Classical Greek), A (Latin), A (English Literature)
University of Oxford, Classics with Asian & Middle Eastern Studies
Haris A* (Theology), A (Politics), A (English Literature)
University of Cambridge
Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion
Carson A* (Further Maths), A* (Mathematics), A (Chemistry) A (Physics)
University of East Anglia, Medicine
Daniel A* (Theology)
A* (Economics) A* (Mathematics)
University of Warwick, Economics
Oleksandr A (Computer Science), A (Physics), A (Mathematics) B (Further Mathematics)
Stanford University, Computer Science
Millie A* (Economics), A* (Mathematics), A* (Chinese) A (Music)
University of Manchester, Economics & Data Analytics
Pandora A* (Economics), A* (Geography), A (Psychology)
University of Bristol, Geography
Oxbridge Success
In recent years, students have been successful in gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge to read the following (in some instances, more than one New Hallian attended the same college for the same subject):
Architecture, Darwin College, Cambridge
Classics, Newnham College, Cambridge
Economics with Finance, Gonville & Caius, Cambridge Engineering, Jesus College, Cambridge English, Newnham College, Cambridge
French & Spanish, Clare College, Cambridge History, Downing College, Cambridge History, Trinity College, Cambridge HSPS, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Law, Emmanuel College, Cambridge Medicine, Robinson College, Cambridge Medicine, St John’s College, Cambridge Spanish with Russian, Churchill College, Cambridge
Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion, Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge Veterinary Medicine, Girton College, Cambridge
DID YOU KNOW?
Old Fish, Professor Pippa Rogerson (New Hall, 1972-1977) is the first female Master of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. Here she is, pictured above with fellow Oxbridge Old Fishes, Mrs Jeffrey and Mr Goulding, at New Hall’s annual Oxbridge Dinner in September 2024.
Biochemistry, Hertford College, Oxford Biological Sciences, St Catherine’s College, Oxford
Classics, Regent’s College, Oxford History, Exeter College, Oxford Law, Magdalen College, Oxford Mathematics, St Peter’s College, Oxford Music, St Peter’s College, Oxford Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Christ Church, Oxford
Theology & Religion, Mansfield College, Oxford
Theology & Religion, Keble College, Oxford
Classics and Middle Eastern & Asian Studies, Oriel College, Oxford
Old Fish, Dr Tahir Khan (New Hall, 2013-2015) speaks to prospective STEM Oxbridge applicants in New Hall’s new Sixth Form International Business & Languages Centre
Oxbridge Society students at the University of Oxford Open Day 2024
Leavers’ Destinations
TOP COURSE CHOICES OF NEW HALL’S 2024 LEAVERS
Law, Politics & International Relations (18)
Economics, Accountancy & Finance (14)
Biological/Biomedical Sciences (12)
History, Ancient History & Classics (8)
Theology & Philosophy (8)
Business & Management (7)
Medicine, Vet Medicine & Clinical Sciences (7)
Architecture, Art & Design (6)
Mathematics & Computer Science (6)
Engineering & Physics (5)
Geography & Environmental Studies (5)
Sport & Exercise Sciences (5)
English/Journalism (3)
Psychology & Sociology (3)
Timings of the Day
Senior Divisions (ages 11-19)*
Time
7.30am - 8.00am Boarders’ breakfast
8.20am - 8.40am Assemblies / Tutorial
8.45am - 9.40am Period 1
9.45am - 10.40am Period 2
10.40am - 11.00am Morning Break
11.00am - 11.55am Period 3
12.00pm - 12.55pm Period 4
12.55pm - 2.05pm Lunch
12.55pm - 1.30pm Lunch 1 Activity
1.30pm - 2.15pm Lunch 2 Activity
2.20pm - 3.15pm Period 5
3.20pm - 4.15pm Period 6
4.15pm End of school day
4.15pm - 4.30pm Boarders return to Houses; snack time
4.30pm - 5.30pm Co-curricular activities / Junior Houses’ supervised study / Senior Houses’ rest and social time
5.45pm - 6.45pm Boarders’ supper
7.00pm - 8.30pm Junior Houses’ Activities / Senior Houses’ independent study time
8.30pm - 10.00pm Junior Houses’ bedtime routines / Senior Houses’ activities
10.00pm Senior Houses’ lights out
*Please note that the Preparatory Divisions’ (ages 7-11) school day timings differ slightly from those in the Senior Divisions in the middle of the day, while boarding timings remain the same.
Academic Dates
2024 - 2025
