Sometimes getting started with a new chapter in your child’s education can be very daunting. If you are struggling then you need look no further as our education consultants have kindly put together 5 important things every parent needs to know for a successful boarding school application. This list is a great tool to use as a checklist if you feel a little lost in the process and need reassurance that you are on the right track.
Navigating the education system can be confusing, so our team is here to help assist you with your boarding school application, contact us today.
Get your entry year and child’s age right
A child’s age for each academic school is calculated between 1st September and 31st August. E.g. for the school year September 2024 to August 2025, a child born on the 6th of September 2012 turns 12 on the 6th of September 2024. They would start school in September 2024 in year 7. (A child in year 7 turns 12 during the school year.)
Current Age | Future Age 1st Sept - 31st Aug | UK School Year | Type of School | Notes |
7 | 8 | 3 | Prep | (Not all Schools) |
8 | 9 | 4 | Prep | Start 5-year Prep School |
9 | 10 | 5 | Prep | Register at Senior Schools |
10 | 11 | 6 | Prep | 11+ & Pre-tests for 13+ |
11 | 12 | 7 | Prep/Senior | Pre-tests for 13+ |
12 | 13 | 8 | Last year Prep | Last year of Prep/CE exams |
13 | 14 | 9 | Entry Senior | |
14 | 15 | 10 | Senior | 2-year GCSE courses |
15 | 16 | 11 | Senior | GCSE exams, 1-year pre-Sixth Form |
16 | 17 | 12 | Sixth Form | 2-year A-Level/IB/PreU/BTEC |
17 | 18 | 13 | Sixth Form | UCAS applications, final exams |
For more help and to calculate your child’s educational age head over to our What School Year Calculator.
Boarding school entry years
7/8+ start of boarding prep
11+ last two years of prep/start of some senior schools
13+ entry year to senior schools
15+ entry to 1-year pre-sixth-form courses
16+ entry year to sixth form
3 words to describe your perfect school
A great exercise to help narrow down the best school for your child is to bullet point the keywords that would describe your perfect school. Once you have completed that task, choose the 3 most important.
Following this, list keywords that best describe your family and child, also narrowing them down to the 3 most important words and remembering them, cross-referencing them against the schools you are considering.
Here are some examples below:
School | Family/Child |
Supportive | Loving |
Academically challenging | Friendly |
Location | Competitive |
Safe | Academic |
Sporty | Confident |
Creative | Inclusive |
Doing these two simple tasks will help find your child the perfect match for a school.
Getting the academic level and opportunities right
Challenging, yet realistic
Learning support if required
English level if it’s a second language
Subjects offered
Talents to nurture
Current school reports (up to 2 years)
CAT4 or other assessment scores
Sporting or other achievements
Ed psych or other reports as relevant
What outcome are you hoping for?
University or career ambitions
Senior School entry ambitions at 13+
Broaden opportunities and build confidence
Learn English and cultural awareness
Setting clear goals and outcomes can help with narrowing down the choice.
Considering your child’s personality
Competitive vs. Nurturing
Country vs. City
Co-ed vs. Single sex
Big vs. Small
Traditional vs. Less Formal
British vs. International approach
How our education consultants can help with your boarding school application
Considering a boarding school for your child? Our independent education consultants can help you choose the right school to enhance your child's talents and assist you with the boarding school application. Find out more by contacting us today.