How do I apply to a top British boarding school to start in year 9 at age 13?
For many parents, jumping straight into a boarding school education long term can feel like a step too far, especially when you did not board yourself, or already have your child in a British international school closer to home. Many British boarding schools offer the opportunity to join a summer course for a few weeks, or to commit only to a short period of study at boarding school, from one term to a year. This can be an ideal way of trying boarding, before making a long-term commitment. Summer courses can also provide focussed and experienced teaching, to prepare children for up-coming boarding school entry tests and interviews.
Why is summer course a good lead into boarding school long term?
From ages 7 to 18, there’s an extensive range of boarding school summer courses to choose from. Those which develop English language skills, as well as academic courses to develop critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving skills, summer courses to nurture talents in sport, computing, or the arts. All allow friendships to be made from all over the world. Some offer courses for parents, as well as their child. If you choose the best summer course experience for your child it will be the reassurance you are looking for when it comes to choosing a British boarding school education longer term.
An academic summer course can be a great way to put in place focussed expertise and build your child’s confidence ahead of up-coming pre-tests, entry assessments and interviews for top boarding schools. It presents opportunities to learn new skills, practise test skills, provides a great topic of conversation to raise in interviews, as well as showing evidence of a successful experience of boarding away from home. Booking a summer course ahead of your child’s up-coming entry assessment to boarding school can perhaps avoid months of after school tutoring during school terms, and hence reduce the risk of your child losing focus over what can be quite a long lead in to tests and interviews across several school choices.
Our team of education consultants and admissions experts visit summer courses as part of our extensive programme of boarding school visits throughout each academic year. We keep our knowledge up to date, so parents can choose the best summer course option for their child.