Service parents usually take their children with them when they are posted overseas and Service Children's Education provides excellent schools in the major overseas command areas. Where children are likely to experience disruption in their education due to frequent postings of their parents, a boarding school might be considered a suitable option. The Boarding School Allowance (BSA) is available to parents wishing to make use of this option.
The purpose of this broadsheet is to give information on the types of boarding education available in the United Kingdom.
Types of School
As parents you have a wide and varied selection of schools to consider in both the independent and maintained sectors of education. The type of school you choose for your child will largely depend on the age you wish him/her to start boarding. The schools can be placed under the following headings:
a. Independent Preparatory Schools - age range 7 to 13+
b. Independent Senior Schools - age range 11+ or 13+ to 16 or 18
c. Independent Integrated 'All Age' Schools
d. Maintained Schools - age range 11+ to 18+
Independent Preparatory Schools
Preparatory Schools as the name implies, prepare children for entry to the senior or public school at the age of 11+ or 13+. These schools offer a wide choice of environment and attempt to give their pupils access to a wide range of activities both in and out of school. In general these boarding schools attach great importance to pastoral care through the creation of a friendly, family atmosphere. With small classes and a broad curriculum the preparatory school offers a large measure of individual attention both in and out of school hours. The normal age of entry is 8 or 9 years and pupils are generally prepared for the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) at 13+. Many of these schools are expensive with fees substantially more than the junior rate of BSA.
Independent Senior Schools
Independent senior schools offer a wide choice to parents. Single sex or Co-educational schools are available. The age of entry varies, but is usually 11 years or 13 years. Entry is sometimes dependent upon completion of a satisfactory exam and/or interview. However, in some cases the previous school report and interview is all that is required.
Independent Integrated Schools
Some independent senior schools have their own preparatory schools. These should not be confused with Integrated Schools.
The Independent Integrated School provides education for children between the ages of 7/8 years to 16 or 18 years. The schools in this category do not all have sixth forms. Some parents prefer integrated schools because pupils do not have to change from one school to another.
Maintained Boarding Schools
Some local authorities also provide boarding education in Maintained Schools. Many of these schools have a high academic reputation and some of them are selective. The tuition fees are paid by the Local Education Authority (LEA) or Central Government. The BSA can be used to pay the boarding element. Most Maintained Boarding Schools accept pupils from 11+.
Sixth Form Colleges/Colleges of Further Education (FE)
There are a number of independent and maintained colleges which have residential accommodation which is acceptable for BSA. They offer a wide variety of academic and vocational courses.
Further Information
Choosing a suitable school for your son/daughter is a complicated exercise, you are therefore advised to gather as much information as possible before making a choice. You can obtain further advise and assistance through your service education centres or HQ SCE (UK).
SCE can provide specialist advice and assistance on many aspects of education, including choosing a school. For further information please contact:
