UK Boarding School Placement and Admission 2026/2027

UK Boarding School Placement

Every placement starts with a conversation. We discuss your child's age, academic record, interests and what your family is looking for in a school, whether that is academic strength, sport, the arts, location, a particular curriculum, or a single-sex or co-educational environment.

From there, we shortlist the boarding schools that genuinely fit, arrange applications and entrance assessments, and support you through offers, deposits and enrolment. We place students under 18 only at government-approved public and private schools with a full boarding option, and before the start of term we put guardianship in place, so your child arrives with a trusted UK contact already appointed.

UK Boarding School Admission

Most UK boarding schools admit international students at set entry points, typically at 11+, 13+ and 16+, with some schools also accepting students at other ages where places allow. Competitive schools often ask families to register one to two years before entry, and entrance assessments, such as UKiset or the school's own tests and interviews, usually take place in the autumn and winter before the September start.

To begin, please:

1. Complete our online application form
2. Submit your child's most recent school reports and achievements
3. Let us know any specific preferences, such as location, sports interests, curriculum type, or whether you prefer a single-sex or co-educational school

Once we receive your application, we organise an initial meeting to understand your child's needs and interests, then create a personalised list of recommended schools with detailed information on boarding school fees and available scholarships. We support you through registration and any required entrance tests, and provide guidance on the visa process and your child's move to the UK. See our UK Admission Deadlines page for the key dates across the academic year.

Do I Need Boarding School Guardianship?

Yes, in almost every case. UK boarding schools require international students under 18 whose parents live overseas to have an appointed UK guardian. The guardian is the school's local point of contact, responds in emergencies, and looks after your child during half-terms, exeats and holidays when the boarding house is closed.

Our UK Boarding School Guardianship service is designed to work alongside your child's placement, so guardianship is arranged as part of the same process, with no separate search and no gap before the start of term. Package prices and optional services are set out on our guardianship fees page.

Boarding School Guardianship