FAQs

Q: How does the consulting process work?

A: First stage
An initial consultation to determine your requirements for the school and an assessment of your child’s education background to-date. This would include:
Considering school choice factors such as curriculum options, school success record, extra-curricular strengths, single sex or co-ed, school ethos, boarding style, location, religious requirements, and other factors.
A review of your child’s recent school reports, academic progress and other extra-curricular achievements or ability.
A general discussion of an overseas education covering guardianship, school fees, travelling costs, living expenses and other issues.
Producing a list of potential schools.

Second stage
A more in depth research into each chosen school, assisting with a schedule of school visits and formal applications to short-listed schools.

Third stage
We will provide advice on pre-test and interview preparation if necessary and depending on the school’s criteria for entry. A place may be offered unconditionally or conditional upon success in entrance tests or examinations. We are able to refer you to experienced tutors to assist with test preparation.

Final stage
We will offer final advice regarding acceptance of an offer and consideration of whether a child is suitable for scholarship application. We will also help to answer any other queries about a chosen school prior to the child’s entry.

Q: When should I start the school search?

A: It is best to start the process of looking at schools about four years prior to entry. Most schools have a cut-off date by which your child must be registered. Some schools will take registration only up to a limited number, with names being placed on a waiting list if normal lists are full. There may be some places reserved for strong late applicants.

In the UK, preparatory schools tend to not have absolute cut-off dates while senior schools have dates that vary widely from three years prior to one year prior. For entry at 16+ years old, registration is usually required at least one year prior. However, schools have taken in students in special circumstances at short notice.

As a general rule of thumb, the earlier you start the process, the better your options and wider your choices.

Q: Will you guarantee admission to schools?

A: It is our job to advise families which schools would be suitable for their child having taken into account all considerations. We will help to ensure that your child is presented, openly and honestly, in the best possible light. We do not, however, guarantee admission to any school because this is at the discretion of the admissions staff of the school. We are not recruitment agents and in particular, do not accept agency fees from any school.

Q: As a family, we are very private and low-key. Will our consultancy arrangement be confidential?

A: We take the duty of confidentiality seriously and respect the privacy of all our clients' affairs. Information obtained in the course of any consultancy is kept confidential and is not shared outside the scope of work.