Plan your talks.

Boarding school life can be very different from the picture families may have in mind.

From friendships and independence to evenings, weekends and time at home, this session will explore what the boarding experience looks and feels like for young people today.

Our speakers, all experienced staff from outstanding boarding schools, will look beyond some of the common perceptions of boarding and explore why families choose it, how schools create a sense of community and belonging, and what students themselves can gain from living and learning alongside their peers.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

The right boarding school is about much more than academic results or facilities.  A school’s culture, size, location, boarding model, pastoral approach and wider opportunities can all shape a young person’s experience.

In this talk our speakers will share their experience and advise to help you identify what matters most for you and your family and to understand the differences between schools.

They will give tips on which questions to ask schools you are interested in and explore how to look beyond the prospectus and find a school that offers the best opportunity to feel happy, supported and able to thrive.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

Looking beyond the UK can open up a much wider range of boarding possibilities just a flight away offering exceptional teaching, a wonderful boarding experience, coaching, facilities and trips and excursions and also the opportunity to discover a truly global perspective.

More and more families are discovering different educational approaches, skills, cultures and experiences at outstanding schools in Ireland and South Africa charging much less than the typical UK boarding school.

This session will explore what an international boarding experience can offer, from independence and a broader worldview to outdoor life, sport and new opportunities.

Drawing on their long experience in school admissions and leadership our speakers will consider some of the practical questions you should think about when exploring a schools in Ireland and South Africa, including travel, distance from home and maintaining family connections.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

For boarding students, school life doesn’t end when lessons finish.  Sport, music, drama, creative activities, clubs, trips and time with friends can be a significant part of the experience – and an important consideration when choosing a school.

In this talk staff from leading boarding schools will explore life beyond the academic timetable and how co-curricular opportunities can help young people discover new interests, develop confidence and build friendships.

We will also look at evenings and weekends and what makes a boarding community feel like home.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

Different schools – and different countries – may offer different educational pathways but all provide an excellent preparation for whatever destination is desired beyond school, whether university, alternative training and apprenticeships or the world of work.

From GCSEs and A levels to the International Baccalaureate (IB), Irish Leaving Certificate (LC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB)… understanding the different options offered by leading boarding schools can help families think more broadly about where and how to study.

In this session our speakers will draw on their experience advising thousands of families to discuss some of the key qualifications, curricula and school types you may encounter when considering the best boarding school for you.

They will look at how different routes can support a student’s strengths and ambitions, including what comes next after school.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

Sixth form can be a natural point for families to consider boarding for the first time, giving young people greater independence while still benefiting from the structure and support of a school community as they prepare for university, work and adult life.

This talk will explore the transition from day school to boarding at 16 years, including settling into a new environment, making friends, adapting to greater independence and managing academic demands.

Our speakers, all staff with considerable experience working in leading secondary boarding schools and colleges, will also look at what you should consider when deciding which sixth-form is right for you.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.

Boarding school life can be very different from the picture families may have in mind.

From friendships and independence to evenings, weekends and time at home, this session will explore what the boarding experience looks and feels like for young people today.

Our speakers, all experienced staff from outstanding boarding schools, will look beyond some of the common perceptions of boarding and explore why families choose it, how schools create a sense of community and belonging, and what students themselves can gain from living and learning alongside their peers.

There will be a chance to ask questions too.