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UK Boarding school advice and news

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Your questions answered: The ISEB Common Pre-Test

30 November 2023

The Common Pre-Test are online age-standardised tests taken in Years 6 or 7 (when a child is aged between 10 and 12) and are used to assess pupils’ potential and attainment before they take the Common Entrance exam in Year 8.

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Pupils at Box Hill School, Surrey

Thinking of Applying for a Boarding School? Don’t Leave it too Late!

28 November 2023

Senior schools’ admissions process Years ago, the switch from prep school to senior school was relatively simple. Parents would choose a boarding school for their child, register and then the child would sit Common Entrance at the end of prep school (Year 8). If they passed, they were in. Today the senior schools’ admissions process is very different and increasingly over the last decade fewer and fewer schools are using Common Entrance alone as the entrance test. Top photo and above: Box Hill School, Surrey Senior school entry requirements vary considerably, and all have admission procedures that need to be…

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Girls at boarding school in dormitory

Homesickness at Boarding School

21 September 2023

UK Boarding schools provide an amazing all-round education with a strong emphasis on holistic development. As a parent, it is one of the best decisions you can make for your child. No matter how convinced you are of this, it is a heart-wrenching experience to hear they’re homesick. Receiving tearful phone calls and miserable emails from your child, having just started boarding school for the first time. I know because I have been one of those parents. Homesickness is a very human emotion and is tough on both pupil and parent. It can affect any pupil at any time in…

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Our Armed Forces Covenant Pledge

15 September 2023

We are extremely proud to announce that Claire Calder Consultancy Ltd have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant is a national pledge to treat our veterans and military families with fairness and respect. Any organisation in the UK can pledge their support. As military spouses ourselves, it means so much to us to be able to support our service families. As parents of boarding school children, we understand the decisions you may currently be considering for your child. Between us we have lost count of the times we have moved house as well as overseas postings to…

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Announcing that we’re now a British Boarding Schools Network Approved Agent

14 September 2023

We are very proud to announce that Claire Calder Consultancy has been given Approved Agent status and has gained membership of the British Boarding Schools Network (BBSN). It is an honour to be recognised and to be joining a renowned network of international educational consultants working in partnership with the best UK Boarding schools. Being an Approved Agent member of the BBSN means we have satisfied the strict quality assurance standards set out by the BBSN. It is a mark of excellence and recognises our professionalism, credibility and endorses the valuable work that we do as well as giving schools…

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Boarding School Open Days

Boarding School Open Days are on the horizon

23 August 2023

Open Day season is nearly upon us and now is the perfect time to start preparing and planning for your child’s next step in their education. Reading a school prospectus or looking at a website can only give you so much information. Visiting a school is vitally important and so Open Days are an excellent starting point if you are considering a boarding school for your child. All independent schools across the UK will have their Open Days coming up between mid-September and mid-November and now is the time to register to secure your spot. Attending an Open Day gives…

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Shrivenham Welcome Coffee Morning august 2 leaflet

Shrivenham Welcome Coffee Morning

23 August 2023

Claire Calder will be at the Shrivenham Station Welcome Coffee Morning on 30th August. Pop along for a cup of coffee and a chat with Claire about the very best boarding options available for your children. Claire has been helping families with their boarding school choices for several years. As an army wife and mother of two boarding school children and several overseas postings, she has a wealth of personal experience for those either looking to embark on their boarding school journey or for those who are wondering if it’ll work for them. Academics, boarding provision, pastoral care, specialist sports,…

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Siblings. Does one school fit all?

25 May 2023

Choosing a senior boarding school for your children is a major decision. Ultimately, it is the platform for their future, and you are entrusting that school with your child’s academic and social development.

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Combined Cadet Force cadets

Come adventuring with the Combined Cadet Force

17 October 2022

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a much-loved part of boarding school life for many of our Forces children. Over 500 independent UK secondary schools have a CCF unit your child can join. It gives them the opportunity to learn things that aren’t part of the school curriculum. They get a unique chance to develop the skills, teamwork and leadership qualities that we’re so proud to see in our Armed Services personnel. Find out more about CCF at UK boarding schools The CCF’s stated aim is “to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline.” And they do this…

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Visit to Benenden School, Kent — Boarding and Sixth Form Insights

18 December 2025 Comments are Disabled

Welcome and First Impressions Recently, our school visits took us to Benenden School, where Head, Rachel Bailey, Liz Reading, and the wider team welcomed us warmly. From the outset, their openness and pride in the school set a positive tone for the visit. Founded in 1923, Benenden operates as an […]

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A Visit to Salisbury Cathedral School, Wiltshire

17 December 2025 Comments are Disabled

Recently, our school visits took us to Salisbury Cathedral School, a co-educational preparatory school for children aged 2–13. Set within 27 acres in the Cathedral Close, it is one of the most distinctive and inspiring educational settings in the country. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by JoJo Orange in […]

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Marlborough House Vinehall School – Outstanding Prep Education in the Countryside

3 September 2025 Comments are Disabled

Marlborough House Vinehall Prep in East Sussex offers exceptional day and boarding education for children aged 2–13. Set in 47 acres of beautiful countryside near Robertsbridge, the co-educational school has been shaping young minds since 1838. With a rich heritage and a modern approach, the school provides a nurturing and […]

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Roedean School: Boarding and Unique Education by the Sea

3 September 2025 Comments are Disabled

Roedean School Brighton is a leading day and boarding school for girls aged 11–18. Perched on a stunning clifftop in Brighton, the school combines academic excellence, creativity, and a caring, close-knit community. During a recent visit, Linda met Emma Shelver and Alison Wienekus, who welcomed her warmly. She immediately noticed […]

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Stonyhurst College – A World-Class Catholic Boarding School in the UK

2 September 2025 Comments are Disabled

About Stonyhurst College & St Mary’s Hall Prep Located in the heart of rural Lancashire, Stonyhurst College and Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Prep are the UK’s leading Catholic co-educational boarding and day schools. They welcome pupils aged 3 to 18. Founded in 1593, Stonyhurst is Britain’s oldest Jesuit school. It […]

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Giggleswick School – Outstanding Boarding School In The Yorkshire Dales

28 August 2025 Comments are Disabled

Nestled in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, Giggleswick School is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected co-educational boarding schools, with a rich history dating back to 1512. Blending tradition with modernity, the school offers outstanding facilities, from a 250-seat theatre to its own golf course. Over 70% of students go on to receive Russell Group offers, while a vibrant boarding life fosters a strong sense of community and ambition.

Giggleswick supports academic excellence and character development for students aged 2–18. Discover what makes this exceptional school truly special and why it continues to inspire generations.

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King Edward’s Witley: A Historic Co-educational Boarding School In Surrey

5 May 2025 Comments are Disabled

King Edward’s Witley is a dynamic and academically ambitious co-educational school for pupils aged 11–18, with a student body of nearly 500. Founded in 1553, it is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. Around 25% of pupils are boarders, half of whom come from approximately 20 different countries.

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Oakham School: A Leading Co-Educational Boarding School in Rutland

30 April 2025 Comments are Disabled

Thank you to the team at Oakham School in Rutland for the warm welcome during our recent visit.

Oakham School is a leading co-educational day and boarding school in Rutland, educating around 1,000 students aged 11 to 18. Set on a spacious, green campus, the school blends tradition with innovation and is known for its balanced, down-to-earth approach to education.

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