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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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Armed Forces Covenant-Pledge header image

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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Students at Kent College

Success at Day & Boarding School Kent College, Pembury

24 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

Discover the vibrant community at Kent College, where academic excellence meets a nurturing environment. Experience inclusive ethos rooted in the Christian Methodist tradition. With a range of boarding options and a commitment to personalised support, every student is empowered to thrive. The
dedicated team ensures that each girl unlocks her full potential, with outstanding teaching at the heart of the school. Discover the the unique opportunities that await at Kent College!

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Pupils walking through the grounds of a UK boarding school

Discover Sherborne School: A Leading All-Boys Full-Boarding School in Dorset

23 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

A big thank you to Anne Megdiche, Director of Admissions, and Nicholas Scorer, Housemaster of Harper, for their warm welcome to Sherborne School recently. Nestled in the picturesque town of Sherborne, Dorset, the school is easily accessible from London and major airports, making it an ideal location for both local […]

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Sherborne Girls: Offering An Exceptional All-Round Education

23 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

Sherborne Girls combines top-tier academics, exceptional co-curricular activities, and a supportive full-boarding environment. With a balance of single-sex education and co-educational interaction, students excel academically and personally. It’s the ideal choice for young women to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

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St Mary’s Calne: Exceptional All-Girls Boarding School in the UK

23 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

A big thank you to Anne Wakefield, Head, and Meghan Davis, Head of Admissions, for the warm welcome at St Mary’s Calne. Our Lower Sixth tour guide was delightful, and it was immediately clear why this exceptional all-girls’ boarding school in Wiltshire stands out. With around 350 pupils aged 11-18, […]

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A Memorable Tour of Shrewsbury School: A Unique Boarding Experience

23 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

Shrewsbury School is a prestigious independent boarding
school in Shrewsbury, offering an outstanding education for boys and girls. Known for its rich history, academic excellence, and vibrant extracurricular activities, it prepares students for success in both their personal and professional lives.

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Oundle School: Combining Tradition and Innovation in Education

21 March 2025 Comments are Disabled

A big thank you to everyone at Oundle School for such an enjoyable visit last week. Linda and I were thoroughly impressed on so many fronts, leaving with a firm sense that Oundle offers an extraordinary educational experience with a delightful modesty. Meeting the pupils is always a key part […]

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Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA): Where to Begin.

12 February 2025 Comments are Disabled

What is Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)? From the academic year of your child’s 8th birthday, HM Forces personnel can apply for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to help cover the cost of boarding school fees. How do I apply for CEA? Service personnel who meet the strict eligibility […]

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Westonbirt School, where success is celebrated and growth is nurtured.

10 January 2025 Comments are Disabled

We recently visited Westonbirt School, a co-educational day and boarding school offering full, weekly and flexi boarding for ages 11-18.  Set in 210 acres of glorious parkland and a breathtaking Victorian mansion near Tetbury in Gloucestershire. Successful Co-educational Transition Seven years ago, Westonbirt was a small all-girls school of about […]

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Mock Exams Coming up?  How to revise over the Christmas Holidays.

10 December 2024 Comments are Disabled

Are mock exams coming up in January?  Here are our top tips on balancing revision with enjoying your Christmas holidays. Balance is KeyRest is just as important as revision. It’s essential to take a well-deserved break and spend quality time with friends and family this season. The next six months […]

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