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Placing a Foreign Student in a UK School

By: Jack Claridge - Updated: 18 Jun 2021 | comments*Discuss
 
Local Education Authorities Lea Foreign

We have already looked at how to place our children in schools abroad and how to help them fit in once they have made the transition to a foreign school but it is worth noting that the reverse can apply as foreign students are now becoming commonplace in our schools in the United Kingdom.

This can happen because a family has come to the United Kingdom in relation to employment or because they are wishing to seek Asylum in the United Kingdom. Whatever the case every child is entitled to an education and as such every attempt is made by the schooling system and the Local Education Authorities to make sure that places are available for any foreign student wishing to seek an education here.

Differences to be Aware of

For the most part the principle is the same for those families wishing to relocate to the United Kingdom as it would be for those families leaving the United Kingdom for foreign climbs. Although in saying that there are some noticeable differences.

The main difference being that we – in the United Kingdom – teach our children in English as our first language with foreign languages such as French German, Spanish and now in some schools Mandarin – bringing up the rear in language stakes. This, just as it is British children moving abroad – a stumbling block that needs to be overcome for any foreign student to gain a reasonable and satisfactory level of education.

Tips

Just as with British children, it is important and a good investment of time, for a foreign family to visit and select a list of schools that would appeal to their individual child’s needs should that be a course of action open to them. Obviously if the family are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom then a visit before hand is a lot less likely and it can sometimes be a lottery in terms of finding a place for their children. Local Education Authorities will help with this as best they can in conjunction with the Foreign Office and British Consulate to their country of origin.

It is also worth noting that foreign students will fall under the same system of criteria as British children when it comes to the application process for a specific school. Their applications will be determined not so much on the merits of where they are from – in relation to country – but where they are living in relation to the distance from the schools of choice etc. This is the same for all children and indeed the same applies for any benefits that might be obtained; school meals, financial assistance for travel and uniforms etc.

If you are from a foreign country and wish to place your child or children in full time education in the United Kingdom it is worth noting that there may be – in some schools – a rudimentary series of aptitude tests that may need to be taken – in order to gauge the level of your child’s learning to date, especially if they have already been in education in your home country. This may also include a basic test as to how they cope with the English language that – as we have already discussed – is the first language in our schools.

Some schools do teach in other languages as a first choice language but these schools it is worth mentioning – have limited places available and normally have long waiting lists. This also applies to specific religion schools such as those that teach Hinduism and other religions practiced mainly abroad.

In conclusion it is not impossible to place your child in a United Kingdom school if you are from abroad but there are certain stumbling blocks that have to be overcome so if you are relocating to the United Kingdom from abroad and have the time to do so, it is a worthwhile endeavour to take the time to find out what your child’s best options are.

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Hello friend of mine has 14 years old son and she wants to bring him here. He is finishing now secondary school in Bulgaria and she is not really sure what she has to do to prepare him for school here. She doesn't know for what type of school she has to look for and she needs to do to sing him in one. Can you give me an advice for her please. Thank you
Lina - 18-Jun-21 @ 9:02 PM
Hi I would like to know about the transfer of my daughters aged 14 yrs(May1st)and 5 yrs(Aug) from India to UK education system. We are British citizens and lived in Uk from 2008 to 2014. We came to India but now we are thinking of coming back this summer. My elder one has just started her 9th in India. Will i have to put her in year 10 if we move in few months. How tough will it be for her without completing her 9th in India and directly moving to year 10 in UK pls advice. Im so worried if she will be able to cope. Can i request for a place in year 9 instead of year 10. Will any schools permit that. Pls advice
Lilly - 5-Jun-21 @ 8:28 AM
Hi I would like to know about the transfer of my daughters aged 14 yrs(May1st)and 5 yrs(Aug) from India to UK education system. We are British citizens and lived in Uk from 2008 to 2014. We came to India but now we are thinking of coming back this summer. My elder one has just started her 9th in India. Will i have to put her in year 10 if we move in few months. How tough will it be for her without completing her 9th in India and directly moving to year 10 in UK pls advice. Im so worried if she eill be able to cope.
Lilly - 5-Jun-21 @ 8:25 AM
I have two sons.elder 7 years old,other 4 years old.so we like to move uk for there study.how can we move uk from srilanka.
Ra - 3-Jun-21 @ 12:15 PM
Im from Spain . 18 I’ve completed 1 de bachillerato in the Spanish system. I am familiar with the British system as I grew up in it but failed my IGCSEs . Can I transfer to year 13 retake my IGCSE and prepare for A levels or IB diploma ? Is that an option ?
Rachel - 5-May-21 @ 1:34 AM
I'm Spanish and I've completed my first year of Spanish Bachillerato with very good grades. Next year I am moving to England and I will be 17. In which class will I be placed? Could I go on the 12 year or will I have to start in 11 year? Thank you very much!!
Berlanga - 15-Apr-21 @ 7:23 PM
I am a registered nurse living in Liberia am interested in taking my four females kids to uk to school. What is the procedure
ZB - 29-Mar-21 @ 9:58 PM
What's the best age for a foreign student to school in UK? Can my son use a tourist visa to school in UK ?
Mika - 26-Mar-21 @ 7:56 AM
I have 2 daughters studying abroad and we will relocate to UK in June 2021 one in grade 9 with 14 years old and 2 nd in grade 7 with 12 years old. We need to make admission to grade 10 and grade 8 I need help for that
Mody - 24-Mar-21 @ 7:20 AM
Hello, we (parents 50 years old, work in IT -remote and have children aged 11 and 9 and daughter 14 years old) will move from Germany-Munich (German citizenship) to Great Britain (Manchester) in September am interested in joining them in a government funded school. Please indicate how easy or difficult it is to get admission. Thank you and Best Regards, Mehmet
Mark - 17-Mar-21 @ 1:11 PM
Hi , my daughter is finishing grade 9 in an IGCSE school in singapore . We are moving to UK . Will she be able to get admissions there in year 11(or 10th grade) in any GCSE school in London. She is 14yrs old.
PG - 22-Feb-21 @ 10:57 PM
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moshe strugano - 17-Feb-21 @ 12:17 PM
My nephew in india he is interested in uk study how we can bring him he is 14 year old
Gurbir - 16-Feb-21 @ 10:19 AM
We’re moving to the UK my kids would start school in September 2021. They have being at an American system school. My daughter is finishing grade 9 (year 10). Could she enter to a traditional UK school to year 11th?
Lala - 8-Jan-21 @ 8:59 AM
Hey I am 17 years old moving to the UK what class will I be placed since I have not written gcse and I have no external results
Dee - 22-Dec-20 @ 7:40 AM
Hey I am 17 years old and moving to the UK what class are you I be placed since I have not written gcse
Dee - 22-Dec-20 @ 7:38 AM
Am a Cameroonian I want to come and continue school there in England am 15 yrs old I want to come in September 2021
Ashanty be - 15-Nov-20 @ 7:53 PM
My daughter is 17 years old and moving from South Africa to her father in June 2021. He has been in the UK for about 3 years now as a “family member of a European citizen” What I would like to know is, what documents would be needed for him to submit an application to enroll her in a school for the school year starting September 2021?
Fancy Face - 3-Nov-20 @ 3:08 PM
Hi My son is 16 years old and south african how can I bring him to uk to study.
Hendrik - 22-Oct-20 @ 10:24 AM
Hi. I'm moving my 16 year old to the UK from South Africa in March 2021 I believe she would go into 6th form? The SA school year ends in Dec. She would've completed year 9. Would she jump straight to your 6th form,thereby skipping out year 10 and 11??
AVI - 21-Sep-20 @ 2:09 PM
Hello, we are a multilanguage family looking for a new school for our 5-year-olds. She is a native speaker in the English language but was born in Germany. That's a big problem here in England. In her old school, she has now been excluded several times. No parties, no friends. So we have a view of Manchester, where more Germans live. Does anyone know a good non-racist school there? Thank you.
Incamu - 31-Aug-20 @ 12:25 PM
my nephew is 15 and planning to move in Leicester where i live with his mom is it possible for him to join a school
Abdou - 19-Aug-20 @ 10:49 AM
Hi, I am a female currently living in Turkey. My birthday is 21 August 2004.Iwill be coming to The UK in September so what are the best options for me? I want to learn which year I am going to start from when I am England.
ZEZA - 14-Aug-20 @ 11:58 PM
Hello mam/ sir , I am going to study in UK under tier 4 student visa. Can I bring my children to UK? Will they be admitted in state funded school? If not how can I educate there? Or is there any difficulties for my children to study? Please help me. I don't know what procedure regarding this.
Pappu - 24-Jul-20 @ 3:25 PM
We want to educated our daughter in UK her age is 12years plz tell us Hw we apply and also tell us annual fee and hostel facility for girl
Mahi - 8-Jul-20 @ 8:10 AM
Hi my name is Aaren I finished my (a level )year 12 in the uae but may move to London in the month of the August . Will I have to re-do my year 12 or continue and do year 13? ( kindly respond fast )
Aaren - 24-Jun-20 @ 6:41 PM
Hi, im a male currently living in india i am 16 right now but i will be 17 in august i just passed my computer tech exam in india currently and am promoted to year 12 but i will be coming to uk in august or September so what are the best options for me? Can i do year 13 or do i have to re do year 12
Favian - 4-May-20 @ 8:40 AM
Hi. I m planning to move to UK from India in the month of December and want my 9 year old son to study in one of the state funded school. I want to know whether school admissions are possible at that point of time and to which grade he will be admitted? Also what documents or are required for admission?
sunita - 9-Mar-20 @ 9:48 AM
Hi. I m planning to move to UK from India in the month of September and want my 12 year old son to study in one of the state funded school. I want to know whether school admissions are possible at that point of time and to which grade he will be admitted? Also what documents or are required for admission?
Shon - 23-Feb-20 @ 8:03 PM
Hi. I m planning to move to UK from India in the month of September and want my 10 year old daughter to study in one of the state funded school. I want to know whether school admissions are possible at that point of time and to which grade she will be admitted? Also what documents or are required for admission?
Ns - 22-Feb-20 @ 6:44 AM
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