Contact details for a selection of organisations that will be able to provide you with further information about boarding schools, and about studying and living in the UK.
General Information
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA)
The Department for Education
Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD
Tel: +44 (0)370 000 2288
Web: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/
department-for-education
The Government department responsible for education and children’s services in England.
The Independent Schools Council
The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB)
Endeavour Business Park, Crow Arch Lane, Ringwood BH24 1HP
Tel: +44 (0)1425 470555
E-mail: enquiries@iseb.co.uk
Web: www.iseb.co.uk
The ISEB provides examinations and assessments for pupils seeking entry to independent senior schools at 11+ and 13+.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
CAP House, 9-12 Long Lane, London EC1A 9HA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7600 0100
E-mail: info@isi.net
Web: www.isi.net
ISI ensures high standards among ISC member schools by carrying out inspections every three to six years.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
Web: www.ibo.org
The IBO administers the International Baccalaureate in schools in 150 countries around the world.
The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS)
The State Boarding Forum (SBF)
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
Web: www.ucas.ac.uk
UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
Information for overseas parents and boarders
Accreditation UK
Accreditation Unit, British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB
Tel: +44 (0)161 957 7692
E-mail: accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation
The Accreditation UK scheme is jointly managed by the British Council and English UK, and accredits over 450 English language teaching establishments in the UK.
The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS)
Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS)
English UK
47 Brunswick Court, Tanner Street, London SE1 3LH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7608 7960 Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 7961
E-mail: info@englishuk.com
Web: www.englishuk.com
The representative body of over 400 accredited UK English language teaching establishments, including language centres in universities, further education colleges, boarding schools and private language schools.
UK NARIC
Suffolk House, 68-70 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham GL50 2ED
Tel: +44 (0)871 330 7033 or +44 (0)1242 258621
Fax: +44 (0)871 330 7005 or +44 (0)1242 258611
Web: naric.org.uk
The national agency that provides information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from around the world to the UK’s national qualifications frameworks.
UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs
1st Floor, Noble House, 3-5 Islington, High Street, London, N1 9LQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7788 9214 Fax: +44 (0)20 7288 4360
Web: www.ukcisa.org.uk
UKCISA looks after the needs and interests of international students. Offers free information and advice to international students already in the UK, and to prospective international students around the world.
Special needs information
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
Unit 6, Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BW
Helpline: +44 (0)333 405 4567
The BDA aims to enable dyslexic people to reach their full potential, and offers information and help to families, professionals and dyslexic individuals.
Dyslexia Action
Centurion House, London Road, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 4AX
Tel: +44 (0)300 303 835
Web: www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Carries out assessments of children and adults who may be dyslexic, provides tuition, trains teachers, develops teaching materials and conducts research into dyslexia.
Disability Rights UK
Plexal, 14 East Bay Lane, Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 3BS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7250 8181
E-mail: students@disabilityrightsuk.org
Web: www.disabilityrightsuk.org
Provides advice to disabled students who are studying in England and answer post-16 education and training enquiries from disabled students.
Specialist schools information
The Choir Schools’ Association (CSA)
The Information Officer, Village Farm, The Street, Market Weston, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2NZ
Tel: +44 (0)1359 221333
E-mail: info@choirschools.org.uk
An association of UK boarding and day schools attached to cathedrals, churches and college chapels.
Music and Dance Scheme
Web: www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme
Provides funding for exceptionally talented children to study at music and performing arts schools.
Religious schools information
Church of England
Woodard Schools, Head Office, High Street, Abbots Bromley, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 3BW
Tel: +44 (0)1283 840120
E-mail: info@woodard.co.uk
Web: www.woodard.co.uk
The largest group of independent Church of England schools in England and Wales.
Methodist
Methodist Independent Schools Trust, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 3723 Fax: +44 (0)20 7224 0702
E-mail: admin@methodisteducation.co.uk
Web: www.methodistschools.org.uk
An umbrella organisation for the 12 independent Methodist schools in the UK.
Quakers
E-mail: www.aquakereducation.co.uk/contact-us (form)
Web: www.aquakereducation.co.uk
The above website provides information and advice about the Quaker faith and independent Quaker schools in the UK and Ireland.