Preparing for university
UK boarding schools help students mentally prepare for the challenges of higher education.
Boarding schools in Britain have a longstanding track record as springboards for students looking to gain entry into top universities. This is based on their combination of first-rate instruction, multicultural learning environments, pastoral care, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
However, according to expert speakers at the recent UK Boarding Schools Festival organised by Education Post, the path to boarding school still requires careful planning. It is best to start early, and the first step is to realise that getting into a good school is not simply a matter of completing forms and paying fees.
The most prestigious schools are well known for their rigorous admissions procedures. They are designed to assess each candidate’s academic and other potential. According to Cissy Lo, education marketing manager at the British Council Hong Kong, it’s important for parents to understand this process and start preparing as early as four years in advance.
While Year 7 (age 11) or Year 9 (age 13) are the usual entry points, some parents choose Year 5 (age 9). Entry to prep (primary) school boarding at this stage allows children to adjust to studying in the UK before moving up to senior level.
At most schools, Year 10 is a crucial point as it sees the start of two-year GCSE courses, usually involving some form of continuous assessment. Interestingly, as Hong Kong’s universities continue to climb the global rankings, some parents are now sending their children to UK schools with a view to applying for university places here, via the international route.
Of course, whether offering GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and A-levels or IB (International Baccalaureate) programmes, no school can guarantee a university place. Many leavers, though, do go on to a Russell Group university, which includes Oxford and Cambridge plus 22 other leading institutions. Applicants from boarding schools have generally had the benefit of small classes, an in-depth curriculum, and support in developing broad interests and individual talents.
In many cases, the school will also give constructive guidance on preparing applications and writing personal statements, which are intended to spell out study interests and outline what the candidate could bring to the university.
“The overall aim is always to bring out the best in students, whatever their abilities or ambitions,” says Mark Bruce, development manager (international) at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. “There are many ways to be successful in life, and we want to help each individual find what works best for them.”
Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate is known for its high academic standards, which encourage students to set ambitious goals. The key to this is having the right mindset, Bruce notes, adding that students should find motivation in pursuing their own passions rather doing what their parents dictate.
Besides academic considerations, Gareth Collier, principal at Cardiff Sixth Form College, notes other aspects of preparing for university.
“Some reasons students struggle or even fail in their first year have nothing to do with academic ability,” says Collier, who has guided many students towards top medical, legal and humanities courses. He stresses the importance of choosing the right course and university, learning how to be independent, and finding a balance between studying and other activities.
“No one can run a marathon at a sprinter’s pace and the same applies to academics - at some stage you will struggle,” Collier says.
A big plus, though, is to have developed essential “life skills” at boarding school in an environment where teachers, housemasters and tutors provide cogent advice and practical support.
“Students will not find the same level of support at university,” Collier says, noting that boarders at Cardiff Sixth Form College have their own rooms with a kitchen where they can learn to cater for themselves.
