1. How long have you been working in secondary education?
Since 2007, initially as a school governor. I joined Westbourne in 2018.
2. What makes British schools so special for families from all over the world?
British schools, like Westbourne, are renowned for their rich heritage, excellent academic standards and a balanced curriculum that focuses on holistic development. We offer a culturally diverse academic environment, preparing students for global opportunities.
3. Why do parents choose British primary and secondary schools for their children?
We find that parents choose British schools for their rigorous academics and a well-rounded education. Parents choose Westbourne School specifically for academic excellence and character development, ensuring students are well prepared for leadership roles in their future.
4. UK boarding school rankings: what criteria are used to compile them? How much can they be trusted?
Rankings consider GCSE and A Level / IB results, whilst a strong indicator of academic output, I advise parents to also look at the schools ethos and community values when assessing the right school for their child. Westbourne is a top ranking academic school, however it is our values around excellent pastoral care and personalised academic support that enables our students to truly thrive.
5. What are the most important factors parents should consider when choosing a school?
Parents should consider the school’s academic record, philosophy and pastoral support network. The most important factor is ‘fit’, is this an environment my child will thrive within.
6. What is the best time to apply to British schools? What should students prepare for?
The best time to apply is a year before enrolment. Preparation should include intensive academic English preparation in order to excel in entrance exams.
7. What subjects have students chosen most often in recent years?
As an IB Diploma school our students already benefit from a breadth of subject choice. Psychology is a very popular subject in recent years, alongside Computer Science.
8. How has the number of students been affected by COVID-19? How do boarding schools help children and families during this period?
Westbourne was quite unique in remaining open for its international boarding community throughout the entire Covid period. Our boarding community remained in a ‘bubble’ with round the clock academic and pastoral support from our dedicated staff. This hands on approach working with families to provide the very best care for their children is part of what sets Westbourne apart.
9. Is it hard to get a scholarship if you are a talented student? What are the usual discounts?
We welcome talented students and offer a range of academic scholarships which represent a discount from the entire school fee – tuition and boarding – discounts are based on performance in the scholarship paper and entrance tests and range in value from 5% - 35% discount in fees.
10. At what age do foreign students usually enter UK schools?
We welcome accompanied international students from 5 years of age. Students can join our boarding community from 12 years.
11. Do all schools offer ESL language support for international students? How important is it?
Westbourne offers ESL language support for all international students, including iELTS exam preparation for university entry.
12. What expenses await parents during the year, apart from accommodation and tuition fees?
Our fees are all inclusive, with the exception of uniform. A budget of £750 per term is typically enough for additional personal expenses.
13. What details do parents consider first when choosing a school, apart from academic success?
Once academic success and ethos is established, parents are always interested in the number of nationalities at a school, at Westbourne, 70% of our community is British, with 30% from a wide range of nationalities, at last count, over 30 nationalities with no one nationality dominating.
14. What advice would you give to future applicants before applying to British schools and why?
Understand the school’s ethos and ensure it aligns with your goals. I would further advise students to prioritise their English language studies in preparation for the entrance testing phase.
When looking at applicants, we consider not only the academic record and entrance exam performance, but also students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate character and potential for growth.
15. Can your graduates apply for universities in other countries? What support do students receive?
As an IB Diploma school, our graduates frequently enter some the world’s leading universities. Westbourne has sister schools in Singapore and Sydney and our university support stretches from the US, UK, Singapore, Australia and Europe.
