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Expatriate parents living in the kingdom are likely to find boarding schools in the UK a more feasible and favourable option for their children … thanks to BREXIT, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.
Since Brits voted to leave the European Union the British pound has plummeted in value. It may have proved costly for those travelling abroad on holiday from the UK but it comes as a pleasant bonus for many families living overseas.
Average boarding fees have become more affordable as the Bahraini dinar is now worth more than twice as much as Sterling. Average boarding fees are around £25,000 / BD11,600 per year which includes boarding accommodation, tuition, food, laundry and some education-related activities.
Boarding school specialists from Anderson Education, who have helped expatriate families find institutes for their youngsters for many years, is returning to Bahrain this weekend to assist parents in finding the perfect fit for them … both financially and educationally.
Education consultant Sara Sparling, of Anderson Education, said: “The devaluation in the pound exchange rate has made the option of UK boarding a more realistic one for many families.” If cost is a concern there are other options too – students can apply for a scholarship if they are academically strong or have a talent in sport, music, art or drama, which could provide a discount on school fees.
Families can also apply for a means-tested bursary and sibling discount. For students with a British or EU passport there is the option of a state boarding school in which the family pays for the boarding accommodation only and fees average £5,000 (BD2,500) per year.
Anderson Education works with more than 350 UK boarding schools and many believe the move away from the ‘expat bubble’ can be an excellent stepping stone for students wanting to attend universities in the country.
Expat parents, in particular, often look at a boarding option just before GCSE and A level courses set in, much to the annoyance of British curriculum schools on the island who lose out on the top term fees generated by older pupils.
Sara said: “Students gain independence and confidence whilst in a safe and secure environment. They are in the UK for university open days and schools in the UK have up-to-date information on university applications and guiding students through the UCAS process.
Our schools are proud to say that 90 per cent of their students receive offers from their first choice university.” Anderson Education provides families with free, impartial, help and guidance on UK boarding schools, summer and language programmes.
The team supports families every step of the way through the process of selecting the best school for each child, arranging school visits, the application and entrance test and interview process.
Consultants will be setting up shop at The British Club on Friday from 2pm to 7pm as part of a regional tour, to share information on selecting the best school, on what to expect and how to be better prepared.
Sara added: “For those parents with little experience of boarding schools it can be a daunting prospect - most rely on friends and family for help and advice. “Each child is different and each school is different.
With a little help from the experts you can find that perfect place where your child will blossom and grow to his or her full potential. “I know exactly how it feels. I lived overseas for many years, moving frequently due to my husband’s job and having four children all with very different needs and aspirations, makes finding the right schools a very challenging task.
“Ask yourself, would a single sex school or a co-ed school best suit my child, has your child got a special talent in music, drama or sport, one of mine was a natural sportsman and went on to do a degree in Sports Science, finding a school that can stretch and develop these talents is important.
“Let’s be honest, not all of our children are outstanding A-Grade students, selecting a school that will ensure that every child achieves their best is vital for happy successful children and parents. “I always say that I want these children to be top of the pile, not struggling at the bottom of the class.
“Our job as education consultants is to identify and match individual talents, skills and aspirations to a school that will challenge, encourage and develop, to ensure that each child reaches his or her full potential.
“Families living overseas are looking for reassurance that their children will achieve their full potential, in a happy, safe, secure environment and we offer families free help and advice on finding the best school for them.”
