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Finding the right school for a child is always complex – weighing up their academic strengths and weaknesses, outside interests and talents, and their emotional requirements – and any Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) can further complicate matters. Fortunately, Gina’s years of experience, and her knowledge of the hundreds of boarding schools in England, Scotland and Wales, mean that she can advise on any child’s education.

Sport plays a central role at all the British boarding schools we recommend. Recognising its importance to the physical and mental health of their students, their main focus is on participation, and schools offer a huge range of activities to engage even the most reluctant sportspeople, but many schools also have academies to help nurture the true talents in their midst.

After two years of lockdowns, school closures and general disruption, finally this year has felt rather more normal. British boarding schools have been able to remain open, resume sporting fixtures, musical and theatrical performances, and the summer saw a return to traditional exams.

The DofE, as it is more often known, is a scheme of awards for young people aged 14 to 24, which recognises their achievements in the fields of Volunteering, Physical Activity, Skills and in completing a Team Expedition. Most British boarding schools support students to complete the award, whether at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, due to its universal recognition as proof of an individual’s commitment, resilience and teamwork.

Taunton School is in the midst of a £20million development project. Work started early this year, with the new sixth-form centre and students’ library already completed and in use. Still to come are enhanced sports facilities, a brand-new international school on the main campus, and the creation of a green and sustainable pedestrianised hub linking boarding houses, teaching and dining blocks.

In case they can put your mind at rest or pre-empt your own questions, here’s a short selection of queries client families often ask Gina.

How would you explain the demand for boarding schools in the UK?

As this new academic year starts, many, families and schools alike, are already looking to next year. To highlight possibilities for a child’s new setting, whether that’s Prep, Senior or Sixth Form, this is also the time of year for awards and accolades, so here’s a summary of recent announcements about just some of the British boarding schools we recommend.

International Baccalaureate scores are the first external examination results released each year, in early July. As usual, the British boarding schools we work with have done very well, with their students exceeding the global average score of 31.98 out of a possible maximum of 45.

The IB programme is offered by over 3,000 schools all over the world and 170,000 candidates are entered for the diploma each year.

Just after National Boarding Week, here’s a quick round up of places to read more about being a boarder in a British boarding school.

Our own website offers an overview of the benefits of boarding here in the UK, while almost all the schools have a page outlining their provision. Here are a few you might find interesting.

At last, Gina has been able to get back out on the road to catch up with at least a couple of the British boarding schools we work with.

She started not too far from HQ with Ashville College. Situated a short stroll from the centre of Harrogate, a lovely spa town in North Yorkshire, Ashville has an extensive campus with impressive facilities.