The 2024 Academic Families UK Boarding Schools Expos in East Africa provided families with an invaluable opportunity to connect with leading UK boarding schools and explore the unique experiences these schools offer. Building on the success of our 2023 events in Nairobi and Uganda, this year's expos continued to strengthen the bond between prospective students and UK schools, while our Admissions Team offered personalised guidance to help families navigate the options.
The UK has become an increasingly popular destination for East African students seeking a high-quality boarding school experience. Students from this region thrive in the well-rounded environment UK schools provide - where academic success is balanced with enriching extracurriculars. UK boarding schools offer a holistic education that equips students for life beyond the classroom, with hands-on learning opportunities, exposure to new cultures, and pathways to top UK universities.
One of our students, Flora, is from Kenya and has been excelling at Eastbourne College; an exhibitor who joined us at the expos. In a recent interview with us for Upmarket Magazines, Flora shared, "I enjoyed learning in Kenya, but I wanted to try studying in a different place. I had friends who spent Year 9 at UK boarding schools and enjoyed it – that inspired me to do the same. I’ve gained so much by experiencing other places and cultures firsthand.” Flora's story reflects the transformative power of a UK education, and we are proud to have helped her on this journey.
The expos took place over three days in Nairobi and one day in Kampala, where families keen on a British education gathered to meet representatives from 15 carefully selected UK boarding schools. These schools showcased the diversity among UK boarding schools - with a myriad of options in extracurricular specialisations, boarding styles and locations across the UK. Every family had the chance to engage directly with school representatives, and our Admissions Team were on hand to guide them through the process of selecting the best school to fit their child’s unique needs.
A key highlight of the expo was seeing how intently families were listened to, with meaningful conversations tailored to each child’s aspirations. One standout moment was introducing a talented young rugby player to schools known for their sports programmes. His excitement was clear as school representatives shared their state-of-the-art rugby facilities and the opportunities on offer. We’re looking forward to matching him to the best UK boarding school for him that will develop his sporting skills whilst receiving a world-class education.
Another memorable moment was when a family, whose child we placed at Royal Hospital School, returned to express their gratitude. Hearing how their child had thrived both academically and personally was incredibly rewarding, and we enjoyed introducing them to the Royal Hospital School staff representative so they could also share their thanks with the school.
Beyond the expos, we wanted to give school representatives a chance to experience the beauty of East Africa. We organised an early morning safari and ‘bush breakfast’ – an outdoor breakfast picnic - which was a memorable highlight for everyone and helped the UK school staff create even more meaningful connections with the families they met. Our team, several of whom lived in Kenya for many years, were delighted to share their love for the country with the school representatives.
The most significant takeaway from the expos was the shared understanding between families and schools about the incredible fit UK boarding schools are for East African students.
Lorna Clayton MBE, Academic Families’ Managing Director and Founder, summarised the success of the expos best -
“It’s always wonderful to see families’ excitement as they are directed to prospective schools that are a great match for their child and then when they engage with the school and become even more excited as they realise this could be their dream school!
Our personalised service ensures all families are heard and supported individually for each child. We support parents to understand what’s best for their child and then to confirm the best school to meet those needs.
Let my team support your child’s UK boarding school journey.”
If you’re considering a UK boarding school for your child, our Admissions Team is ready to help you. We can navigate you through the options and find the best school for your child’s future success. Arrange a video consultation with us today to start your child’s journey towards a world-class UK education.
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