We understand that guardianship can be a new concept for many of our parents who often ask us, "Why do we need a guardian? We are the parents…can't the school just contact us?"

However, every international boarder whose parents don’t live in the UK must have a nominated guardian for the duration of their stay at boarding school to support them when they are not in school and for any emergencies.

Guardians must be UK residents, over 25 years of age and able to fully support the child 24/7 which is why schools often prefer a professional guardian like Academic Families.

Guardians take responsibility for children and represent their parents during the child’s time in the UK.  In an emergency, the guardian will be contacted first as they are responsible for the child in the UK. Of course parents are contacted too, but the guardian has delegated parental responsibility to make any emergency decisions.

Think of your guardian more like having a sister near school - we sort out all the things you would ask your sister to do!

Your child’s guardian is responsible for, and makes all your child’s UK arrangements including matching them with a lovely UK host family who they stay with during breaks from school.  When you think about a host think about a family friend or grandparent – they enjoy when your child stays with them but they don’t want to get involved with the ‘other arrangements’.

Guardian responsibilities include safeguarding including police disclosure for everyone in contact with your child, making travel arrangements and a number of other services.

Our annual guardianship fee is £1,950 + 20% VAT but if we can invoice an agent or business then we don’t charge VAT.

Our registration fee is £295 which includes a fee towards ongoing police disclosure monitoring.

You are also required to advance us an Expenses account balance so that your child's expenses are charged to it.  You will be asked to top it up when it drops below an agreed balance.

Your half term trips are paid separately in advance.

Yes we offer trips during the October, February and May half-term holidays.

Next year's trips are to great destinations -

October half term - Dubai - culture and fun

February half term - Switzerland - skiing

May half term - Greece - activity and culture

Trips should be reserved when you register for guardianship as they are booked on a first come first served basis and are subject to availability. Trips are non-refundable once booked.

Click here for more details

October Half Term        Dubai £3,000
February Half Term       Europe £3,000
May Half Term               Greece £2,500

trips include flights, accommodation, meals, excursions and activities.

The February ski holiday also includes lift pass, ski lessons and equipment

Trips do not include travel insurance.  We recommend buying annual travel insurance before arriving in the UK to cover all eventualities.

Our host families welcome our students into their home and family and organise different activities depending on their interests and your child's ideas.

The nightly fee of £60 includes accommodation, meals and laundry for longer stays.  If the host lives in the greater London area then there is a £10 per night supplement.

Activities and meals out are charged as extras and hosts can advance pocket money if younger children don't have a credit card or cash but please arrange this in advance through Academic Families.

Our amazing Airport Assistance service covers everything you need airside as well as landside.

Our chaperone will meet your child at the plane door, escort them through the airport (Passport Control, changing terminals, shopping and eating) and hand them over to one of our drivers or their transfer flight.

Likewise, when departing, the chaperone will assist with check in and support your child through the airport until they hand them over to airline staff at the departure gate.

This is a very popular service  with our young flyers.

Yes, we can organise one of our police disclosure checked drivers to transfer your child between the airport and school or their host family.

The charge is based on the distance and time travelled and is charged to your Expenses account.

Very easily!

All you need to do is complete our registration form by clicking here. We will contact you to discuss your specific requirements and confirm availability.

Payment schedule

We use the international education payment portal  - Flywire - for all international payment.  You can pay in your local currency by local bank transfer, credit card or debit card).

The Flywire online system guides you each step of the payment process and has support in many languages.  Please click here for a demonstration on how Flywire works.