October half term trip to Sri Lanka
Guardianship, Students
Brand new half term trip to Sri Lanka for international students In October 2024 Academic Families launched a new destination to our half term trips,
While you’re living and studying in the UK, you can rely on us to look after you every step of the way.
We take care of all the essential details on behalf of your parents whenever they can’t be with you, helping you make the most of this wonderful opportunity.
Soon you will discover a whole new world of possibilities in the UK, with all kinds of positive opportunities, challenges and experiences to look forward to and enjoy. At the heart of it all will be your boarding school where you’ll live and study during term.
While you’re in school you’ll live in a boarding house, which is usually part of the campus. It doesn’t matter which one you join, like other students you’ll soon develop strong loyalties to your house. With lots going on from morning till lights out, it’s a great place to make new friends and develop life skills.
You’ll be welcomed on your first day by your House Parent who lives in, or close to, the boarding house with their family – creating a real family atmosphere.
At most UK boarding schools, students usually attend lessons six days a week during term.
Saturday morning school and afternoon sports might be a new concept for you, but you’ll soon get into the swing of things!
Listen to Akshay's video to hear what he enjoyed most about boarding school life in the UK.
Students and staff at boarding school seem to have their own funny way of talking. It isn't just their accent - it's boarding school lingo!
Read our blog post to make sure you understand what your peers are saying and you'll fit in instantly.
Boarding school has been the best experience of my life. You learn so much about yourself!
Academic Families has done a lot for me - I can't thank them enough. They've always done whatever they can to make me happy and at the end of the day, I've learnt a lot about myself, I've grown as a person and I've made friends which I'll keep for the rest of my life.
Akshay 17-year old student from Kenya
Several times throughout the year, we take students on holidays during school breaks.
You can experience an unforgettable trip or finetune your skills at specialty camps.
Although you might think that boarding school staff, host families or friends living nearby can act as your guardian, there are many situations that require a professional.
For example, Academic Families has local staff across the UK and are on-hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We can quickly fix problems such as helping you with your mobile top ups, or coming to the rescue if you get stuck in the airport or run out of cash while in town or on a school trip. We'll also organise your UK travel arrangements. It's important for you to remember that you can only travel with safe, security-screened drivers (never in an Uber).
As the days go by, we're also here to make sure you settle well into your classes and boarding school life. We can always help if you are missing home or don't understand something at school. Of course, we can attend school meetings that your parents are invited to. In fact we can do all the little things your parents would do if they were nearby!
When you're studying in the UK, it's important to have local assistance since your family are not close by. To be sure you have the best support, choose your guardian carefully. Make sure there are many people around you to help you fit in quickly and adjust - both academically and culturally.
As your appointed guardian, Academic Families maintains regular communication with you and your parents, as well as your school and local host family, which you may need during times when the school is closed.
Our team is on hand 24/7 to support you throughout your time in the UK. We're here and happy to help!
Academic Families has personal and professional experience with boarding schools. Many of our staff attended boarding schools themselves when they were young or have worked in them. We have all lived overseas and most of us are mothers, so we understand how important it is to find the very best education for every child no matter where that might be in the world.
From our headquarters in Edinburgh to our local staff across the UK, our team regularly visits hundreds of British schools. Our excellent knowledge of the UK education system, accreditation by the Boarding School Association (BSA) and certification from the British Council means we understand UK boarding education from the inside and out, and know how to ensure the best education for each child.
In addition, our guardianship service has been Gold accredited by AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) since 2016 and also by the BSA, so you know, with Academic Families, you're guaranteed to have the best local support anywhere in the UK.
Moreover, our team are trained MHFA Mental Health First Aiders so we are qualified to support our students with any wellbeing and mental health concerns.
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