A boarding prep school in the UK offers a unique opportunity for children to become part of a nurturing environment and to establish themselves early within the UK educational system. At Hazlegrove, children benefit from being based in a family environment with caring Houseparents and pastoral care team at the same time as benefiting from a world-class education.
Time at Hazlegrove Prep School allows children to enjoy a vibrant and creative learning and living space whilst establishing strong friendships with other children and accessing the English language on a day-to-day basis. We offer the chance for a child to really celebrate their childhood in a safe environment whilst developing an independence and sense of who they are in the world. Specialist teachers ensure that children are fully prepared for the next steps in their educational career.
Hazlegrove has strong links with a large number of prestigious senior schools to which our children go on such as Eton, Winchester, Cheltenham Ladies College, Sherborne, Wycombe Abbey and many more.
Boarding from the age of 7+ in the UK ensures that your child becomes more proficient in their use of the English language at a younger age. Children understand boarding school life and culture ahead of their senior school choice leading to children being far better prepared for the all-important years when external examinations take place. Children can start their senior schools and ‘hit the ground running’, having built up their confidence at Hazlegrove as well as having culturally adapted to their environment.
Moving to the UK, places a child within a uniquely nurturing environment whereby our staff get to know your child and help them to have a smoother transition to senior school as well as go on to develop a culturally diverse group of friends at senior school.
We recommend that pupils stay for a minimum of one year and a number will stay for several years, however, we also offer short stay options of one or two terms.
EAL/EFL tuition is provided on an individual and small group basis. Courses are differentiated to take into account the pupil's individual abilities and their future needs. Children who want to work towards an examinable level (KET, PET and FCE) appropriate for them will gain skills and knowledge through their EAL lessons that will help then towards the examination. They can then, if they wish, enter for these exams privately.
Tuition concentrates on the core areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening, using a variety of approaches. Language support for other areas of the curriculum is also given.
Our daughter adores Hazlegrove and despite all of the challenges that we face as an Overseas Boarding Family; she remains so relaxed at school and dedicated to her studies that we know she must feel very happy and secure with you and for that, we are so grateful.
Hazlegrove Boarding Parents
It is always a pleasure to welcome new families to Hazlegrove and we are pleased to say that we are very much open for families to visit. This can be via one of our Open Days or at any other time which is convenient for you. It will be a pleasure to see you.
If you are unable to visit, our alternative is to arrange a time for you to meet the Headmaster or other senior members of staff via TEAMS or telephone. Also, our ‘Welcome Video’ is available in its entirety on the website which will give you an excellent introduction to life at Hazlegrove. We also have a wonderful network of parent representatives who would be very happy to chat to you about the school and their experiences as members of the Hazlegrove family.
Teams Apppointment
If a child is unable to visit Hazlegrove, we are able to help using Teams in order to ensure that you have good communications and access to the School. We would be delighted to make the necessary arrangements for your son or daughter to meet members of staff via an online appointment.
Taster Sessions and Assessment
We welcome applications from overseas pupils who can demonstrate that they have sufficient English to be able to cope with the requirements of the curriculum. Ideally, the pupil will visit Hazlegrove for a taster day during which we can assess the pupil.
Pupils for whom English is a second language and who cannot attend a taster day are invited to take part in an online reading and comprehension assessment with the Head of EAL (English as an Additional Language) as part of a two stage Teams interview where we get to know the pupil and can assess their level of English competence. In addition, the pupils will be sent a maths paper to complete independently at home and will be asked to write a letter about their interests and family to show their use of vocabulary, spelling and writing ability.
Parents will also be asked to supply school reports for the previous academic year. An offer of a place will usually be made for pupils applying following a taster day at the School or a Teams appointment.
For those parents who are overseas, a Letter of Parental Consent is required as well as a completed Questionnaire for Parents Prior to the assignment of a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance for Studies), which is a requirement for the Visa application. We expect pupils to fully integrate into the academic, pastoral and extra-curriculum life of Hazlegrove.
Accepting an offer of a place
Once the offer of a place has been made by the school, the place can be secured by completing the Acceptance Form, accepting the School’s Terms and Conditions as detailed in the Parent / School Contract.
An Acceptance Deposit is payable when accepting the offer of a place. This is held by the school and credited against the final payment of fees or other sums due to the school on leaving. See the Terms and Conditions for further details.
Additional Deposit is payable in addition to the Acceptance Deposit by the parents of pupils whose normal residence is outside of the United Kingdom. See the Terms and Conditions for further details.
Acceptance forms are sent with the letter offering a place and must be returned to the Admissions Office within the time limit specified. Forms received subsequently will still be considered, but where there are limited spaces in a year group we reserve the right to offer the place to another family.
Uniform
The school uniform shop is located on site and holds stock to cover the complete school uniform as well as other useful items. When fitting out a new pupil with a complete uniform parents are encouraged to make a personal appointment. A supply of good quality second hand uniform is sometimes available.
New Joiners Information
New Joiners Information will be sent out via email as usual in the term prior to your child joining the school.
Educational Guardians
All pupils whose parents are resident outside of the UK require a UK based Educational Guardian.
An Educational Guardian is appointed by parents (or legal guardians) to accept parental responsibility on a temporary basis whilst a child attends an education setting far from home. In its simplest setting it can be performed by a relative or family friend, or an Educational Guardian Organisation (EGO) can be appointed, but it is important that the parents and the Educational Guardian are fully aware of the requirements expected of them by the School. They do need to live within about two hours of the School in order that your child can be collected if they become unwell and need to be with family.
For those families who do not have relatives in the UK, we suggest that you employ the services of a guardianship company in the UK who can arrange travel and home-stay accommodation at times when the School is closed. The School is not able to make these arrangements, however, we can direct you to AEGIS: The Association of Guardians for International Students.
The Boarding Schools Association (BSA) has recently updated their information and guidance regarding Educational Guardians, a link to which can be found here.
