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Applying to grammar schools from overseas as British citizen

78 replies

BigHedgehog · 04/09/2026 04:48

Hi all, this might be an odd question, but I’m trying to make some future life choices and wondered if anyone here has applied to a grammar school from overseas?

Both my daughter and I are British citizens, and we own a flat in England which is rented out. We currently live abroad because of my job contract. As I’m trying to make some longer-term plans, I’m thinking about returning to the UK for my daughter’s secondary education and considering a grammar school for her (2028 entry). I think she has a reasonable chance of getting a place, but if she doesn’t get it, it might make more sense for us to stay where we are for another few years while my current contract is still running. The in-year admissions to grammar schools are quite rare to my knowledge (?)

I’ve been reading a bit about it, and it seems that we may need to provide proof of address by the application deadline, and the documents should show that we reside at the address rather than own the flat. The tricky bit is that we don't want to move until we know whether she’s got a place, but I’m not sure whether she can even sit the exams without having proof of address. We don’t have any relatives in the UK, and I definitely don’t want to do anything that would go against the rules. I’ll obviously contact the school’s admissions team, but I thought I’d ask here first in case anyone has been in a similar situation. I’d be really grateful to hear how you approached it!

OP posts:
SulkingInTheCatio · 04/09/2026 06:50

Talk to the school is the only answer. But locally you wouldn’t have a chance. Dd passed the eleven plus but then didn’t get in on distance and we’re ten miles away in a rural location where normally kids from the village got in. But as the town has got bigger now the “catchment “ area has got smaller. They allocate places on distance not score.

Oth schools allocate on highest scores but I’d have thought they still have a catchment area.

Maybe if you explain the circumstances they may allow it as long as you’re back in the flat by x date?

notimagain · 04/09/2026 06:25

Darragon · 04/09/2026 06:09

I mean what could possibly be the issue with trying to access the very best taxpayer-funded education you can get, having not contributed to that system or that country’s economy yourself?

That's a bit of a leap..

No idea of the OPs situation but it's entirely possible they have contributed in the past and it's also possible to become UK non resident but still be liable UK tax on income and in some circumstances even UK NI...

Darragon · 04/09/2026 06:09

I mean what could possibly be the issue with trying to access the very best taxpayer-funded education you can get, having not contributed to that system or that country’s economy yourself?