secondary school and overseas students

[PavlovtheCat]

My family in USA are thinking about spending 6 months in UK so we can spend some time all together and for the cousins to all spend some time together. It will likely be mother and children coming for 6 months, father will stay in USA to work, my DH will possibly go out there for a bit to work with too, and maybe we will return to usa with them for 6 months. Anyway, logistics need ironing out.

What I want to know, is it possible for the children to go to school her in those 6 months? will they have to pay? what kind of fees if so? the children will be 4 and 13. 13 year old is clever, in a year above over in usa, so possibly bright enough for grammar, is that possible?

How would they start the process? Obviously, they need to sort out visas etc as well, and medical insurance, all that stuff, but i am just sounding out the education side of things, as if they can't access education, it won't work.

At our school, we take short term students, so I know it's possible.

Why don't you give your Education Authority a ring tomorrow and make some enquiries?

I'm sure they'll be able to assist.

hey! how you? whenever I see fancy cupcakes, I always think of you! someone made some at work last week and they were so lovely, beautiful looking and you sprang to mind immediately, i thought, mo makes them just like these!

I have been taking a look since posting, and it seems it is unlikely they can come unless they go private, which i am sure won't be too bad really, they pay in the US i think. It seems that if they already live here, they can access the education system, but they cannot apply from overseas in order to come here and learn. Fair enough really!

My school would too.

Where in the country are you? Some areas are more likely to be accommodating, but I think you should find something suitable wherever you are, without having to go private.

I think it can happen in state schools but you'd need to approach a school directly. We often have short-stay pupils, for example if a family comes to do seasonal work in Britain, or travelling families.

Sorry, x posts, in which case you apply for them perhaps?

i will look into it. I do hope it is possible, as we all miss having family close to us, we need to spend some time, and it will be so fab for the kids.

Assuming they'd be coming for 6 months on a visitor's visa? You might want to check with immigration if they'd be allowed, it may break the "no receipt of public funds" clause.

If they are coming in on a different category of visa - student (for one of the parents), or work visa, for example - can't imagine that would be an issue.

Ah it's not me and the cakes anymore. Dizzy is firmly at the top of her game on that front these days! She is fab!

What a wonderful experience for the kids, if you can get them in school here! Definately call the LEA tomorrow.

I am not sure what kind of visa, not got that far yet! the main purpose would be to spend time with us, not likely to be work visa as mother (my SIL) will be stay at home parent, but she might be wanting to do some study while here. I will chat a bit more about those types of things.

So, lets say it is a visitors visa, can they still access independent schooling? as that is not public funded?

Mo, the 4 year old would only be the year behind DD, so would be great if they could be at the same school for 6 months!

Also, any advice about when it would be best to come, independent, state school or otherwise? We were thinking it might be better the last term, so they will be here over the summer hols, to finish off the trip, but then thinking that would be harder in terms of making friends/settling/learning, so maybe start sept and come beforehand, in the summer holidays and then on to school, then they could be here for christmas too...

Not sure there would be any advantage or disadvantage on the time of year really.

I think it's probably more important to consider their education in the US, and what would be least disruptive there.

Loopy - i think the 13 year old is about to go into High school? She is a year ahead, so think that as she is about to change up, they are thinking this is a good time to take her out for a short while, as she is already in front so to speak. I think they are doing this in conjunction with the school, so I am sure they will be seeking the same kind of info as me regarding that from their end. my nephew does not yet go to school, and would not be going for another year or so over there, so any schooling over here would have no bearing on over there. SIL might choose to just send him to nursery for a couple of days over here though as he will be 4 so going to school would not be compulsory, he is at nursery now 2 days a week i think.

Oh I am getting rather excited about the possibility of them coming over!

Junior High probably.

What LA are you in? If you let me know I can try and find out for you which secondary schools are likely to take temporary foreign students.

Also, are they American nationals, or do they have dual nationality?

they are american nationals, plymouth city council is the LA or would it be devon county council? one of those...thanks loopy that is very kind of you.

language colleges, like this one are your best bet.

There is also this one but it's a grammar, so maybe an entrance exam?

I would give them both a call. The head's PA should be able to advise you on your best approach.

yes devonport high school is a great school, so is heles. there are several language schools, i will call them all this afternoon, thanks loopy