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Admissions Process English as an Additional Language Guardianship Enquiries & Application

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International Study Centre

Learn more about our International Study Centre: Pre A-level Programme

Stamford offers the educational quality of an HMC School in one of the UK’s safest and most historic towns.

Stamford is a very inclusive school, where all students are provided with excellent education and support. We believe in respecting others and celebrating difference – and we do everything we can to help our students find the right path in life.

International Admissions Process

Step 1 - Make contact with our Registrar

The Registrar is your contact for all admission enquiries and will be able to help every step of the way.

01780 750380
internationalregistrar@stamfordschool.org.uk
Enquiry Form

Step 2 - Arrange an initial online call

Once you make contact with the Registrar, we will arrange for an introductory Zoom call to discuss length of stay, requirements and subject interests.

Step 3 - Complete your application

We will require a completed application form and payment of the £150 fee to confirm your application.

Application Form

We currently have around 160 boarders, including students from 10 different countries.

We know that living and learning in a new country can be a daunting experience, and that is why we run an induction programme and offer continuous guidance and support to ensure our students settle in well and are able to adjust to life and learning in the UK quickly and smoothly.

Our international welcome weekend takes place before the academic year starts in September, allowing new students to find their feet, familiarise themselves with the School and town itself, and complete all necessary induction tasks in advance of their first day of school.

Alex Kennedy, International Registrar

Buddy System

All new boarders are allocated a current boarder to be their ‘buddy’ during their first few weeks.

This enables students to be able to learn and understand exactly what school and boarding life at Stamford entails. It is also a great way to begin to make friends! Our House Parents are there to listen to any concerns a boarder may have, as well as answer their questions and truly make them feel as though they are living in a home away from home.

Support

Our boarders are surrounded by friendly and helpful boarding, academic and support staff, as well as a strong UK boarding community.

They are therefore well integrated in a traditional British education, whilst mixing with other students from many different countries around the world.

Boarding Houses

All six of our boarding houses are busy and vibrant and continue to be at weekends.

Our Boarding House Parents canvas the students’ interests when planning weekend activities and our students often enjoy fun outings to nearby adventures such as escape rooms, laser tag, the theatre, or dinner at a local restaurant. We have great transport links to nearby cities such as Cambridge, Lincoln, and London, which means a day trip further afield can also often be on the agenda.

Closer to home, we are very fortunate to have Rutland Water (which has a fantastic Aquapark in the summer!) and Burghley Park on our doorstep, both of which our boarders enjoy in the warmer months.

International Boarding

Culture and Interests

Our international students are particularly encouraged to share their culture and interests.

Whether that’s with a House Cooking night making dishes from their home country, or by recognising and celebrating cultural events such as Chinese New Year and Armenian Christmas.

Our boarding community is what it is because of our international students. We would love to welcome you and help you to discover Stamford Schools.

Entrance Assessment

We require a scanned passport copy, two years’ of school reports and a handwritten personal statement from all of our applicants.

All applicants will sit our online entrance assessment and take part in an interview with a senior member of academic staff.

International applicants can sit entrance papers in a number of ways; either in online in examination conditions invigilated by Stamford School, at offices of the British Council, at the applicant's current school under exam conditions, or at the offices of a recognised international agent working with Stamford School. Our Registrar will be able to help you choose which option is best for you.

Please note that, other than in exceptional circumstances, we do not permit our tests to be taken at home or administered in either lawyers’ offices or the applicant’s current school.

British Council

EAL

If English is not a student’s first language, our EAL (English as an Additional Language) Department will help establish the amount of support needed, if any.

This will be assessed using their entrance exam results and through discussion with a senior member of academic staff. Staff continue to monitor students’ progress throughout their time at Stamford.

Our EAL Department places a strong emphasis on academic progress, but supports students far beyond teaching English. Our EAL team help students adjust to life in England and learn about British customs and traditions, whilst welcoming and celebrating students’ home cultures. They also work as part of a wider team towards seamless pastoral and academic support.

Securing a VISA

Stamford is licensed to sponsor students under the Child Student route, and can support your visa application by issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

We are not immigration specialists, and therefore cannot provide legal advice.

An HMC School

As members of HMC, the professional association of the Heads of the world’s leading independent schools, we provide academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care, and very good co-curricular opportunities.

We offer 28 subjects at A Level, as well as 3 BTECs in Applied Science, Sport and Business and 1 Cambridge Technicals course in Digital Media, and students leave us to complete degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group, elite and international universities, alongside a wide range of career and study choices.

Guardianship

All international students are required to have an educational guardian based in the UK.

A guardian acts as the parents’ representative and should be available to contact 24/7 in case of an emergency. They are expected to communicate with the School regularly regarding the student’s welfare, and liaise with the School regarding travel and accommodation arrangements during school holidays.

Guardians must be appointed before a student joins us. The School cannot allocate or recommend a guardian on the parents’ behalf; it is an important decision that lies solely with the parents.

Guardianship Policy

Boarding

Information about boarding at Stamford

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Enquiry Form

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Prospectus

Read our international prospectus

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International Admissions