Advice for parents

Using an educational agent

One of the options open to prospective international boarders and their parents is to use the services of an educational agent, as Ian Jones shows

Covered here:

 What agents offer
UK guardians
 Finding an agent
 Using an agent
 Choosing an agent

The majority of UK boarding schools now rely to some extent on agents operating in local markets overseas, although it may sometimes be necessary to approach agents directly. The way in which they operate differs from country to country. Schools normally prefer to work with only one or two agents in any particular country, as this allows a strong relationship to develop.

"Sharing a room with someone from Hong Kong allowed me to learn more about his culture, including how to use chopsticks!" Find out more about Amirul's UK boarding experience

The British Council does not accredit local agents, but in many countries it is working to increase the effectiveness and quality of agents operating on behalf of UK institutions.

The organisation is working with agents and UK institutions to help develop a network of well-trained, reliable and professional educational agents.

The British Council has developed a central package of training programmes for agents in an effort to provide them with the skills and knowledge required to provide a quality service to students and parents. Some of the training is delivered at British Council offices and some programmes are accessed online. A certificate level of online training has now been introduced in some countries – the training programme culminates in a formal final assessment. You can find out more about what agent services the British Council offers to students and parents by contacting your local British Council office.

In addition to boarding school agents, there are also agents operating for the spring and summer language schools that run in the UK during the school holidays in March/April and July/August. Language school agents will be far more involved in marketing and travel arrangements, and their commission rates are normally between 15% and 20%.

What agents offer

A boarding school agent will provide you with a number of services – in particular, the vital liaison between you and the school. Whenever a school’s head or another member of staff visits an overseas country, the local agent will arrange meetings with parents of current and potential pupils, and meetings and interviews with prospective pupils (either on an individual basis, or at an exhibition or the agent’s local office).

Increasingly, prospective international students also take tests and assessments, so that their applications can be considered as quickly as possible. In some cases, agents will arrange for local interpreters to be present during these meetings and interviews. The agent will also hold a ready supply of school prospectuses, information about studying and living in the UK, and other publicity material, which they will make available to you.

UK guardians

UK boarding schools ask parents who live overseas to appoint a UK guardian for their child. It is extremely important for international students to have a guardian who is their representative in the UK, and generally a guardian should be over 25 years of age. Guardians offer support and advice to the student, act as a point of contact whenever the parents cannot be contacted, and provide accommodation during school holidays when it is not practical for the student to return to their home country.

The school of your choice is the best initial point of contact when seeking advice on UK guardians. However, some agents will be able to arrange either an individual guardian or, more likely, comprehensive guardianship care through a guardianship organisation at a discounted rate for when the student is in the UK.

Finding an agent

There are various steps to take when looking for an educational agent. First, if close relatives or friends have successfully sent a son or daughter to a UK school, their experiences will be extremely helpful. Second, you should find out which agents are operating in your country by checking on the internet or in local educational directories. Third, you should compile your own shortlist of schools using this Guide and make sure that any agents operating for these schools in your country appear on your list. Many British Council offices will also be able to provide contact details and information on local agents and the UK institutions they represent.

You are advised to carry out as much research into the background of each agent as you can, and make sure you understand their fee scales. If you are uncertain about anything, you may also want to contact an independent UK educational consultancy.

Using an agent 

Once you have selected your agent, you will want to make the best possible use of them. If possible, seek to meet the agent in person, so the needs and ability of your child can be discussed. This will give you an opportunity to find out just how much the agent knows about the school or schools they are recommending, their links with them and the costs involved. You then need to discuss arrangements for admission and when it will be possible to meet representatives from the school, take entry tests, be interviewed and be informed of the results. You should ask if it will be necessary to be considered for other schools and, if so, how many. Once a programme has been agreed, you have to await the outcome of the application, and, if successful, start to make all the arrangements for travel and arrival at the school.

Ian Jones was Headmaster of Bedford School from 1975 to 1986 and,
until recently, he was a reporting inspector for ISI. He is now a tutor for
the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers and an educational consultant.
 

Using an educational agent Why should I consider using an educational agent? They promote schools, offer advice and assist in the admission process. Do all UK schools appoint agents? The majority of schools do use agents, but it may be necessary for you to approach one or two schools directly. Do I have to use an agent? No, you will often receive excellent advice from those who have personal experience of UK schools. What should I expect from an agent? Advice and general information on a number of schools, application and entrance procedures, scholarships, performance indicators, information on fees and visa requirements, and pre-departure assistance and advice. What won’t they know? Agents are unlikely to have in-depth knowledge of the curriculum and daily routines. Can agents guarantee admission? No. The decision will be taken by the school.