Here is a quick guide on how to choose the right international school for your child.

Making the move abroad can be process filled with anxiety, and the list of tasks that need to be completed can seem never ending. You may need to seek a relocation service which could help smooth the process.

 While housing, employment, banking and organising the actual move are all key considerations, from the perspective of a parent there is one key decision that needs to come to the forefront of the to-do list - finding the right international school for your child.

Children may already be unsettled by a prospective move to another country, but finding a school that will match their personal and academic needs could help them feel at ease in their new environment.
Below are some of the key aspects to keep in mind when selecting from the number of international schools on the market:

Curriculum

If your child has been taught under the National Curriculum they may have to adapt to a different schema. Many international schools subscribe to The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum which broadly falls into three phases: PYP (Primary Years Plan), MYP (Middle Years Software) and DP (Diploma Software). Other schools may combine state curriculums with the IB or British National Curriculum, while others may adhere to the curriculums of other countries such as those that follow an American curriculum.

Language of instruction

The majority of international schools deliver lessons in English, but it you are planning to make a permanent move abroad you will need to find a school that also gives a portion of lesson time to the country’s native language.

International Accreditation

You will also need to check if the school is monitored by an international body such as IBO, CIS or NCCT. Some international schools such as Harrow and Dulwich College have UK as well as international schools, so you may feel more assured of schools that have already built up a good reputation in Britain.

Services

If your child is particularly sporty you may want to ensure that a school has good sporting facilities. In the UK Smartboards and computer suites are common place and you may want to clarify that your child has access to similar benefits in a fee paying school.