International Pupils

At Dean Close School, we are proud of our long tradition of educating pupils from across the globe; promoting leadership opportunities and ensuring full integration into all areas of School life.   

Altogether our School comprises over 30 nationalities, including many teachers who have also lived and worked internationally. This allows all to share in experiences and perspectives which enhance school life and develop the cultural awareness which is so important in our interconnected 21st Century world. 

Each year, we are excited to welcome new pupils from all over the world into our School community, celebrating our cultural diversity, both in Boarding Houses and in the classroom. All of this combines to enrich Dean Close life: we embrace every opportunity to teach and learn from our international pupils.  Our emphasis is on each individual flourishing, through contribution, courage and love. 
 

How To Apply

Pupils applying for Boarding places from homes outside of the United Kingdom are asked to apply via an educational agency.  The main reason for this is to help pupils through the selection process, assist with paperwork, legalities and translation, as required, as well as administering any entry testing. For international pupils who are not able to visit us during the admissions process, we conduct online video interviews.  If a pupil is already studying within the United Kingdom, he/she are invited to visit Dean Close where we can meet with him/her in person.

Pupils applying for a Day place can apply directly to our Admissions team.
 

Level of English Language Required

Depending upon the point of entry, a reasonable level of fluency in the English language is required in order to access the curriculum.  However, a few pupils enter the Prep School with no English and are given intensive English as a Foreign Language lessons to help them during their first couple of years in the School.  This level of support can also be continued on into the Senior School, if required.

Guardians

All international pupils must have a guardian based in the United Kingdom, as a point of contact and to arrange accommodation during holidays and Exeat weekends. The School can give details of reputable guardian agencies but we do not arrange guardianship for parents.

Applying for a Visa

The Dean Close Foundation is a Child Student Visa (previously known as Tier 4) sponsor and is able to sponsor pupils who are not British or Irish to come to the United Kingdom to study at Dean Close.

Please inform the Admissions teams in your initial enquiry if your child will require sponsorship from us.

Starting School

We hold a comprehensive International Induction at the start of the academic year in both the Preparatory and Senior schools, helping to familiarise pupils with the School campus, the English culture, their new friends and teachers.  We appreciate that many international pupils have left home for the first time, and often home is a long way away, and we make every effort to help them settle in and feel at home.

Each pupil has a group of staff who are responsible for their welfare. Parents will have regular contact from both pastoral and academic staff. School uniform can be ordered online.

International Pupils in the Senior School