British boarding schools set sight on Indian shores

In a gradual shift from the past wherein elite British boarding schools were confined to looking at South Asian countries such as China, they are now training their sights at India as a potential market.

For the first time ever, these boarding schools have formed a consortium consisting of nine leading UK boarding schools, and will interview students and meet local schools. The consortium includes schools such as Moreton Hall School, The Royal Wolverhampton School, Headington School, Oundle School and Abbots Bromley School from the UK, which have come to improve the enrolment rate of students — currently less than 2 to 3 per school.

“The surge in international boarding schools in India has shown that Indians have developed an appetite for international education.We already have many British Asians studying in our schools, so India was a logical step,” said Michael Couch, school representative of the British Boarding Schools.

The schools also claim that the courses given in these schools will enable students to internalise the right attitude, analytical skills and disciplinary qualities that will easily get them accepted into the top universities in the UK.

Caitorina Redding, head of International Admissions, Oundle School, said, ‘’ Most of the schools have personal links with several universities, so we arrange for interactions, and they come to our campus for admissions. Over two years, students are exposed to mock interviews and tests. We give opportunities to conduct research, so they have plenty of impressive papers or research work to show in their college applications.”

The heads of around four schools will meet local schools looking for partnerships and exchange programme opportunities. International schools in India, such as the American School of Bombay at the Bandra Kurla Complex, are high on the list.