http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php Copyright 2012, William Wilcox William Wilcox en-US SPHPBLOG 0.7.0 http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry111224-172118
The Which Boarding School team wish all their clients, both past and present, a Merry Christmas and a happy and successful 2012.
]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry111224-172118 William Wilcox Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:21:18 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry111114-122340
This has meant that Which Boarding School has received a larger number of enquiries than ever this Autumn. We normally expect this period to be the quietest of the year but that has not been the case and we have been inundated with requests for advice from worried parents. Our message is not to panic. There are still plenty of places available at excellent schools but parents must not leave it to the last minute; it is vital to plan ahead and try to secure a place early in the New Year for a September 2012 start.

For free advice from one of our experts please contact us via our website.
]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry111114-122340 William Wilcox Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:23:40 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110804-192134
He will be available for free consultations with parents interested in a UK boarding school education for their children.

To book an appointment either call 00 44 (0)7845 779452 or email william@which-boarding-school.com]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110804-192134 William Wilcox Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:21:34 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110729-222619
The figures for this coming year will show whether the economic downturn which has affected much of the world has affected numbers coming to boarding schools in the UK. Our work "on the ground" would suggest not and that, if anything, the number of international boarders in the UK is likely to have grown yet again.

Fees are a huge factor. There are just not enough British families with sufficient funds to be able to afford the cost of a boarding education for their children, which is forcing boarding schools to look overseas to fill the beds. The education on offer is still first class so, as long as schools continue to look beyond these shores, demand is likely to remain high.

Next year's ISC census should reveal all!!]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110729-222619 William Wilcox Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:26:19 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110615-154753
As well as the general effect of the government proposals on teachers' pensions - higher contributions, less return and higher retirement age - those in the independent sector are facing the prospect of being excluded from the Teachers' Pension Scheme totally. Private schools are worried because, if this was to become law, it would make recruitment into the sector very difficult - and might even lead to current staff returning to the maintained sector.

At the moment, it is not clear how the action might affect UK boarding schools but schools will certainly keep parents informed if staffing levels are going to fall below the required minimum.]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110615-154753 William Wilcox Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:47:53 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110605-150553


The rise of schools like Hurtwood House which offers a sixth form only education is proof of this trend. Many schools swell in the sixth form with, in some instances, year groups doubling in size. Middle class parents now tempted to use the grammar schools, if they are lucky enough to have them in their area, sometimes see a switch at 16 as getting "the best of both worlds". Those of us working in the industry see this trend likely to continue for the foreseeable future.]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110605-150553 William Wilcox Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:05:53 GMT http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110530-150310
He added: "This proposal not only extends provision and draws upon public sector expertise, but very importantly would, for the first time, provide a truly level playing field and therefore dramatically increase social mobility. In a nutshell, all parents would be able to choose any type of school for their child."

Needless to say, the government's response was immediate and damning. A spokesman for the Department of Education stated that "we have no intention to introduce anything like the proposal put forward by the Independent Association of Prep Schools. We are committed to investing more in the education of the poorest, and that is why the new pupil premium is at the heart of this coalition government's plans for schools."

How short-sighted!! This government is determined to improve social mobility so why dismiss out of hand any proposal which might promote it. Give it the consideration it deserves. The Tories are terrified of doing anything which might be perceived as promoting the interests of the already privileged. You can see the headlines – "Tories Consider Privatising the Education System". Uproar.

But consider this. Imagine David Hanson was given the opportunity to clearly explain his proposal to England's parent body. A majority, I'm convinced, would welcome the idea of genuinely widening choice. And I have not even touched on the driving up of standards there would be when schools were actually competing for pupils!]]> http://www.which-boarding-school.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry110530-150310 William Wilcox Mon, 30 May 2011 14:03:10 GMT