The decision to place a child in international secondary education is one of the most consequential a family makes. Lead time is long, cycles are rigid, and the cost of late preparation cannot be recovered.
Entry points at Year 9, Year 10, and Sixth Form follow rigid institutional cycles. Applications to competitive UK boarding schools typically open 12 to 18 months before the entry date — and for the most selective institutions, the preparation begins earlier still.
Most families arrive at this decision with 6 months to spare. Most of the best options require 18. This is not a crisis — but it does require a very clear understanding of what is still possible, what requires a different approach, and what needs to be planned for the following cycle.
The conversation I have with families at the beginning is not about which schools are best. It is about what your child's current profile supports, what your family's long-term vision requires, and how to close the gap between the two — before the application window opens.
The curriculum question is one of the most consequential and least discussed aspects of international secondary placement. The choice between IB, A-Level, AP, IGCSE pathways, and national curricula has significant implications for university access — particularly across different countries.
I help families think through this systematically: not just which schools offer which curriculum, but which curriculum gives your child the best platform for the university outcomes you are planning towards — in the UK, the US, Europe, or elsewhere.
The school that impresses at open day is not always the school that serves your child's long-term interests. Choosing the right secondary environment is a ten-year decision — it deserves a strategic approach.
If you are considering international secondary education for your child, the right time to begin is before you feel ready. Complete the assessment to start the conversation.