Academic Families will on the 25th of September 2023, at Sheraton Kampala, Hotel host an enlightening education fair, aptly themed the ‘Overseas Boarding Schools Expo. CEO East Africa Magazine interviewed Lorna Clayton, Managing Director, and Founder of Academic Families, who shared insightful details about the fair. Specifically, she provided valuable advice for parents offering a glimpse into what they can eagerly anticipate.
What is Academic Families?
Academic Families is a UK-based education consultancy placing international pupils in UK boarding schools. Our premier placement service (British Council Distinction), coupled with our AEGIS-accredited guardianship, enables families to choose the best-matched school for their child regardless of its location. Our Guardianship team provide the local support our international families require when their child is not in school – pastoral, educational, pupil travel arrangements and matched homestay hosts.
We support families from their initial interest until their child’s last day in education. Each child’s well-being is always at the forefront of our support.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind organising this education fair for the community in Uganda?
The inspiration behind organising this education fair for the community in Uganda stems from our extensive experience in placing students from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda into UK boarding schools over the past seven years. Throughout this period, we have received referrals from very happy parents and students leading to our expansion across East Africa. In our pursuit of providing tailored educational solutions, we have conducted two visits to Uganda to gain a deep understanding of the local families’ specific requirements for international boarding education.
We recognise that Ugandan students possess unique qualities that make them highly sought after by UK boarding schools. These qualities include their strong academic performance, often excelling in the same curriculum as UK institutions. Moreover, Ugandan students exhibit remarkable resilience, a positive attitude, leadership skills, and an exceptional ability to foster positive relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds. These attributes make them valuable assets to the boarding school communities they become a part of.
We firmly believe that now is the opportune moment to introduce top British boarding schools to Ugandan families, enabling them to further nurture their children as global citizens. However, we understand that choosing the right school can be a complex decision. Therefore, our dedicated consulting team is committed to guiding and supporting families at every stage of the process. Our thorough consultation ensures that we fully comprehend the individual requirements of both students and parents before recommending a carefully curated shortlist of schools. This personalised approach aims to facilitate the best possible educational fit for each child, fostering their growth and development.
What are the main goals and objectives you hope to achieve through this education fair?
We seek to introduce carefully selected top boarding schools to Ugandan families. This introduction will provide families with a first-hand opportunity to understand that their children are highly valued in UK and Canadian boarding schools. They will have the chance to engage with representatives from these prestigious institutions and have their questions answered.
We intend to emphasise to families that they can confidently send their child to a UK boarding school with the assurance that Academic Families will provide comprehensive support. This support extends to helping families find the school that best suits their child’s needs, ensuring their safety, success, and overall happiness. Furthermore, Academic Families can offer professional guardianship services to provide the necessary support for students studying far from home.
It is essential to convey to parents that they must prioritise their child’s unique needs when selecting a school. We aim to educate parents that they can access professional expertise and knowledge throughout this decision-making process. This guidance will help ensure that their search for the best school remains focused on their child’s individual requirements, avoiding any potential side-tracking by well-intentioned advice from friends and family, who may have a limited view of the available school options.
We recognise the importance of fostering understanding between boarding school staff and students regarding the students’ cultural backgrounds and environments. This fair will facilitate an understanding of the students’ perspectives, including the emotions they experience when arriving at school after a long journey from home.
Lastly, we aim to convey the fact that UK boarding schools actively recruit students from around the world. Ugandan students, while interacting with British peers, will also have the opportunity to mingle with students from various nationalities. This global exposure is a distinctive feature of UK boarding schools, offering students a truly international British experience.
What constraints do parents / guardians and students face while seeking international education?
The abundance of excellent international schools can often be overwhelming for parents. The sheer variety of options can lead to confusion and make it challenging to identify the most suitable school for their child.
While it’s a common decision for parents in East Africa to send their children abroad for education, they may receive advice from other parents whose child is already studying overseas. However, this advice is often informal and not necessarily based on professional expertise. The chosen school that works well for one child may not be the best fit for another. This informal advice can further complicate the decision-making process, leaving parents unsure about the most suitable school for their own child.
Many parents in East Africa lead busy lives and have limited time available for in-depth school research. As a result, they may rely on word-of-mouth recommendations or hearsay rather than conducting thorough research to assess the compatibility between their child and the school. In some cases, parents may prioritise a school’s reputation or name recognition over whether it aligns with their child’s specific needs.
Each child is unique and has their own set of strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. However, parents might not always consider this individuality when selecting a school. Instead, they may focus on a school’s reputation without taking into account whether it is the right fit for their child’s personality and educational requirements.
How do you envision this education fair contributing to the local educational landscape and opportunities for students?
This education fair aims to:
Help parents understand that introducing their child to independent living within the structured environment of a boarding school can prepare them for university life, especially if they are not UK streetwise. The support from both the school and Academic Families’ guardianship will be crucial in this transition.
Inspire students to work diligently toward their goal of studying abroad, fostering their excitement and motivation.
Academic Families is a UK-based education consultancy placing international pupils in UK boarding schools. Our premier placement service (British Council Distinction), coupled with our AEGIS-accredited guardianship, enables families to choose the best-matched school for their child regardless of its location. Our Guardianship team provide the local support our international families require when their child is not in school – pastoral, educational, pupil travel arrangements and matched homestay hosts.
Lorna Clayton
Provide Ugandan students with access to a wider range of educational opportunities, including various curriculums, subjects, teaching styles, and assessments available in the UK. Additionally, they can explore diverse extracurricular activities such as equestrian programmes, sports academies, and schools catering to different learning styles or needs.
Highlight that UK boarding schools not only serve as a pathway to UK universities but also increasingly act as gateways to global universities. This broader perspective can make Ugandan students highly sought after by universities worldwide, enhancing their prospects for global careers.
What kinds of institutions, organisations, or resources will be represented at the fair to support students and parents?
The education fair will feature the following institutions, organisations, and resources to support students and parents:
Academic Families Education Consultants: Parents can visit the Academic Families Education Consultants stand to seek guidance on selecting schools to meet and receive professional support in finding the best school for their child.
Five Selected Schools: These schools cater mainly to students aged 11 to 18. Three of them are co-educational, while one is exclusively for girls, and another is exclusively for boys. These schools are located in different English regions and have been chosen to showcase the excellence available to East African students. They offer a diverse range of:
- Examination systems
- Sports programmes
- Music, arts, and drama opportunities
- Extracurricular activities
All of these schools are committed to recruiting East African students and provide welcoming, integrated, and thriving school communities where Ugandan children can thrive and excel.
What advice would you give to parents and students who are attending the fair to make the most out of the experience?
We recommend the following advice for parents and students attending the fair to maximise their experience:
Plan ahead: Families should consider their timeline for enrolling in a boarding school. They should think about the type of education they desire for their child, including curriculum and extracurricular activities. Additionally, they should be open to exploring schools in various countries, as Academic Families can place students in top boarding schools worldwide, not just in the UK.
Focus on student’s needs: Emphasise that the location and proximity to personal support are not the only critical factors. Instead, prioritise understanding the student’s unique requirements and aspirations. Academic Families can provide local support through their guardianship programme.
Consult with education consultants: Parents should schedule a consultation with Academic Families’ education consultants. This consultation will provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to the family’s specific needs. Link
Research schools: Families should thoroughly research the five schools participating in the fair. Prepare a list of questions in advance to gain a comprehensive understanding of each school’s offerings. Students should actively engage in this process, as schools often remember enthusiastic and engaged students who show a genuine interest in their programs. The schools include:
- Roedean School
- Rossall School
- Royal Hospital Schools
- Bedford School
- Felsted School