Cayman Islands Government high schools (John Gray High School or Clifton Hunter High School) only go up to the age of 16, but thankfully full-time education is compulsory until a child is at least 17. Therefore many children each year leave Government schools and compete for limited spaces on the A Level programmes at either St. Ignatius or Cayman Prep and high School. Some students also go to CIS, others to UCCI to do an Associates Degree, some to the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) and still others go overseas to boarding school. Since the Cayman Islands Government pays the fees of Caymanian students to do A Levels, one option that is affordable and available for Caymanians (who hold a British passport) is to go to a State Boarding School in the United Kingdom. Please read on for more information.
An Overview
Going to a state boarding school in the United Kingdom is an option seriously worth considering for Cayman families, who have a UK passport. There are currently over 30 state boarding schools right across the UK with boarding numbers ranging from 50 to over 600. Since the Cayman Islands Government offer scholarship funding for Caymanian students who have been accepted onto an A Level programme, the funding offered will often cover the cost of sending your child to a state boarding school. This makes an overseas boarding school experience a viable option for Cayman families who are looking to expand their child’s schooling experience but cannot afford the £46,000 a year fees for independent/private boarding school. State boarding schools in the UK cost between £4,000-£6,000 per term, as you only pay for the boarding element, and the UK Government pays for the education. They all offer very good academics, as well as a full programme of sports and after-school activities that includes numerous trips out of school in the evenings and at the weekend. However, it is worth checking how many students are full boarders as you do not want your teenager to be rattling around a school on their own at the weekends.
Eligibility
Only those with a British Passport or the Right to Residency in the UK are eligible to go to a state boarding school in the UK.
State Boarding Versus Independent School Boarding
In the realm of education, the choice between state boarding and independent schooling has often sparked lots of debate. While independent institutions have long been associated with excellent facilities and top-notch teaching, state boarding schools offer a compelling alternative, one that champions outstanding pastoral care and incredible value for money. Some of these state boarding schools are not new to the world of boarding, for example, Adams Boarding House, have been taking boarders for over 450 years.
Pastoral Care
One of the most important things to look into when choosing a boarding school is the school’s commitment to exceptional pastoral care. State boarding schools are known for their nurturing environment where students thrive emotionally, academically and socially. Every student is more than just a name on a roster; they are individuals whose well-being is paramount. These schools boat a dedicated team of pastoral staff who provide round-the-clock support, ensuring that students feel secure and valued throughout their educational journey. From academic guidance to emotional support, these mentors cultivate a sense of belonging, fostering a community where students flourish both personally and academically.
Great Value for Money
Contrary to popular belief, state boarding offers remarkable value for money without compromising on quality, providing a comprehensive educational experience at a fraction of the cost of many independent schools. They strive for academic excellence and offer a wealth of extracurricular opportunities as well as very nurturing pastoral care.
They also often offer scholarships and financial aid, which helps students from diverse backgrounds access a boarding school education, but without the burden of huge fees. State boarding schools are committed to being inclusive, so meritocracy reigns supreme, and every student is afforded an equal opportunity for success.
Although maybe not so relevant for Cayman students, UK state boarding schools will also take into account the Pupil Premium and Free School Meals which the UK Government will give as financial aid to students of parents in the Arms Forces or those who are disadvantaged. Some children will get a fully funded place at a state boarding and the UK Government will pay it. This angle is also worth investigating with the school you are interested in, and with the Cayman Islands Government.
How a Caymanian Parent Chose a UK State Boarding School For Her Son
We were not really looking at a boarding option for my son, Ned. He is an island boy at heart and did not want to go overseas. We were very happy with Cayman Prep and High School and he was doing very well there academically. However, once Ned started to mention that he didn’t think he wanted to go to university after A Levels, and possibly wanted to learn a trade and stay and work in Cayman, we decided to explore A Levels in the UK. We are happy for him to stay and learn a trade, and not go to university, but we felt it was really important that he gain some independence and life skills, away from our small island, before he settled down here. He needed the opportunity to broadened his horizons and experience something other than Cayman.
Choosing a boarding school in the UK was made somewhat easier as we already have a daughter in the UK at a private boarding school on a football scholarship, so we were familiar with boarding, and the cost of private independent schools. However, we could not afford to send two children to independent private boarding schools in the United Kingdom, but after discovering state boarding schools, this gave us the option to send Ned.
We had left it quite late to apply but we did some research and visited several on a trip to the UK in the month of July. We looked at various schools within a reasonable distance to family and friends and chose Thomas Adams for many reasons. We loved the rural location, that it is still only 1 hour by train to Manchester or Birmingham, and the smaller boarding house suited us, as we knew the move overseas would be a big adjustment. The options to join local sports teams out of school, equestrian facilities and the geography and history of the area is inspiring.
The children have a lot of independence but are guided and cared for in a way that suits their development. Thomas Adams is a selective school so there are day pupils from all over the area and that makes for a good mix of personalities and a high level of learning. We loved that there was a great mix of nationalities with the overseas boarders and they didn’t just come from one region. Some schools have high numbers from one country. There were several students from all over the Caribbean and in true Cayman style, one of the students from Turks and Caicos had a father from George Town, Grand Cayman!
For Caymanian students with British passports reviewing their A Level options, state boarding schools in the UK are certainly worth a look. I’m happy to share my experiences to anyone who is interested and provide a candid, honest breakdown of costs and logistics. As a final note, after two successful terms in the UK, Ned is now exploring university options, and the experience of boarding has given him the confidence and maturity that we hoped he would gain. Clare Thorpe clareokeefe@hotmail.com
List of State Boarding Schools in the United Kingdom:
Beechen Cliff School
Alexandra Park, Bath BA2 4RE Tel: +44 (0)1225 480466
Email: headmaster@beechencliff.org.uk
Website: www.beechencliff.org.uk
Type: Boys boarding 11-18 and day 11-16, and co-educational day 16-18
Brymore Academy
Cannington, Bridgewater, Somerset TA5 2NB
Tel: +44 (0)1278 652369
Email: office@brymore.somerset.sch.uk
Website: www.brymoreacademy.co.uk
Type: Boys boarding and day 11-17
Burford School
Cheltenham Road, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4PL
Tel: +44 (0)1993 823303
Email: office@burford.oxon.sch.uk
Website: www.burford.oxon.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-19
Colchester Royal Grammar School
6 Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3ND
Tel: +44 (0)1206 509100
Email: office@crgs.co.uk
Website: www.crgs.co.uk
Type: Boys full and weekly boarding 16-18 and day 11-16, and co-educational day 16-18
Cranbrook School
Waterloo Road, Kent TN17 3JD
Tel: +44 (0)1580 711800
Email: enquiries@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk
Website: www.cranbrookschool.co.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
Dallam School
Haverflatts Lane, Milnthorpe, Cumbria LA7 7DD
Tel: +44 (0)15395 65165
Email: enquiries@dallam.eu
Website: www.dallam.eu
Type: Co-educational full boarding and day 11-19
De Aston School
Willingham Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN8 3RF
Tel: +44 (0)1673 843415
Email: enquiries@de-aston.lincs.sch.uk
Website: www.de-aston.lincs.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Guston, Dover, Kent CT15 5EQ
Tel: +44 (0)1304 245023
Email: admin.office@doyrms.com
Website: www.doyrms.com
Type: Co-educational full boarding 11-18
Exeter Mathematics School
Rougemont House, Castle Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3PU
Type: Co-educational weekly boarding and day 16-19
Gordon’s School
West End, Woking, Surrey GU24 9PT
Tel: +44 (0)1276 858084
Email: info@gordons.surrey.sch.uk
Website: www.gordons.surrey.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
Haberdasher’s Adams
High Street, Newport, Shropshire TF10 7BD
Tel: +44 (0)1952 386300
Email: reception@adamsgs.uk
Website: www.adamsgs.uk
Type: Boys full and weekly boarding 11-18 and day 11-16, and co-educational day 16-18
The Hockerill Anglo-European College
Dunmow Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5HX
Tel: +44 (0)1279 658451
Email: admin@hockerill.com
Website: www.hockerill.com
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Holyport College
Ascot Road, Holyport, Berkshire SL6 3LE
Tel: +44 (0)1628 770442
Email: info@holyportcollege.org.uk
Website: www.holyportcollege.org.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-19
Keswick School
Vicarage Hill, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5QB
Tel: +44 (0)17687 72605
Email: admin@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Website: www.keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
East Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 3EF
Tel: +44 (0)1524 580600
Email: Via website
Website: www.lrgs.org.uk
Type: Boys full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Liverpool College
Queen’s Drive, Mossley Hill, Liverpool L18 8BG
Tel: +44 (0)151 724 4000
Email: admin@liverpoolcollege.org.uk
Website: www.liverpoolcollege.org.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding 16-19 and day 4-19
Polam Hall School
Old Swinford Hospital, Heath Lane, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1QX
Tel: +44 (0)1384 817300
Email: reception@oshsch.com
Website: www.oshsch.com
Type: Boys full and weekly boarding 11-18 and day 11-16, and co-educational day 16-18
Peter Symonds College
Owens Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 6RX
Tel: +44 (0)1962 857500
Email: psc@psc.ac.uk
Website: www.psc.ac.uk
Type: Co-educational full boarding and day 16-19
The Priory Academy LSST
Cross O’Cliff Hill, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN5 8PW
Tel: +44 (0)1522 889977
Email: generalenquiries@priorylsst.co.uk
Website: www.prioryacademies.co.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
Reading School
Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5LW
Tel: +44 (0)118 901 5600
Email: secretary@reading-school.co.uk
Website: www.reading-school.co.uk
Type: Boys boarding and day 11-18
Richard Huish College
South Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3DZ
Tel: +44 (0)1823 320800
Email: hello@huish.ac.uk
Website: www.huish.ac.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 16-19
Ripon Grammar School
Clotherholme Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 2DG
Tel: +44 (0)1765 602647
Email: admin@ripongrammar.co.uk
Website: www.ripongrammar.co.uk
Type: Co-educational weekly boarding and day 11-18
Royal Alexandra and Albert School
Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0TD
Tel: +44 (0)1737 649000
Email: admissions@gatton-park.org.uk
Website: www.raa-school.co.uk
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 7-18
The Royal Grammar School
Amersham Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 6QT
Tel: +44 (0)1494 524955
Website: www.rgshw.com
Type: Boys full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
The Royal School, Wolverhampton
Penn Road, Penn, Wolverhampton WV3 0EG
Tel: +44 (0)1902 341230
Email: admissions@theroyal.school
Website: www.theroyalschool.co.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 4-19
St George’s School
Sun Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4TD
Tel: +44 (0)1582 765477
Email: admin@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk
Website: www.stgeorges.herts.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Sexey’s School
Cole Road, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0DF
Tel: +44 (0)1749 813393
Email: enquiries@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk
Website: www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11–18
Shaftesbury School
Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8ER
Tel: +44 (0)1747 854498
Email: office@shaftesburyschool.co.uk
Website: www.shaftesburyschool.com
Type: Co-educational full boarding and day 11-18
Skegness Grammar School
Vernon Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 2QS
Tel: +44 (0)1754 610000
Email: enquiries@sgs.lincs.sch.uk
Website: www.sgs.lincs.sch.uk
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
Steyning Grammar School
Shooting Field, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RX
Tel: +44 (0)1903 814555
Email: sgs@sgs.uk.net
Website: www.sgs.uk.net
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill, Wem, Shropshire SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 (0)1939 237000
Email: contactus@tas.318education.co.uk
Website: www.thomasadams.net
Type: Co-educational full boarding and day 11-18
The Wellington Academy
Tidworth, Wiltshire SP11 9RR
Tel: +44 (0)1264 405060
Email: admin@thewellingtonacademy.org.uk
Website: www.thewellingtonacademy.org.uk
Type: Co-educational full and weekly boarding and day 11-18
Wymondham College
Golf Links Road, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9SZ
Tel: +44 (0)1953 609000
Email: enquiries@wymondhamcollege.org
Website: www.wymondhamcollege.org
Type: Co-educational boarding and day 11-18
