International Applications

We are delighted to welcome international children and value the contribution they make to school life; adding an exciting dimension to the school community. Mutual benefit is gained from the exchange of languages and cultures, often resulting in long-lasting friendships and future opportunities in both learning and work.

Our staff are committed to working with overseas agents and parents to provide the best opportunity for our international pupils to learn in a fully integrated community. We value the partnerships we make and endeavour to provide an efficient and personal service; excellent communication with agents and parents, and a thorough understanding of the individual child makes our offering to the international community highly successful.

We receive pupils from various destinations, including Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Our boarding starts at Year 3, the British academic year in which boys and girls turn eight. For the Prep School, the latest point of entry is Year 8 which is the final year at Bryanston Prep, after which our pupils move to their chosen senior schools. Should this be the level you are considering for your child, it is highly recommended that they come for a full year. However, a number of children do come for one term or join us for a short stay, which can be from 2 weeks to half a term.

At the core of Bryanston Prep is our mission to help children of all nationalities gain the confidence and skills that will enable them to move to the next stage of their education, well on the road to becoming happy and fulfilled adults.

Taster days

Taster days and/or nights are a fun and informal way of meeting a year group and gaining an insight into life at Bryanston Prep. Our boarders love to have a new friend for a ‘sleepover’ and we would be delighted to arrange this for you. If time is short, a taster day is always a good compromise.

We always enjoy meeting prospective pupils and their families in person, but this is not always practical. Our admissions team would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Entry process

Although generally our new arrivals join us at the beginning of a term, we are very happy to accept pupils at any stage during the academic year, providing all our entry requirements are met and there are places available. In order to benefit from a total immersion into the English community, we do limit the numbers of any one nationality joining each year group. For this reason, early registration is recommended in order to secure a place.

Registration process

Please complete our enquiry form if you are at the early stages of considering Bryanston Prep or our registration form if you are ready to confirm your child’s place.

Enquiry Form Registration Form

Additional documents required for registration

There is no entry exam for admission to Bryanston Prep, but it is important that your child flourishes; we therefore pay particular attention to the academic report and reference from their current school.

It is also very important that we are aware of the level of English at which a prospective pupil is working so that appropriate support is provided. We therefore request an EAL assessment in advance of offering a place.

We have a dedicated learning support team at Bryanston Prep and also request at the point of registration that we are made aware of any learning difficulties your child may have in case extra assistance may be required.

When completing the online registration form, you will be asked to upload the following:

A copy of your child’s passport
A copy of your child’s birth certificate
A copy of their most recent academic report and reference from the school
The completed EAL assessment
The completed Personal Profile

Medical conditions, medication, and allergy information

Should your child require specific medication, have allergies or dietary constraints, it is important that the School is notified when you register. We have an extremely competent matron on our boarding house team who works closely with the senior school medical centre and the school doctor.

A full medical questionnaire is sent to parents to be returned before their child arrives at school.

All dietary requirements can be catered for by our school chef. We are a nut-free school; nothing containing any form of nuts can be consumed on the premises.

Guardians

Every child whose home is overseas or whose parents currently live or are posted abroad must have a guardian, regardless of the duration of their stay at Bryanston Prep. This guardian must be resident in the UK, over the age of 25 and should speak English.

Bryanston Prep does not arrange guardians, nor do we recommend a specific agency; however, we do recommend that you use an AEGIS accredited company. All guardianship agencies provide a variety of plans and fees to suit individual needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

In the EAL Department, specialist EAL teachers offer pupils the opportunity to improve the four English skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Equally, we aim to encourage pupils to access the whole curriculum alongside continuing EAL support.

Before and following their arrival at school the proficiency level of new EAL pupils is assessed. Once an initial assessment has taken place, specialist EAL lessons are arranged according to the pupil’s needs and these are conducted in small groups or one-to-one lessons. Pupils’ progress is carefully monitored and EAL staff liaise closely with subject teachers to ensure that EAL pupils are fully supported in all parts of the curriculum.

Long stay pupils are given the opportunity to take the Cambridge KET (Key English Test), PET (Preliminary English Test) and FCE (First Certificate in English) examinations in early June of the following year.

Throughout, Bryanston Prep has achieved 100% pass rates in the KET, PET and FCE examinations, with many pupils achieving merit passes and some attaining distinctions.

In addition to helping pupils progress through the various levels of language proficiency, the EAL Department is ready to help with general aspects of life in an overseas environment; we provide a safe framework for pupils to learn about Britain and its customs and traditions.

Once pupils have left Bryanston Prep, we offer an EAL online tuition service; providing continuity of teaching. When our overseas pupils come to Bryanston Prep for a year or for a term, during that time they prepare for a wide range of EAL examinations, from KET to FCE, they are taught intensely by our Head of EAL and obtain excellent results. On returning to their schools, many children wish to take further examinations online, under the guidance of our staff; our online tutoring service meets that need.

Prep Short Stay Programmes (Ages 10–13)

Bryanston’s Short Stay Programmes offer an introduction to British boarding school life through carefully designed pathways, shaped around each pupil’s age, interests and aspirations. Pupils become part of Bryanston’s academic and co-curricular community, learning alongside current pupils and benefiting from outstanding teaching, facilities and pastoral care.

At Bryanston Prep, the Short Stay Programme gives younger pupils a broad, supportive, and engaging introduction to the Bryanston approach.

Children are fully immersed into Prep School life, following a balanced academic timetable with their peers and enjoying a rich range of co-curricular opportunities. The programme encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence and personal growth within a supportive full boarding environment.

Flexible stay options are available, with most pupils joining for a half-term or full term. Shorter stays may be possible, subject to availability.

We may consider younger children, especially siblings, and these applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

A First Experience of Bryanston

Set in the beautiful Dorset countryside, the Prep School offers a safe and inspiring setting where children can discover new interests and develop both academically and socially. This programme is ideal for families looking for a meaningful and accessible first experience of British boarding education.

To find out more about short courses at Bryanston Prep, please contact [email protected] or complete our enquiry form.

Find out more about our Short Stay Courses Find out more about our Short Stay Courses at Bryanston Senior

Extra information

The Admissions team is here to guide and help you with any questions you may have.