There are many reasons why you may wish for your child to be educated in the UK and we are delighted that you are considering Pangbourne as a suitable boarding school. We are very proud to welcome children from all around the world to study at our wonderful, nurturing College. Our modern, mixed day and boarding school offers an all-round education, combining academics with character development and our all-encompassing Flag Values.
International pupils at Pangbourne have access to the full range of pastoral care within their Divisions, and participate in a broad range of activities during their time with us. Most importantly, international pupils become fully integrated into the Pangbourne community, enabling them to flourish in their new environment.
For more information, please visit our International Students page.
International Pupil Admissions
Before entry, all pupils take English language tests as we are required to ensure that all overseas and international pupils joining the College are sufficiently competent English speakers when they arrive. This is to ensure English is spoken at a level which will enable them to participate fully in College life and access our curriculum. However, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is given to those who require it. Pupils from overseas are also asked to take mathematics tests and be interviewed before a place can be offered to them.
Overseas pupils are expected to complete a course of study such as the two year GCSE programme or two year, pre-university programmes. Only exceptionally are overseas pupils offered a short-term programme (minimum two terms).
Upon being offered a place at the College, pupils will receive a letter which may ask them to take English as an Additional Language (EAL) lessons at an additional cost. Pupils asked to do so will be assessed according to their national qualifications and language skills.
New pupils are retested when they arrive at the College. Specialist EAL teachers will offer support on a group or individual basis depending on each child’s needs to help them to reach their full potential. Their language skills will be developed in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and we will help them to expand vocabulary, grammar and cultural awareness.
Working with agents
We welcome the opportunity to work with Agents and recommend that in the first instance, Agents should make contact with the Admissions team to discuss and familiarise themselves with the College and for us to advise them about the correct entry points and place availability for their candidates. All Agents are required to sign an agency agreement.
Admissions Process for International Students
Pangbourne welcomes entry to the College into all year groups for pupils from overseas. The process for entry differs slightly from the one followed by applicants living in the UK. This is to allow for the different backgrounds and educational experiences of our International students.
There are three standard points of entry into the College:
The entrance assessment process in the UK, takes place in November before the year of entry. In order to be considered for entry alongside the UK applicants, we recommend that pupils are registered by October prior to the year of entry.
Register
To register your child please complete the online registration form and pay the £150 (+ VAT £180) non-refundable registration fee. Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places. Please do contact the Admissions team if you would like to discuss this.
If your child has any SEN/Learning Support needs, this should also be indicated on the registration form and submitted with supporting documentation. The Admissions team will contact you to discuss further the appropriate access arrangements for the entrance assessment.
Experience
Once your child is registered, the admissions team will guide you through the next steps of the process and if you are not in the UK, we can offer opportunities to meet key staff remotely.
Assessment
The assessment day in the UK takes place in mid-November and we advise taking the entry tests around the same time if possible. If tests are being taken overseas, you will need to make the necessary arrangements for this to take place at a centre approved for testing by Pangbourne College.
In addition to the test, each pupil will be interviewed remotely as part of our assessment to enable us to find out more about them, as well as their interests and hobbies. At the start of the interview, pupils will need to show a copy of their Passport or ID to verify their identity to the interviewer.
The entrance assessment will consist of computer-based assessments that measure a pupil’s English Knowledge (45 minutes), English Writing (20 minutes) and Mathematics (60 Minutes).
As part of our assessment process, we will request copies of your child’s latest school reports to support their application.
Reflection and Decision
Once the assessment process is complete, we will notify parents by email with the outcome of their application.
On receiving an offer, you have the opportunity to reflect and consider whether you feel that Pangbourne is the school where your child will flourish. If you have any unanswered questions, or need more information our Admissions team will be happy to help. Whether it’s a simple question, speaking to a key member of staff or visiting us again we will ensure you have all you need to make your decision.
When we make an offer of a place, we firmly believe that Pangbourne is the right school for that child. Offers need to be formally accepted together with a deposit payment.
Join
Starting a new school is a big step for the whole family, our Admissions team will keep you informed and guide you through to the point your child joins school in September.
If your child requires Sponsorship for a Visa to study at Pangbourne, we will make contact with you in May/June of the year of entry, to request a copy of the Passport you will use to apply for the Visa and prepare the documentation to apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you need to find out more about Visas to study in the UK, you can do so on the Government UK Website: https://www.gov.uk/child-study-visa.
At the start of the new academic year, you will be invited to a welcome event where you can meet other families who will be joining Pangbourne. You will also meet the Housemaster of Dunbar Division (Year 7 and Year 8) and key members of the teaching and pastoral team.
Your child will take part in a series of induction activities, focussed on helping them settle into their new community and surroundings.
Boarders are invited to arrive at the College on the day before the first official day of term. We publish our Term Dates on the website and keep this information up to date.
In the UK, the assessment for entry into Year 9 takes place whilst a child is in Year 6 and we recommend that they register when in Year 5. Late applications may be considered if places are still available.
Register
To register your child please complete the online registration form and pay the £150 (+ VAT £180) non-refundable registration fee. Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places. Please do contact the Admissions team if you would like to discuss this.
If your child has any SEN/Learning Support needs, this should also be indicated on the registration form and submitted with supporting documentation. The Admissions team will contact you to discuss further the appropriate access arrangements for the entrance assessment.
Experience
Once your child is registered, the admissions team will guide you through the next steps of the process and if you are not in the UK, we can offer opportunities to meet key staff remotely.
Assessment
The assessment day in the UK takes place in mid-November and we advise taking the entry tests around the same time if possible. If tests are being taken overseas, you will need to make the necessary arrangements for this to take place at a centre approved for testing by Pangbourne College. In addition to the test, each pupil will be interviewed remotely as part of our assessment to enable us to find out more about them, as well as their interests and hobbies. At the start of the interview, pupils will need to show a copy of their Passport or ID to verify their identity to the interviewer.
The entrance assessment will consist of computer-based assessments that measure a pupil’s English Knowledge (60 minutes), English Writing (30 minutes) and Mathematics (60 Minutes).
As part of our assessment process, we will request copies of your child’s latest school reports to support their application.
Reflection and Decision
Once the assessment process is complete, we will notify parents by email with the outcome of their application.
On receiving an offer, you have the opportunity to reflect and consider whether you feel that Pangbourne is the school where your child will flourish. If you have any unanswered questions, or need more information our Admissions team will be happy to help. Whether it’s a simple question, speaking to a key member of staff or paying us a visit, we will ensure you have all you need to make your decision.
When we make an offer of a place, we firmly believe that Pangbourne is the right school for your child. Offers need to be formally accepted together with a deposit payment.
Join
In the Summer term before your child is due to join, your family will be invited to a welcome event if you are in the UK at the time. This will offer an opportunity to meet the other families who will be joining our community. You will also meet the Housemaster/mistress of your child’s Division (boarding house) and other key members of the teaching and pastoral team. If, however, you are not in the UK and unable to attend, we will offer you the opportunity to have an online meeting with the Head of Boarding or your child’s Housemaster/Housemistress.
Naturally, we will guide you through all of the preparations required in the run-up to starting at Pangbourne.
If your child requires Sponsorship for a Visa to study at Pangbourne, we will make contact with you in May/June of the year of entry, to request a copy of the Passport you will use to apply for the Visa and prepare the documentation to apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you need to find out more about Visas to study in the UK, you can do so on the Government UK Website: www.gov.uk/child-study-visa.
The first days of the new school year are dedicated to inducting our new starters and helping them settle into their new community and surroundings. Boarders are invited to arrive at the College on the day before the first official day of term. We publish our Term Dates on the website and keep this information up to date.
We recommend that applicants are registered a minimum of one year prior to joining. The initial entrance assessments take place in November prior to the year of entry and offers are made in December. Late applicants may be considered, subject to place availability. Assessment and interviews will be arranged on an individual basis.
If a student is at an International School and working towards a GCSE or iGCSE qualification, entry into Sixth Form is conditional on performance in these exams and successful candidates are expected to have at least five grade 4 GCSEs (to include English and mathematics). This general entry criteria needs to be in conjunction with the A Level or BTEC subject specific requirement.
If a student is not at a school that is following the UK Curriculum, we will use our own assessments to make our decisions about places and offers will not be conditional on local exam performance.
Register
To register your child please complete the online registration form and pay the £150 (+ VAT £180) non-refundable registration fee. Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places. Please do contact the Admissions team if you would like to discuss this.
If your child has any SEN/Learning Support needs, this should also be indicated on the registration form and submitted with supporting documentation. The Admissions team will contact you to discuss further the appropriate access arrangements for the entrance assessment.
Experience
Once your child is registered, the admissions team will guide you through the next steps of the process and if you are not in the UK, we can offer an opportunity to meet key staff remotely.
Assessment
The assessment consists of a computer-based test that measures a pupil’s English Knowledge (60 minutes), English Writing (30 minutes) and Mathematics (60 Minutes).
If tests are being taken overseas, you will need to make the necessary arrangements for this to take place at a centre approved for testing by Pangbourne College. In addition to the test, each pupil will be interviewed remotely as part of our assessment to enable us to find out more about them, as well as their interests and hobbies. At the start of the interview, pupils will need to show a copy of their Passport or ID to verify their identity to the interviewer.
As part of our assessment process, we will request copies of your child’s latest school reports to support their application.
Reflection and Decision
Once the assessment process is complete, we will email you with the outcome of the application.
On receiving an offer, you have the opportunity to reflect and consider whether you feel that Pangbourne is the school where your child will flourish. If you have any unanswered questions or need more information our Admissions team will be happy to help. Whether it’s a simple question, speaking to a key member of staff or visiting us again we will ensure you have all you need to make your decision.
When we make an offer of a place for Sixth Form, we firmly believe that Pangbourne is the right school for your child, where they will have the opportunity to shape their future beyond school and be in the best position to take the next step. Offers need to be formally accepted together with a deposit payment.
Join
Starting a new school is a big step for the whole family, our Admissions team will keep you informed and guide you through to the point your child joins school in September.
If your child has taken GCSE or iGCSEs, you will need to communicate their results to the Admissions team and the place will be confirmed should all conditions of entry be met.
If your child requires Sponsorship for a Visa to study at Pangbourne, we will make contact with you in May/June of the year of entry, to request a copy of the Passport you will use to apply for the Visa and prepare the documentation to apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you need to find out more about Visas to study in the UK, you can do so on the Government UK Website: www.gov.uk/child-study-visa
A programme of induction is in place to ensure the transition to Sixth Form is positive and helps you find your feet quickly, adapting to your new surroundings and the Pangbourne community. If you are not in the UK and therefore unable to attend, we will offer you the opportunity to have an online meeting with the Head of Boarding or your child’s Housemaster/Housemistress.
Boarders are invited to arrive at the College on the day before the first official day of term. We publish our Term Dates on the website and keep this information up to date.
Admission may be possible at other entry points depending on place availability, please contact the Admissions team for details.
