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UK boarding school or international day school abroad?

For families living abroad, the big choice: keep children with you at an international day school, or send them to boarding school in the UK. Pros, cons and costs.

Last reviewed on by our editorial team

For families posted abroad, especially on long assignments or frequent moves, one of the biggest decisions is whether children should stay with the family at an international day school or board at a school in the UK.

The case for an international day school

  • The family stays together. For most families this is decisive, especially with younger children.
  • A global outlook. Children grow up with classmates from dozens of countries and often learn another language.
  • The same curriculum. British international schools follow the English curriculum, so a later return to the UK is easier.
  • Cost. Day fees abroad are often, though not always, lower than UK boarding fees.

Watch-outs: availability of good schools varies by posting. Frequent moves mean frequent changes of school, which is hardest during exam years.

The case for UK boarding

  • Continuity. One school from age 11 or 13 through to 18, whatever happens to the parents’ postings. This is especially valuable during IGCSE/GCSE and A-Level years.
  • Breadth. Many UK boarding schools offer extensive sport, music, drama and activities.
  • Independence. Boarding builds self-reliance, and prepares students for university.
  • Connection to the UK. Useful for families who see the UK as their long-term base.

Watch-outs: separation from family, the need for a UK guardian, travel logistics and cost. Boarding fees are among the highest school fees anywhere.

A common middle path

Many families use both: an international day school while children are young, then UK boarding for the exam years (from 13 or 16) when continuity matters most. Others keep children at day school and only consider boarding if a posting has no suitable school.

Questions to decide

  1. How many more moves do we expect before our youngest finishes school?
  2. How does each child feel about being away from home?
  3. Is there a strong British school in our current and likely next locations?
  4. What does our employer cover: day fees abroad, boarding fees, or both?
  5. Where do we expect our children to go to university?

See also: returning to a UK school and moving abroad with children.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do children usually start boarding?

Boarding is most common from age 11 or 13, although some prep schools take boarders from age 7 or 8. Many families living abroad start boarding at 13 or for the Sixth Form.

Do children at UK boarding schools from abroad need a guardian?

Yes. Most UK boarding schools require international pupils, including British children whose parents live abroad, to have a UK-based guardian who can look after them at exeats and in emergencies.

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