Moor Park has been welcoming a small number of overseas children for a number of years and all have enjoyed the experience. We only take a small number from any one country for a full year although some do stay for longer, particularly if transferring to British senior schools. We find that both overseas children and British children benefit from this arrangement enormously, not only in terms of language, but by experiencing other cultures and by developing lasting friendships. British independent education has an enviable international reputation and, as a leading UK Prep School, Moor Park is well placed to provide the very best education for each child, no matter what their country of origin.
We find it beneficial to have more than one child from the same country as they provide support for each other, particularly in the early stages, and therefore it is unlikely that your child will feel out of place. It helps to have a reasonable level of English before coming to Moor Park, although we do find that total immersion in the language soon enables them to be understood and feel part of the Moor Park community very quickly.
We follow the English National Curriculum but the children are usually in advance of this. All overseas children will follow this curriculum but will be given academic support to enable them to participate in these lessons. We also offer subjects outside the National Curriculum e.g. Latin and Personal & Social Health Education.
It may be possible for an overseas child to study for and participate in one of the nationally recognised Cambridge Exams (KET, PET, FCE). This must be arranged separately and will incur an additional charge.
We usually use Birmingham airport (& Heathrow if required) and transport can be arranged to and from the airport. The cost will be dependent on numbers and whether a minibus or taxi is used. It will be divided between the children and will be billed separately.
We have ‘leave weekends’ (Exeat) approximately every 3 weeks when overseas students may stay with English families who have children in the school. At half term and holidays, overseas pupils are expected to return home to their families or to a nominated Guardian if they are from outside of the European Union. Do speak to us if you live outside of the EU and need help arranging a Guardian service.
From 5 October 2020, the Student route replaces the previous Tier 4 route for entry to the UK.
The Student route, which falls under the UK’s new points-based immigration system, improves on the previous Tier 4 route making for a more streamlined experience for both sponsoring institutions and students.
Visas that have been issued through the Tier 4 route are still valid.
More information about the UK’s new points-based immigration system can be found here.
Further guidance for EEA students, who from 1 January 2021 will need to comply with the new system can be found here.
EEA citizens resident in the UK before 31 December should apply to the EU settlement scheme.
From 1 January 2021, EEA and Swiss nationals visiting the UK to study for less than 6 months can do so without a visa. If in the UK for less than 6 months, and a person does not have ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status, then use of all NHS services is chargeable. Private health insurance will be required.
From 1 January 2021, in addition to non-European students, EEA and Swiss nationals visiting the UK to study for more than 6 monthswill require sponsorship by the school and will need to have a Child Student Visa. In advance of this application process, the school will issue the student with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number to be used in support of their application.
For those students already in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, the EU Settlement Scheme must be used instead.
The earliest anyone can apply for a Child Student Visa from outside the UK is 6 months prior to the start of their course. A decision is usually reached within 3 weeks.
You can travel to the UK up to a month before your course starts.
It currently costs £348 to apply for a Child Student Visa from outside the UK and £475 to extend or switch to a child student visa from inside the UK.
A healthcare surcharge is also payable as part of the visa application. This is £470 per year with a 25% discount for students. If the application is for less than 6 months within any year then the fee is halved.
The documents needed for a visa application are:-
As part of the application, you will need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you are from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
If the application is successful, you will get either:
Moor Park
Ludlow
Shropshire SY8 4DZ
T: 01584 872 342
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