EDUCATION ADVISERS

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful festive break and are feeling refreshed for the year ahead. Our team is energised and ready to support families in finding the perfect educational fit for their children in 2026.

The education landscape is evolving, and we’re excited about the opportunities this brings. While the introduction of VAT on school fees has posed challenges, British boarding schools continue to shine globally for their exceptional academic standards and outstanding pastoral care.

Even more encouraging is the surge in short-term and immersion programmes, which are sparking renewed interest and growth across the sector. These flexible options are opening doors for families seeking enriching experiences without long-term commitments.

Read on to discover how these developments could benefit your child and explore the exciting possibilities ahead!

Easter Revision Webinar - sign up!

Are you looking for the best Easter Revision courses for 2026? We will be joined by Sevenoaks School UK, Sherborne International, MPW in London, Birmingham and Cambridge and Oxford Science Studies to deliver an informative webinar focussing on the importance of Easter Revision.

Please sign up now - click here.

Date: 14 January 2026

Time: 12:00 PM (GMT)

Topic: How to choose the right Easter Revision course for your child.

Our Education Advisers team & the very experienced providers above will guide you through the top options and help you to make the best choice for your child’s success.

Have a look at our dedicated website to see the wide variety of options.

You can also read our helpful Blog - Revision Courses Are They Worth It - click here.

The Use of Smart Phones at School

Few issues divide opinion in schools today quite like the role of smartphones. For some families, the device is a lifeline offering connection, safety and organisation. For others, it is a distraction, a source of anxiety, or a barrier to meaningful learning.

Recent discussions across the independent school sector, including contrasting perspectives from school leaders such as Peter Thakrey (Bedales) and Natalie Shaw (Dame Allan’s Schools), highlight just how nuanced this debate has become.

Please read the full debate on pages 48-49 of the Independent School Parent Magazine Autumn 2025.

As impartial education advisers, our role is to help families to navigate this landscape with clarity, nuance, and a focus on student wellbeing. Please read our blog for more information on this thorny issue including an update on which countries have banned smart phones in schools.

Our A Level & GCSE 2025 League Tables are live!

Our globally-recognised tables of the highest-performing British independent schools are based on the publicly available results of GCSE, A-Level and IB Diploma exams taken in 2025, and/or verified submissions from schools. Click here to see the top performing schools.

Please note that we do not currently include BTEC results in our rankings, but please be aware that an increasing number of schools offer Level 3 BTEC qualifications in addition to A Levels.

Congratulations to the pupils from Cardiff Sixth Form College who boast the top independent Co-Ed day and boarding school results in the A Level table with a score of 94.09% at A/A*. St Paul's Girls' School was the top Independent Day School for GCSE with an incredible 99.54% at A/A* and Brighton College was the top Co-Ed boarding school for GCSE with 98% at A/A*.

Late Uni application via UCAS

The UC- 2026. If you fail to meet the 14th January deadline, then some courses will no longer have spaces.

Earlier is no better!

Families often worry and push to submit an application early in the autumn term. In spite of reassuring them that every application is considered equally up until 14th January, families can find this hard to understand. Additional pressure builds as friends begin to receive offers during the autumn term. They are terrified that their preferred universities will run out of spaces.

There is still time! Please read our late applications blog and contact us for support - +44 303 003 2259. At Education Advisers, we have a wealth of experience in supporting UCAS candidates, even in the final days before the equal consideration deadline. We'd love to hear from you if you need a helping hand.

Why Your Child Needs AI Literacy – Not Just Screen Time

Children today are growing up surrounded by artificial intelligence (AI), from voice assistants to recommendation algorithms. Experts warn that unless schools teach AI and computing skills as core subjects on a par with reading and writing many young people could be left behind.

We were interested to read a recent report in the news

(click here) where Philip Colligan, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, says understanding how AI works is essential for future independence. “If you don’t know how automated decisions are made, you can’t challenge them,” he explains. These decisions already influence what we watch and listen to, and soon they’ll affect healthcare, finance, and even justice.

Yet we see that fewer students are taking computing GCSEs, and some believe coding is becoming obsolete because AI can write code. Colligan disagrees: “The idea that kids don’t need to learn this anymore is not only flawed it is also dangerous.” Without these skills, children risk becoming passive users of technology rather than informed citizens.

The concern is also about fairness. Children in well-resourced schools may gain AI literacy, while others miss out, creating a social divide. As Colligan warns: “Some kids will be in a much stronger position as citizens. Others will be on the receiving end of automated decisions.”

What can parents do?

Encourage curiosity about how technology works, not just how to use it.
Support schools offering coding and AI clubs.
Advocate for computing education as a core subject.
Keep up to date as an adult so you can discuss AI coherently with your child.

AI isn’t just the future it is your child’s present. Helping them understand it is as important as teaching them to read. Our team are ready to help you choose the schools who are leading the field in this area. There are also some great resources on the Raspberry Pi Website.

There are some super opportunities within our summer school courses - take a look at this Future Founders 2 week programme with Sedbergh School. They offer a section on Master Tech and Innovations where students will explore AI, coding, and the digital tools that power modern businesses, giving them a future-ready skill set.

Summer School Fun

Choosing the right summer school can be one of the most rewarding decisions for your child. A high-quality summer programme offers far more than just a way to fill the holidays it’s an opportunity to learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and experience personal growth in a safe, inspiring environment.

Whether your child dreams of mastering a sport, exploring STEM subjects, perfecting their dance moves, or improving their English language skills, the UK is home to some of the finest summer schools in the world.

At bestsummerschools.co.uk we make finding the perfect programme simple and stress-free. Every course featured on our site is carefully curated by expert consultants, ensuring exceptional quality and a memorable experience.

Our wide range of options includes sports camps, dance workshops, STEM courses, and English language programmes, catering to every interest and ability level.

Browsing is easy - enjoy scrolling through our handpicked selection and, when you find a programme you love, simply request more information directly from the page. Not sure which course is right for your child? Don’t worry! Our friendly team is always on hand to offer personalised guidance and suggestions. With such a vast choice, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed but that’s where we come in.

Attending a summer school is more than just fun - it builds confidence, independence, and cultural awareness. It’s a chance to step outside the classroom, discover new passions, and gain skills that last a lifetime.

One Term Boarding School Experience

Spending a term at a British boarding school offers international students a truly immersive educational and cultural experience.

For many, it is a unique opportunity to study within one of the world’s most respected education systems while developing confidence, independence and lifelong global friendships.

Academically, British boarding schools are renowned for their high standards, small class sizes and inspirational teaching. Students benefit from a broad curriculum that encourages curiosity, critical thinking and academic ambition. A short‑term placement allows international students to experience the rigour and creativity of British education, often boosting confidence and performance when they return to their home schools.

Students can enjoy all the benefits of a British boarding education without the pressure of committing to a full academic transfer. This makes it an ideal option for families who wish to explore the UK education system, enrich their child’s learning or prepare for future international study, while maintaining continuity with their home curriculum and friendships. A short‑term stay provides valuable insight and enrichment without long‑term disruption.

One term at a British boarding school is more than an educational visit - it is a flexible, enriching experience that broadens horizons and opens doors to a truly global outlook. Read more here.

Education Advisers are independent consultants and specialise in providing advice and assistance to families looking for the best private school for their child. Contact us for a free consultation to find out how we can help. Call +44 203 003 2259, email us or complete an Enquiry Form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.