Corporate Relocation Services have evolved over the years. Today it is not just about finding a property for families to rent or buy but finding the right home in a “good school area”. For us this is right at the top of our priority list.
Finding the right schools for our clients’ children is paramount and an ever-increasing challenge. Recent figures show that one in ten children fail to get a place at their first-choice school and suggest that a quarter of UK parents move house in order to live in what they perceive to be the best school area.
The search for suitable schools when relocating is therefore vital to finding an appropriate home to rent or buy and settling into a new area or country.
The Premier Corporate Relocation Approach
At Corporate Relocation Services, we have an excellent working knowledge of the schooling system here in the UK and are working closely with many LEA’s (Local Education Authority) that are ultimately responsible for school placements.
Having an appreciation of all the different types and choices of schools and the areas for good schools is essential to us helping you navigate the waters of the schooling system. To help get you started, we’ve put together a short breakdown of how to be prepared and the education option available to you and your family.
Types of Schools
The UK has an extensive list of school phases. Nursery, pre-preparatory, preparatory, primary, secondary, Montessori, grammar, private – fee paying or non-fee paying, sixth form college, international schools, faith and boarding schools. When considering your child’s future education, it’s certainly worth understanding all the options available to you.
Key stages of Education
There are key stages that have been set up to administer progressive, standardised exams during a child’s education in England and Wales. Each key stage consists of a certain range of school years. The exams associated with each key stage show how a student is doing in the areas of study that have been defined as targets in the national curriculum.
Early Years Foundation Stage – ages 3-5 (Nursery and Reception)
Key Stage 1 – ages 5-7 (Years 1 and 2)
Key Stage 2 – ages 7-11 (Years 3-6)
Key Stage 3 – ages 11-14 (Years 7-9)
Key Stage 4 – ages 14-16 (Years 10-11)
Choosing a catchment school
Our corporate clients relocating to the UK often assume that they can choose a school within commuting distance of their home or workplace, and that their child should automatically be offered a place.
Unfortunately, there is no preferential treatment when it comes to school placements. In many instances, schools are already full (especially those with an “outstanding Ofsted rating”) and families will have to complete an ‘in year application form’ and be placed on a waiting list. When choosing an area or school, it’s best to contact the local LEA to find an available school.
Do your homework
The most successful school and property searches are when we work closely with our clients and are given as much notice of their intending relocation into the UK. As schooling is a legal requirement in the UK, timing plays an important role. Start and term dates could have an impact on getting a “first choice“ placement in a school and logistics will need to be considered if a placement can only be found outside their local area.
Consider the budget
A fundamental ingredient to a corporate move, that has a baring on a the geographical area of both the schooling and property availability, is an overall relocation budget. These are the 3 key elements that will determine the budget:
The cost of education for all dependents
The budget/cost of renting or buying and the on-going running and maintenance costs of renting or owning a property in the UK
Commutability costs to the workplace including parking and to schools. Public transportation - is a car required or even two vehicles?
How Corporate Relocation Services can help
Relocating to the UK and choosing the right school in the right area is often problematic and requires expert knowledge, understanding and compassion. The key question to consider is, which comes first – the school or the home?
This is why an independent relocation agent with specialist education knowledge and experience is of paramount importance to retain. Premier Corporate Relocation Services are experienced at both finding good schools and negotiating rental or owned properties for those that would like professional help, whether moving from other parts of the UK or from overseas.
For further information concerning any aspect of Corporate Relocation contact Barbara Sellers (0)+441962 793100, www.premier-propertysearch.co.uk or email enquiries@premier-propertysearch.co.uk.