International school consultants for families on the move
Do you need help choosing an international school?
Our international school consultants work with families relocating all over the world, often at short notice and moving to places they may not know well for themselves.
We provide expert, independent guidance to help parents understand their options, compare curricula, and choose schools where their children will settle quickly and thrive.
Get in touch
All our services start with a personal call or meeting. Why not give Shari, our senior administrator, or one of her experienced team a call to discuss your circumstances and explore next steps.
Expert international education consultants
Choosing the right school when moving abroad can be daunting. International school systems may feel unfamiliar with, different curricula and pathways on offer, a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning and a whole raft of new acronyms and school terms to get to grips with.
Our experienced international education consultants help families understand their options and identify the schools where their child is most likely to thrive. Whether you are comparing international schools, deciding between IB, British, American, French or other curricula, or mapping out different pathways for the future, we provide clear, impartial advice tailored to your child.
We help families see beyond the glossy websites and marketing materials to understand what schools are really like, ensuring their decisions are based on trustworthy insight, first-hand experience and our deep understanding of international education.
How we can help
- Understanding different international school systems
- Comparing curricula
- Advice on choosing an international school
- Shortlisting schools that suit your child’s profile
- Understanding SEN support in international schools
- Navigating international school admissions processes
- Moving at short notice or planning ahead
- Preparing for assessments and interviews
- Liaising with international schools on your behalf
Who are our international education consultants?
Our international school consultants are specialists in global education, with years of experience advising families moving between different countries and school systems. The majority of them are parents themselves and have lived experience of making similar moves with their own family.
Families come to us for trusted, independent guidance when navigating the complexities of international schools and global education pathways. Our consultants combine deep knowledge of different curricula, admissions processes, school leaders, culture and community, helping parents make confident decisions in unfamiliar situations.
We focus on helping families find schools where their children will thrive academically, socially and emotionally — wherever in the world they are moving.
Fully independent — no commissions from schools
Deep expertise in international schools and curricula
Advice focused on long-term outcomes, not quick placements
Discreet, family-focused consultancy
No AI-driven results, we take a human-first approach
Would you like to find out more?
Our experienced team is on hand to discuss your circumstances and to explore the next steps.
How an international school consultant can help
Working with an international education consultant gives families clarity and confidence in their decision making. Instead of navigating unfamiliar school systems alone, you benefit from our expert insight into schools, curricula and admissions. We know schools around the world better than anyone else.
We help families understand their options, avoid common mistakes, and make informed choices about their child’s education — both now and for the future.
How we support families
We tailor our support depending on where you are in the process, but typically this includes:
An initial consultation to understand your child and your family plans
Explaining different international and local education landscapes and curricula
Shortlisting appropriate international schools based on your child’s profile
Advice on admissions processes, timelines and availability
Guidance on academic transitions, admissions preparation and settling into a new environment
Ongoing support before, during and after your move
We recently worked with a family relocating from the UK to Singapore who were working to a tight time frame with no fixed address and no predetermined school type, with IB, British and American schools all on the table. We took time to understand the family, their academic aspirations and longer-term expectations as well as getting to know their children – their characters and learning profile – to consider what type of school would suit them now, while setting them up for the future. We tailor-made a shortlist of schools, providing valuable information and insight, helped arrange school visits and spent time discussing and weighing up their options with them before supporting them through the admissions process. Hearing that children are flourishing in their new schools is why I look forward to working with families.Selina Boyd, International editor
Some of our team
Selina Boyd
International editor
Selina has been with The Good Schools Guide since 2020 as international editor and is an experienced education consultant.
Camilla Tregonning
Switzerland writer & education consultant
Camilla has been with The Good Schools Guide international team since 2022, initially as a Zurich-based writer travelling around picturesque Switzerland with notebook in hand, now also as a consultant.
Louise Mamarbachi
Dubai writer & education consultant
Louise joined The Good Schools Guide in January 2022, as a writer and consultant in the UAE.
FAQs
Who are The Good Schools Guide education consultants?
Our education consultants are selected from our most experienced school reviewers. All are parents. Most have a professional background in education and/or a great range of educational experience. You can see all our consultants by clicking on this link.
What information will you need from me when I contact you?
How does the process work?
As soon as you get in touch with us, one of our experienced office team will arrange to speak to you to find out more about your circumstances. They will work to match the right consultant to you and offer you a service. All our services start with a meeting with the consultant, usually via video call, but this can be in person.
If you decide you would like to become a client of our premier service the consultant will be in touch with you within 24 hours of payment to work out a strategy with you. They will be available to you when you need them until a school place has been secured.
When is payment taken?
One of our office team will ask for payment when you have agreed a service. Payments for all our services are made in advance of the initial meeting with the consultant. Payment is usually made online but we can also take payments over the phone and we accept bank transfers.
Are education consultants available over the weekend?
Can I meet with the consultant?
Do the consultants only recommend independent schools?
We review state and independent schools and our consultants can give advice about schools in either sector. If you are only interested in state schools, we have a dedicated state school service.
Do the consultants only recommend schools that are covered in The Good Schools Guide?
No, although we do find that these are generally the ones people want. However, in some areas of the country or to meet specific requirements, we may well recommend you consider schools that are not – or not yet – in The Guide.
I want to buy/rent a house according to where good schools are - can you help?
What geographical areas do your consultants cover?
Can The Good Schools Guide use its influence to get my child a place at a school?
Does The Good Schools Guide take commission from schools it recommends?
No, and this is what makes us different from agents who have individual financial arrangements with schools. Our advice is entirely independent and based only on what you tell us you want for your children.
Does the consultant check whether my shortlisted schools actually have places available?
Yes, if you are one of our Premier clients. Find out more about this service here.
What if I am not happy with the schools my consultant recommends?
This has scarcely ever happened but, if you are not happy, please tell us. We take immense pride in delivering what our clients want and our many thousands of happy clients are testament to this. However, we are always honest with our clients. If you are fixed on only one school or a few schools which the consultant knows will not find places for you, or if the consultant is concerned about whether your child will thrive in a particular school s/he will tell you.
Can the consultant assess my child?
Assessments are available to all our clients. It is a useful diagnostic tool for you and for us to help decide which schools to suggest or whether additional support will be needed. Tell our administrator if you want to find out more.
Can I speak to someone about a particular school?
We will always try to match you with a consultant who personally knows a particular school in which you are interested. If it is a school in The Good Schools Guide this should always be possible.
Is what I tell my consultant confidential?
Do you offer group information talks to parents?
Yes, our experts regularly present to parents within workplaces, schools, social clubs and societies, PTAs, groups of local friends or even online chat groups. We are told it’s just the ticket to demystifying the confusing aspects of the UK education scene. And we just love a Q&A session. Email us to find out more.