Help with school choices when moving to the UK
Do you need help finding a school when moving to the UK?
Moving to the UK often means making important decisions about schools before you have fully settled into your new life.
Many families contact us because they are trying to understand an unfamiliar education system while also ensuring that their child has the best possible start. They may be unsure how the UK school system works, confused by different school types and admissions processes, or uncertain about which schools are likely to suit their child.
Choosing a school is about much more than securing a place. Parents want to know that their child will be happy, make friends, settle into a new environment and feel confident as they adapt to life in the UK.
Our education consultants help families understand their options and identify schools where children are most likely to flourish. Drawing on decades of experience and first-hand knowledge of schools across the country, we help parents navigate the UK education system with greater clarity and confidence.
Speak to an education consultant about UK schools
If you would like expert guidance on finding the right school when moving to the UK, we are here to help.
How we support families
Every family arrives with a different educational background. Some children have been attending international schools, others have been educated within a completely different national system, while some are returning to the UK after years overseas.
Our role is to help families understand how their previous educational experience translates into the UK system and what options are available.
We tailor each service depending on which stage you are in the process, but typically we will:
Arrange an initial consultation to understand your child, your priorities and your plans
Explain how the UK school system works, including key admissions points and timelines
Help you understand the differences between state, grammar and private schools
Compile a shortlist of schools suited to your child's profile and circumstances
Advise and support with applications, assessments, interviews and deadlines
Provide insight into school culture, ethos and suitability
Liaise with schools and support you through key decisions
Advise on SEN provision where relevant
Many families continue to work with us long after they have arrived in the UK, returning for advice at key educational stages as their children grow and their needs change.
Some ways we can help
- Understanding the UK school system
- Choosing between state and private
- Identifying areas with good schools
- Choosing the best senior schools
- Applying to schools while moving
- Support for expats returning to the UK
- Choosing the right curriculum
- Liaising with UK schools on your behalf
- Supporting through admissions
- Finding schools for multiple children
- Advising on SEN provision
- Advising on educational pathways
Our heritage
For decades, families moving to the UK have turned to The Good Schools Guide to help them understand the education system and make informed school choices.
Over the years we have supported families arriving from all over the world, each bringing different educational experiences, expectations and priorities. While every move is different, parents are often asking similar questions: How does the system work? Which schools should we consider? How can we help our child settle successfully?
Our consultancy service grew from helping families answer those questions. We know the schools, understand the admissions landscape and have a deep understanding of how children adapt to new educational environments. Most importantly, we understand that finding the right school is often one of the most important parts of helping a child feel at home in the UK.
Who are our education consultants?
Our education consultants have extensive experience helping families navigate the UK school system, including those relocating from overseas and returning expats. They have interviewed many of the heads of leading schools and know how these schools operate, they have extensive experience advising families on all aspects of schools in the UK, from pre-preps and preps to private senior schools, state schools, schools with SEN provision and special schools.
Families come to us when they need clear, independent advice on school choices, admissions and educational pathways. Some are unfamiliar with the UK system entirely, while others simply want reassurance that they are making the right decisions for their child.
Our consultants provide practical guidance based on decades of experience and detailed knowledge of schools across the UK. They understand that schools which appear similar on paper can offer very different experiences for children.
We know that parents are rarely looking for the most famous or academically selective school. They are looking for a school where their child will feel happy, supported and able to thrive.
We provide:
Totally independent advice — we do not receive payment or commission from schools
Deep expertise across the UK education system
Guidance for both planned and urgent relocations
Advice focused on long-term educational outcomes and wellbeing
Discreet, family-focused consultancy
Talk to us about finding a school in the UK
We’ll guide you through the UK school system and help you make confident decisions for your move.
Families moving to the UK often come to us feeling uncertain about how the system works and what will be possible for their children. They’re trying to make decisions quickly, often from overseas, without a clear sense of how schools differ or where their child will fit. We take time to understand each child and guide families through their options, helping them make confident decisions and settle their children into schools where they will feel happy and secure.Grace Moody Stuart, Consultancy Director
Some of our team
Grace Moody-Stuart
Consultancy director
Grace is director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants and has worked for The Guide for 20 years.
Megan Johnson
Office & consultancy manager
Megan has recently joined The Good Schools Guide and is a key member of the office team.
Charlotte Phillips
SEND consultancy manager
Before joining The Good Schools Guide, specialising in SEND, Charlotte wrote about education and family life for The Telegraph, Times and Guardian and more.
Other services we offer
Boarding school consultancy
.jpg)
We have an experienced team of consultants who are ideally placed to advise families looking for a boarding school for their child
London consultancy
With our team of consultants, we are ideally placed to advise families navigating the wide range of schools in London.
Supportive schools for autism consultancy
Our experienced SEN education consultants support families looking for the right school for a child with an autism diagnosis.
FAQs
We’re moving to the UK from overseas — can you help us find a school?
Absolutely. We have more than 20 years’ of experience working with families to ensure they find the best school for their child. As The Good Schools Guide, we know and understand the schools well and can liaise with them on your behalf to facilitate the application process.
Can you help my children move into the UK school system?
We support your family through the admissions process and can offer assessments for your child to determine whether they may need additional support when adapting to the UK school system.
How difficult is it to relocate children into the UK school system?
Children from overseas are constantly finding places in UK schools. With the right professional advice and support your child will find a place in a school which suits their strengths so they can flourish.
How early should we apply to UK schools when relocating?
This will depend on your circumstances. It is always advisable to apply at a normal entry point (such as 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+ or 16+) and ideally at least a year in advance. However, this is not always possible, and we have extensive experience supporting families applying outside the usual entry points, including at short notice.
Can my child join a UK school mid-year after relocating?
Yes, although this will depend on availability. Our consultants can work with schools to identify and secure the best possible option for your child.
How do I choose the best UK school when relocating?
The breadth of choice in the UK is considerable. Our consultants take time to understand your child and your family’s priorities, using their knowledge of individual schools to help narrow down the options and make the decision clearer.
What should expat families know about UK schools?
The UK school landscape is constantly evolving. Even families familiar with the system often benefit from up-to-date advice on which schools are the right fit for their child.
Can you help us shortlist the right UK schools?
Yes. Our consultants have years of experience and draw on both their own knowledge and the wider expertise of The Good Schools Guide team to identify appropriate schools for your child.
Can you help us choose where to live in the UK based on schools?
Yes. We take the time to understand your family’s circumstances and can advise on locations that are likely to work best for both your child’s schooling and your wider practical needs.
What areas of the UK are best for relocating families?
There are excellent schools across the UK. We work with you to identify areas that suit your family, taking into account schooling, work, lifestyle and practical considerations.
How does the UK school system work for families moving to the UK?
Private schools are generally more flexible for families relocating, often allowing applications before arrival and without strict location requirements. State schools operate differently, and our consultants can advise based on your circumstances.
What is the difference between state and private schools in the UK?
State schools are government-funded and free to attend, while private (also known as independent) schools charge fees and have greater flexibility in their curriculum, resources and extracurricular provision.
Do I need a UK address before applying to schools?
For state schools, a UK address is usually required. Private schools are typically more flexible and allow applications from overseas.
How do UK school admissions work when applying from overseas?
Admissions processes vary by school, but much of the initial process can be completed online. Some schools may require assessments or interviews, which are sometimes conducted remotely.
How do catchment areas work in the UK?
Catchment areas are primarily relevant to state schools. Distance from the school is often a key admissions criterion when schools are oversubscribed.
Can foreign children attend school in the UK?
Yes. Provided your family has the appropriate visa and right to live in the UK, children are entitled to attend school.
Can returning expats apply to UK schools before moving back?
Yes, particularly for independent schools. State school applications can be more complex, and we can advise on the options available to you.
How can an education consultant help families moving to the UK?
Our consultants understand the system and know the schools. They can guide you through your options, liaise with schools on your behalf, and help manage the process — particularly valuable when navigating time differences or unfamiliar systems.
Can you help us secure a school place before relocating?
Yes. We work with families to ensure the process of finding a school runs smoothly, often helping to secure a place before your move takes place.
Can The Good Schools Guide guarantee my child a place at a UK school?
We cannot guarantee a place at any school, but we work hard to maximise your child’s chances of success at schools where they are likely to thrive. The Good Schools Guide is well known to a huge number of schools and they trust us to suggest the candidates that would suit their school.