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Welcome to our April 2019 Newsletter!
Wishing you all a very happy Spring!
UK Education Guide’s published posts this month:
Meeting the cultural needs of international students at UK boarding schools.
Moving half away around the world to study or work at any age is a daunting experience, but for boarding school pupils leaving home for the first time, the experience must often be utterly bewildering.
Therefore, schools that go the extra mile to try to make pupils feel welcome and to help make home feel not quite so far away deserve credit.
So, what are the important cultural issues to consider? I highlight some key issues with examples provided by schools from around the UK.
View from the desk of Pat Moores, Director of UK Education Guide Ltd
Full article published in Study Travel Magazine
studytravel.network/magazine/news/2/26488
What do international parents really want from UK Boarding schools?
It is so often assumed that international parents are only focused on 1 thing when it comes to selecting a Boarding school for their child-rankings. So, if a school or college has outstanding A level results, then that school will go to the top of the list of possible schools parents and their children are considering. However, things seem to be changing…
A recent article highlighting the rise of the ‘Panda Mom’* in China seems to indicate that parents, who have themselves been subject to the ‘Tiger mom’ regime of academic focus & extra-curricular tutoring, are wanting something different for their own children.
In this article we review some of the major challenges Boarding schools face with the changing demands from parents…
Full article published in The PIE blog.thepienews.com/2019/04/what-do-international-parents-really-want-from-uk-boarding-schools/
In other news…
Australia & New Zealand leading the way in cracking down on essay mills
Contract cheating vendors could be jailed for two years under draft legislation being proposed by the Australian government. People who profit by taking exams or writing essays on behalf of university students also face fines of up to A$210,000 (£114,000).
The draft law is modelled on New Zealand’s recent move to outlaw contract cheating at universities, informed by advice from Australia’s Higher Education Standards Panel. It would give the higher education regulator, the Tertiary Education Standards and Quality Agency, powers to investigate and prosecute contract cheating services.
The draft bill was unveiled for consultation on 7 April, with interested parties given until 28 June to provide input. It is among a flurry of reports and proposals released by the government ahead of the federal election, which is expected to be announced within days.
timeshighereducation.com/news/essay-mill-operators-face-fines-imprisonment
The traditional Agent recruitment model under pressure in China.
In Autumn 2018 Sunrise surveyed more than 2,000 students to learn more about how students in tier 2 and 3 cities in China approach the college application process and find information about universities. Here are some of the most notable findings:
- 76% do not plan to work with agencies.
- 40% rely on in-school resources, presentations, and in-school counselors for study abroad information.
- 70% rely on either local internet search or social media accounts like WeChat and Weibo for important information.
Never has there been a greater need for schools and Universities to make direct contact with prospective students and their families in China...
sieconnection.com/insight/2019/3/29/what-do-2365-chinese-hs-students-and-28-counselors-say-at-local-fairs=
FutureLearn launches new, free course to support refugee & migrant children
The six-week online course will teach participants what the vulnerable group require and best practice, from how separation is prevented to when alternative care is suitable.
.The course takes into account important international standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children; and the Global Compacts on Migration and on Refugees.
“[The course] helps learners understand how to work in ways that implement the aims and aspirations of [our] commitments,” senior migration advisor at UNICEF Verena Knaus explained.
The course is available in four languages – English, French, Spanish and Arabic – and will begin May 29.
www.futurelearn.com/courses/caring-for-children-moving-alone
School News!
Ackworth School - Ackworth was awarded a ‘top ten’ spot in the independent sports schools league table (2018). New sports added recently at the school include modern Pentathlon, an Olympic sport that comprises; fencing, freestyle swimming (200m), equestrian show jumping and a final combined event of pistol shooting and cross country running (3200m). The school also announced the opening of its new Football Academy in September 2018, run by ex-premier league player, Jamie Fullarton, the team is unbeaten so far this season.
City Guide:
A Weekend in Oxford - Make the most of your 48 hours!
Sincere thanks to Oxford Summer Courses for writing our City Guide to Oxford
The founding principles for Oxford Summer Courses are pretty simple. An honest and authentic taste of Oxford education, Oxford living and Oxford culture, all served up by Oxford insiders.
We share exceptional, authentic education with the world and we believe cultural experiences and educational experiences go hand in hand.
oxfordsummercourses.com
You might think that exploring all that the historic university city of Oxford has to offer in 48 hours isn’t possible - but that’s where you would be wrong. Oxford is more than its famous colleges and cobbled streets, and we want to take you to some of our favourite places in during your weekend away.
Firstly, how to get to Oxford? The city is well connected, with plenty of regional and national bus coaches arriving into Gloucester Green Bus Station at all times of day, and carrying travellers back to London, Scotland, Manchester and Birmingham. You can also arrive by train into Oxford, or drive - although it is worth noting that if you are going to drive, we highly recommend that you park at a Park and Ride outside the city centre and then catch the bus in.
Once you have arrived in the city centre, you will want to make your way to your hotel, drop your bags and get exploring! If you’re looking for timeless grandeur and a central location close to plenty of Oxford’s famous museums, then the Macdonald Randolph Hotel is the place for you. This hotel is located on Beaumont Street, directly opposite the Ashmolean museum (which coincidentally, has a beautiful rooftop cafe), and is also a stone’s throw from the Covered Market and Gloucester Green (handy if you are arriving by bus).
If you are looking for accommodation which is still historical, but with a more contemporary feel, The Old Bank Hotel should be a perfect fit. This hotel is suited close to many of Oxford’s most famous colleges, including Merton and Christ Church, and is walking distance to the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library.
But if historical isn’t your style and you want something a bit different, then stay at the Head of the River. You can stay right on the river and enjoy amazing pub food out on the terrace as well!
Once you have settled into your room, you will be ready to head out and see some sights. We recommend you begin your Saturday with a trip to the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe with over 12 million items, including a Gutenberg Bible (ca. 1455, one of only 21 surviving copies) and Shakespeare’s First folio from 1623.
Visiting the Bodleian Library also puts you close to Broad Street and the Radcliffe Camera - which is worth a visit simply for the great photo opportunities!
Once you’ve taken in some literary history at the Bodleian, it’s time to head to the Westgate shopping centre and enjoy lunch on the roof! This new centre has brought a wealth of new shops and eateries to Oxford, and the rooftop is a perfect place to relax. Either eat outside at one of the restaurants, or grab a snack from one of the food stalls nearby and head up anyway to enjoy the views over Oxford’s skyline and famous spires. After your lunch break, head over to Jericho, which is tucked behind Gloucester Green station. This neighbourhood of Oxford is well known for its tiny cafes, book stores, and independent shops, so this is a perfect place to spend the afternoon browsing.
 
Finish the afternoon with dinner at Gee’s, a favourite of the locals. This converted greenhouse (much fancier than it sounds) boasts a fresh and inspiring menu, and instagram-friendly interior. It’s the kind of place you want to spend all evening in, watching the world go by on the Banbury Road and enjoying your meal.
After your dinner, head back into Jericho and check out a foreign or indie film at the Phoenix Picturehouse. This cinema has been in operation since 1913, and boasts big seats, a great cafe, and intimate feel - the perfect way to relax after your first day of exploring Oxford!
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