Study at State High Schools in England
Study at a state high school in England, whilst living in
the local community with a friendly host family. Each year we
provide a very personal service to a small number
of students looking to study at a state high school in
England. Over the years students have acheived great success during
their study period at state high schools in England, which is
of great benefit to them, the school and the local English
students.
We offer an excellent opportunity to improve a student's English
in a normal school environment, studying subjects and enjoying
extra-curricular activities with their new English friends.
Important Points
- Flexible study periods for 16+ year olds
- A choice of schools available for all abilities
- One academic year from £10,400 (see Fees tab below)
- Secure a school place prior to financial commitment
- Host family relationship prior to study period
- No closing date for applications
- Apply through Barnes for a truly English experience away from
large numbers of international students.
Exceptional Host Families and Guardianship in England
Our family organisation understanding
In 1975 with their own large family, Peter and Gaynor Barnes set
up Barnes Educational Services. They understood the importance of
providing a safe and caring environment to allow students to thrive
whilst studying abroad at a state high school in England. The
reputation for providing excellent host families in England to care
for their students was soon recognised by The British Council.
By limiting the total number of students each year, you build up
a close relationship with our small family team from your initial
enquiry. Whatever time of day or night it is we can always react
quickly since we are in the same country as your child with
personal knowledge of their area and everybody involved with caring
for them. We understand how important it is for students and their
parents to have somebody available that truly cares about them.

Host families
We often hear parents say that they worry about the idea of
their son/daughter staying with a host family in England whom they
do not know. This is often the case where perhaps they have met a
youngster who has told some "horror" story about his/her
experience, perhaps when they attended a short summer language
course and stayed with a local host family. Unfortunately there are
some organisations that do not take great care when selecting
families, but we will only use families that measure up to the high
standards we have followed since 1975. To maintain these high
standards we keep in regular contact with our families throughout
the year.
When choosing families the overriding decision is always based
on the family's desire to share their life and experiences with
students giving them a real insight into the British culture. All
our host families are different, as are our students, but we work
hard to place like- minded host families and students together in
each area to promote happy relationships forming. Moreover, most of
our families host students for a number of years, since they enjoy
the experience as much as our students enjoy it.
Our host families recognise that students will need a balance
between family activities and private time. Each student will
always be provided with their own comfortable bedroom with storage
for their belongings so they always have somewhere to relax on
their own. Our host families will always encourage a student to
give appropriate time to their private studies and will provide a
study area away from distractions.
We pride ourselves on the quality of host families we can
provide since we know that they contribute greatly towards the
success of the arrangement.
A small number of students in each area
We limit the number of students attending each state high
school; we place up to around six international students in each
school. This maximises our students' opportunity to improve their
English by building friendships with mainly English students,
giving them the best opportunity to really learn what it is like to
live as an English teenager.
With only a small number of students in each area we can be very
selective when choosing host families to care for our students. We
carefully choose a local representative that we completely trust to
assist the small number of host families living only a few minutes
from them and a small network of support is developed centred
around our local representative.
Guardianship in England
A worry that many parents have is what happens to their child if
there is a problem involving perhaps the host family or the state
high school in England. Our guardianship service is such that we
take over the responsibility of caring for the welfare of your son
or daughter. If they have a problem they may contact us or our
local representative at any time when we will be pleased to help.
Moreover, the schools and host families know that they are free to
contact us if they are aware of any difficulties.
It is interesting to point out that most state high schools in
the UK will not accept an overseas student unless he/she has an
appointed guardian or the benefit of a guardianship service in
England such as we provide. State high schools are not geared up to
care for students outside of school. Our host families are there to
support and guide your child in any situation, whether they
are adjusting to living away from home, struggling with their
homework or wanting to increase their social group by joining a
club in their spare time. In extreme situations it is possible that
a student needs to be moved to an alternative family quickly and so
our guardianship service provides for a solution to resolve this
need, whether this is due to an illness, an emergency or in a very
small number of cases over the years where we have all decided it
is better to move a student to a different family. The full
guardianship agreement we offer is essential for the welfare of
students studying away from their parents.
Preparation
Once a school place has been secured we make all the
arrangements in the UK on your behalf. Each child is
individually prepared for their study period. We assist families
who would like to visit the state high schools in England and the
local area before the study period begins (not necessarily
essential). After introducing you to your host family we encourage
you to build up a relationship with them to help you settle into
your study period quickly.
Shortly into your stay, your local representative will arrange a
gathering giving you a chance to meet the small number of other
Barnes students in the local area.
Legal compliance
In addition to our extremely high standards and vast experience
in selecting suitable host families we follow the latest legal
guidance in the UK and we pay to check the background of all adult
members of our host families by seeking information from a British
Government department known as the Disclosure and Barring
Service.
Attend an excellent State High School in England
Choice is important
We believe in each student attending the right
state high school in England for them. This greatly assists in
their happiness during their period of study. We consider all the
information collated about you and recommend two or three* state
high schools which are best suited to your needs. We provide
unlimited consultancy and advice and do not ask for any financial
commitment until an offer has been made by a school. Not
all state high schools in England are happy to accept international
students.
We have been working with state high schools since 1975 who
recognise the presence of a small number of our international
students has a beneficial effect on their English students and are
happy to invest time integrating them into their school. We avoid
schools and Further Education (FE) Colleges who accept large
numbers of international students.

A small selection of our schools
Here follows a small selection of the types of state high
schools in England that we could recommend to you after considering
your application in detail.
* very occasionally the combination of the
student's age, requested study period, specialist subjects and
other criteria might mean that there is only one state
high school that can meet all the needs of a student.
A leading Grammar School in the South East of England
This state high school is one of the nation's leading
selective grammar schools in England, with high academic standards
only one hour from London. Each year it admits into its sixth form
suitably qualified and able students, including a small number from
overseas. Overseas students are admitted on to A-level courses for
the full two years or for one year, depending on their
needs.
The grammar school occupies a pleasant campus near the
centre of Britain's oldest recorded town. The school itself has a
long history and has received royal charters from Henry VIII and
Elizabeth I. Sport, music and drama are strong and complement the
emphasis placed on academic achievement. The grammar school
provides its students with a happy and well-ordered learning
environment.
A specialist foreign language school offering the IB
Set on the edge of the delightful countryside of the Cotswolds,
an area the rich and famous often choose for their country homes,
including Madonna, this state high school specialises in foreign
languages and mathematics. It is also committed to excellence
in sport with the Sports Academy seeking to combine long standing
academic excellence with renowned sporting success. This
state high school offers both the UK's traditional A-levels in
the 6th Form, along with the International Baccalaureate
Diploma.
An 'Outstanding' school in the south east of England offering the IB
Based on a beautiful site near the centre of a historic town one
hour from London, students appreciate the idyllic surroundings,
with its lake, ancient trees, gardens and playing fields. This
state high school has been awarded Language College status and the
UK School's Inspection Team has awarded the school Grade 1 -
'Outstanding'.
Students benefit from the school's wide range of enrichment
activities both on the school site and along the coastline close to
the school.
A large and successful comprehensive school in the south west of England
This school is one of the largest state high schools in
England with an outstanding record of academic excellence. The
school has strong links to Japan, Spain, France, Germany and Italy
where visits are regularly organised. The school has received
many awards for excellence over the years including the European
Curriculum Award and The Times' Educational Supplement Schools of
the Year Award. A comprehensive range of activities, include two
orchestras, choirs, theatre groups, dance groups, film club,
language clubs and a diverse range of leisure activities using the
fabulous sports facilities and the local countryside, since this
state high school is situated in one of the most beautiful
parts of England.
A specialist technology school in the West Country
Based in the beautiful county of Somerset, only a short drive
from the World Heritage city of Bath, this Specialist Technical
High School provides students with excellent IT facilities and
opportunities in Science, Mathematics and Design Technology, whilst
also being strong in languages.
The UK School's Ofsted inspection team have awarded this school
'Outstanding'. The school has also been awarded Sportsmark Gold
award, for providing the very best physical education and sports
provision for their students, The Arts Council of England Artsmark
Award for their art, dance, drama and music provision, The National
Healthy School Standard and the DfES School Achievement Award to
celebrate their high achievements overall. This high school
achieves excellent exam results and a high proportion of their
students go on to University, including Oxford and Cambridge.
A school with expertise in performing arts and engineering in the north east of England
Situated in the North East of England close to beautiful parks,
countryside and miles of beach this state high school has been
awarded specialist recognition for many years. The school is an
Artsmark Award holder for its Performing Arts. They are a Centre of
Excellence for ASDAN (Awards Scheme Development and Accreditation
Network), a pioneering curriculum development organisation and
internationally recognised awarding body, offering programmes and
qualifications that explicitly grow skills for learning, skills for
employment and skills for life. This state high school has
been recognised for expertise in Engineering.
Like all schools we select, it is a very caring school aiming to
provide a secure, safe and happy environment, where young people
will thrive academically.
Study abroad in England at a State High School
Studying abroad in England while living with a carefully
selected host family has significant benefits for any student -
improving a foreign language, living within a different culture,
learning a different approach to studying, becoming independent,
building lifelong relationships, and building confidence. Many
students decide that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and
take time out of their school back home to spend a High School
year in England. Other students wish to study abroad for a shorter
period and return home to their same year group.
If you can't find a study period to suit you please contact us
to see if we can work out a way for you to study abroad. We also
design special study packages to suit non EU students.
State high school fees (for students from EU
countries)
School Year: September 2021 until June/July 2022
- Pupils aged 16+ accepted
- A-Levels and International Baccalaureate
- Living with a host family
- Guardianship Inclusive!
- Our most popular and cost-effective option (from GBP 10,400*
per study year)
- No application fee payable
Length of stay / Total fee
One study year (3 terms) |
September - June / July |
From £10400* |
Two terms |
September - Easter |
From £7740 |
|
January - July |
|
1 1/2 terms |
September - mid-February |
From £7230 |
|
Mid-February - July |
|
1 term |
September - December |
From £6550 |
|
January - Easter |
|
Summer term |
Easter - July |
£6250 |
For schools offering the International Baccalaureate the study
year will cost from GBP 12,885*. "From" means, depending on the
location of the chosen school, the chosen courses and the duration
of the course. In any case, we will endeavour to offer a selection
of suitable schools at the most acceptable price possible.
* - this price is only available when the full study year is
committed to before the start of the course.
Junior and senior taster programme
A taster session at a state high school with all the benefits of
our State High School Programme living with a host family
(including full guardianship) for ages up to 18 year olds. Four
weeks for GBP 2,860 then GBP 970 for each additional 2 weeks.
The price includes:
- unlimited guidance in selecting a suitable school.
- room and board (during the week - breakfast and evening meal,
on weekends and during half-term holidays - full board) with a host
family for the entire stay. The schools offer lunch in the canteen
at about GBP 3.50. No accommodation is provided during Christmas
and Easter holidays, when most students return home.Students will
always be provided with their own bedroom.
- a local representative briefing with the small number of other
local international students.
- professional advice at the start of school to ensure the
appropriate selection of course subjects will help further the
student's career goals.
- exam preparation for GCSE and A-levels when the length of the
chosen subject makes this possible. At some schools, the
International Baccalaureate is offered.
- "Guardianship" the BARNES family is ultimately responsible for
each student's welfare during their stay - providing a permanent
link between the student, the school, the host family, the local
representative and the student's parents. The student's happiness
is constantly under review and any problems that may arise are
resolved very quickly.
- arrangement of a visit to the school (if required) before your
stay
- travel advice and airport meeting arrangement service - if you
decide to travel alone to England we can make the arrangement for
you to be met at the airport and be transported to your host
family.
- insurance advice for your stay
The following costs are not included:
Round-trip flights, airport transfers to host family (an airport
meeting service and transfer to the host family can be arranged),
pocket money, any use of transport to school in England, insurance
(trip cancellation, health and property insurance are fully
recommended - advice can be given).
Fees for non-EU resident and non-EU students
For EU not resident in the EU the fee is £11,500 FOR ONE
YEAR.
The total fee for Non-EU students (students that require a study
visa to enter the UK to follow a study course) is usually from
£16,500 FOR ONE YEAR (from September until mid-June or July). This
fee includes the fee payable to the school which varies according
to the school eventually chosen. It is sometimes possible for
a non EU student to be accepted for less than a full year. Students
normally have to be at least 16 years old by 1st September at the
start of the course.
A £300 placement fee is payable for most
upon securing a suitable place.
Follow this link for what Barnes believes to be the best UK college for non-EU students - York
College.
The price for the Junior and Senior School Taster Programme is
GBP 3,450 for 4 weeks, then GBP 1,025 for each
additional 2 weeks.
The same items are included and excluded where relevant as
listed above for the EU State Day School Programmes.
BARNES can also devise other programmes for Non EU students
which are individually priced. A popular programme used by some
students starts in either January, February or March and finishes
before Christmas.
Visa
From 1st January 2021 all students that do not have the right to
abode in the UK will need to follow the new UKVI rules for entering
the UK to study - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
Barnes is used to supporting students that need a visa to study in
the UK.
Visas are not always necessary where a student studies in the UK
for less than 6 months. Where a visa is necessary the time taken to
apply for this needs to be taken into account when considering
start dates. Also, evidence of an IELTS English test
will need to be provided. IELTS tests need to be booked in an
official test centre to be valid (for guidance see https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/ielts-ukvi/book-ielts-ukvi
).
Applications
Early registration is an advantage, usually between 4 and 12
months before the start of the study period. However, we have no
application deadlines. For applications received less than 4 study
weeks (excluding school holidays) before the study period
starts we charge an additional fee of GBP 200.