While parents around
the world place great importance on the education of
their children, few national groups view and value education
more highly than do those of us who are Americans. From
colonial times, through the mass migration years of
the early 20th Century, to the present day, education
has always been of paramount concern to the citizens
of the United States. It has come to be viewed both
as a highly-prized right and a stepping stone to a better
and more secure life. We have invested, and continue
to invest, generously in our schools and universities,
and, as a result, have developed an educational system
that is second to none.
In today’s highly mobile world, with executives
and their families being posted to destinations across
the globe, the need to maintain a standard of American
educational excellence has become a priority, both for
families and organisations. This is true even for “premier-posting
destinations” such as the UK. Happily,
however, in the UK American families will find a wealth
of exciting, interesting and qualitybased educational
opportunities, all of which are in the American educational
sector in Britain.
Primary and secondary schools
An abundance of educational opportunities exist for
families with school-age children (pre-school –
high school), with eight leading American schools being
situated in greater London. Although different, one
to the other, each provides a well-rounded and in-depth
curricular and extra-curricular programme, helping to
ensure that the educational experience offered is a
blend of the best of US education coupled with the richness
and rewards associated with an international/overseas
learning experience.
Since 1967, the American Community School system (with
campuses in Cobham and Egham, Surrey and Hillingdon,
Middlesex) has served the needs of the expatriate community.
It offers a complete range of pre-school through high
school offerings, including, for high school students,
both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
programmes. The Hillingdon campus also serves as an
Scholastic Assesment Test (SAT) centre.
The oldest American school in the London area, the American
School in London, offers a lower, middle and high school
programme to over 1,200 students. Occupying a modern,
purpose-built complex (including gymnasium, theatre,
computer labs, art studios and library) in St John’s
Wood in north-west London (close to Regent’s Park),
ASL is well-placed to serve the educational needs of
families residing in the inner London area; it, too,
is a SAT centre.
Southbank International School was the first UK school
to offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum
to pupils of all age groups (Primary Years Programme,
Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme). The
Southbank Kensington campus (ages 4-18) is located in
Notting Hill, while the Hampstead campus (ages 3-14)
is sited in northwest London, both with easy access
to central London. For families seeking a boarding school
environment, TASIS, The American School in England offers
both boarding and day-school opportunities. Situated
on a 35-acre campus some 18 miles from central London,
the school An abundance of educational opportunities
is available for school-age children
offers early childhood, lower school, middle
school and an upper school programme for children 4-18
years of age. At the high school level Advanced Placement
courses are on offer. TASIS is also a SAT centre.
Founded by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary,
Marymount International School in Kingston-upon- Thames,
Surrey, is an independent boarding and day school for
girls aged 11-18. The International Baccalaureate Middle
Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme are available.
Marymount is a SAT centre.
Britain’s oldest full-day school for children
with specific learning difficulties (such as ADD), Centre
Academy, accepts children of average to above-average
ability (8-18) who can benefit from an individually-created
and structured curriculum. Students in the Upper School
earn credits for American high school graduation.
Finally, and outside of the greater London area, the
International School of Aberdeen (Scotland) offers a
complete pre-school through high school American curriculum.
ISA is also a SAT centre.
Universities
University education is not overlooked in the UK, and
a number of independent American universities exist
– all in the greater London area. While primarily
undergraduate orientated, a limited number of graduate
courses are also available (in business, international
relations, art history and so forth).
Situated on two sites (Richmond, Surrey and Kensington,
London), Richmond, The American International University
in London is a comprehensive American liberal arts and
professional studies university offering Bachelor’s
and Master’s. In addition to being accredited
in the United States by the Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools, Richmond is also accredited
in the UK by the Open University Validation
Service.
The British American College London, located on the
campus of Regent’s College, is a private, independent,
co-educational institution. The College provides courses
leading to a Bachelor’s degree accredited through
Webster University in St Louis, Missouri. Primary curricular
areas include International Relations, Management, International
Business and Communications.
Many international schools in the UK offer a complete
pre-school through high-school American curriculum
|
Located in a large, elegant Victorian town house, formerly
an embassy, in West Kensington, Huron University USA
in London is a small American university (approximately
320 students) offering degree programmes in Business,
Art History, Studio Arts and Communications. Through
its association with Marlboro College in Vermont, the
university’s degrees are accredited by the New
England Association of Schools and Colleges. Holding
both US and UK accreditation, American Intercontinental
University provides practical, careerfocused degree
programmes in areas such as Interior Design, Visual
Communications, Fashion Design, Media Production and
Business.
In addition to obtaining more information about these
institutions from their respective websites, a number
of other useful organisations can provide information
and assistance about US educational opportunities in
the UK:
• The Fulbright Commission,
London. The Commission functions as the educational
wing of the US Embassy
• FOCUS Information Services,
London. FOCUS serves as a resource centre for
American families. It provides information on a wide
range of services, including education
• European Council of International
Schools (ECIS), Petersfield, Hampshire. ECIS
is a not-for-profit membership organisation providing
services to international schools, educators and parents.
Whether elementary school, high school or university,
American education enjoys a prominent and extremely
well-respected position in the UK, with the various
institutions offering academic and extra curricular
programmes that integrate the best of American educational
practices and standards with the richness and diversity
of the British culture.
American families looking to relocate to the UK will
not be disappointed with the education that is on offer.
It is exciting, dynamic and, most importantly, of a
standard that we have come to expect.
Jon Tabbert of Jon Tabbert Associates, London, UK, an
affiliate of Bennett Educational Resources, Inc. Bennett
Educational Resources, Inc, based in Westchester, Pennsylvania,
US, provides school and university counselling services
to families relocating worldwide.
• FULBRIGHT COMMISSION
62 Doughty Street
London, WC1N 2JZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 6994
Website: www.fulbright.co.uk
• FOCUS INFORMATION SERVICES
13 Prince of Wales Terrace
London W8 5PG
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7937 7799
Website: www.focus-info.org
• EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
21 Lavant Street
Petersfield, Hampshire
GU32 3EL
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1730 268244
Website: www.ecis.org
• JON TABBERT ASSOCIATES
39 St James’s Street
London, SW1A 1JD
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7491 8085
Web: www.jontabbert.com
• BENNETT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
310 North High Street
West Chester, PA 19380, US
Tel: (610) 692 9096
Website: www.schoolplacement.com
|
