International Families

Relocating to London is a big move. At Hurlingham, you will find a warm, international community and a team that helps families join from anywhere in the world. We are an independent, co-educational prep school in Putney for children aged 2 to 11. Almost half of our families speak a language other than English at home.

A truly international community

Our families come from all over the world, and that mix is part of what makes Hurlingham special. Children learn alongside classmates from many cultures, faiths and backgrounds. They grow up curious about the world and respectful of each other.

We celebrate the cultures and faiths within our community through whole-school events and assemblies and classroom learning. Every child learns about, and is considerate of, the beliefs of others.

Support with English

Many of our pupils speak more than one language, and we see that as a real strength. If English is not your child's first language, we will help them settle in and build confidence quickly.

47% of our families speak a language other than English at home.

[22] languages are spoken across our school community.

• Before your child starts, you will share details of your family and languages spoekn at home and your child's other spoken lanuages, including at school; so that we can plan the right support.
• When they arrive, support is given within lessons or in small groups, depending on what your child needs.
• Throughout, their Form Teacher monitors their progress closely, and our Head of Learning Support oversees all language support. We work closely with home, so that home and school work together.
  Read our English as an Additional Language Policy.

Joining Hurlingham from abroad

Most children join us in Reception in September, however, we also welcome children into other year groups during the school year when places are available. These are called Occasional Places.

You do not need to be in the UK to start the process.

• Get in touch - Contact our Admissions team to check for places in your child's year group.
• Meet us - Book a videocall with our Head, Simon Gould, or a private tour if you are already in London.
• Register - Complete a Registration Form and pay the £100 registration fee. We will ask for your child's latest school report at this stage.
• Taster visit or video call - Children in the UK spend a taster day with their future classmates. If you are overseas, your child will have a video call with our Head of Pre-Prep or Head of Upper School, instead. We will arrange an in-person visit once you arrive.
• Offer - We make an offer of a place after the taster day or video call, subject to reports and references.
• Acceptance - Both parents, or everyone with parental responsibility, sign the online acceptance and pay the non-refundable acceptance fee.
• Visa (if needed) - If your child needs a Child Student visa, we can apply for their CAS once the place is accepted. See below.

If there is no place in your child's year group, we will add them to our waiting list and let you know as soon as one becomes available.

Which year group will my child join?

In England, children are placed in a year group based on their date of birth, with the academic year from 1 September to 31 August. This may differ from the education system your child is in now. Use the table below as a guide, and talk to us if you are unsure.

At age 11, our pupils move on to senior schools in London and beyond. Read about the 11+ and our leavers' destinations.

Visas

Many relocating families come to the UK on a parent's work visa, with their children as dependents. If that applies to you, your child will usually not need a separate visa to attend Hurlingham.
Some children need a Child Student visa to study in the UK. Hurlingham is a licensed Child Student sponsor, so we can support your application.

• The Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 at an independent school.
• Your child needs an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor, which we provide once you accept a place.
• We then issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you need for the visa application.
• If your child is aged 4 to 11, one parent may be able to join them on a Parent of a Child Student visa.

We will ask for some information to issue the CAS. We are legally required to report any false or misleading information to UK Visas and Immigration.
We cannot give immigration advice. Please check the latest rules on GOV.UK or speak to a qualified immigration adviser before you apply.

Settling into London life

We know a big move involves much more than choosing a school. These pages will help you plan:

• Fees: termly fees and what is included
• Term Dates: plan your arrival around our school year
• Shuttle Bus Service: routes, stops and timings
• Extended Care: morning supervision and our after-school Tea Club
• Holiday Clubs: care during the school holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can my child start part way through the school year? Yes, if there is a place in their year group. We welcome children throughout the year as Occasional Places.
• Can we apply before we move to London? Yes. You can complete the whole process remotely, including a video call with our Head and a video call for your child.
• Is there an entrance test? There is no assessment for Reception. For other year groups, we arrange a taster day or video call and ask for a report from your child's current school.
• When can we visit in person? Once you are in London, we will arrange a visit so your child can meet their classmates before they start.
• Who should I contact? Our Head of Admissions, Wendy Ratcliff, is happy to help with any questions.
   

Talk to our Admissions team

Wherever you are in the world, we would love to hear from you. Book a video call to find out more about Hurlingham and how we can help your family settle in.

Wendy Ratcliff | Head of Admissions | admissions@hurlinghamschool.co.uk | 020 8874 8943