Joining from Overseas

The first step in the process for any admission is to complete and return the registration form, along with a registration fee of £100 which is non-refundable. Applications for future years are encouraged; they will be acknowledged and you will continue to receive updates and news from the school. At this stage we will also request a copy of the pupil's most recent school report and passport. 

It is important for us to understand every pupil's English level in order to be able to support them. Pupils can either provide a copy of a UKISET test or complete our own English and Maths test which can be sent to them.

For entry into Sixth Form, students would normally be expected to offer one of the following qualifications at pass level or above – GSCE English, IGCSE English as a second language, IELTS band 5.5 or any other equivalent EAL qualification. For pupils looking to enter lower down the school we are looking for evidence that they have the potential to achieve Grade 5 or above at English GCSE (or equivalent). This is evaluated by our admissions testing.

All pupils are invited to a zoom meeting with our Director of International Students, Mrs Quick, or the Deputy Head Academic, Mr Whittle, for those whom English is their first language. This is an opportunity for pupils to introduce themselves and to start talking about the academic programme that they want to study when they join us.

If your child has a UK passport they will not require a visa to study in the UK. All other students joining for more than six months will need to a visa to enter the country and study here. Leweston is a registered Student and Child Student Sponsor, licenced by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to issue Student and Child Student visas.

Once an international student accepts their offer we will apply for a reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies or CAS. The CAS number is required for the pupil’s visa application. As soon as the CAS number is received it is shared with you or your agent to enable you to make an application for the visa. You must ensure that your child has a valid visa before they start at Leweston and that their passport is valid for the duration of their studies at the school. 

For more information and advice about visa applications download our guide:

If you and the school are happy to progress we will offer a place. This may happen before the assessment is complete and be subject to the results of testing. We will email you with our Parent Contract and Acceptance Form. Offers may be open for a limited time only. You will be asked to secure your place by completing the Acceptance Form and paying a deposit (which is returned against your final school bill). 

Joining information will then be shared with you well ahead of your child’s start date and the admissions team will keep in regular contact in the run up to start. For pupils joining in September there is a special day at the start of the academic year where new boarders are invited to arrive early to settle into their Houses.