Working with Education Agents

Leweston School is committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF), a sector-wide initiative that promotes ethical practice, transparency, and high standards in international student recruitment. The AQF is led by the British Council, the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), BUILA, UKCISA, and Universities UK International. 

The AQF is built on four principles, which Leweston upholds in all its agents relationships:

• Empowering student choice — ensuring that every student and family has access to impartial, accurate information to make informed decisions.
• Good agent governance and professionalism — working only with agents who operate to high professional standards.
• Ethical practice, professional knowledge and competency — requiring all contracted agents to complete sector-endorsed training and adhere to the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents.
• Transparency and accountability — being open about our commercial relationships with agents and giving families clear routes to raise concerns.

Leweston School pays a commission to contracted education agents who successfully recruit pupils to the school. Commission is paid on enrolment of a pupil who has been referred by the agent, in accordance with the terms of our signed agency agreement with that agent.

The existence of a commercial relationship between Leweston School and its agents does not affect the advice or information that families receive about the school, nor the admissions process. All pupils are admitted on the same basis regardless of whether they are referred by an agent or apply directly.

Agents are required by their contracts with Leweston to act in the best interests of students at all times and to comply with the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents.

Families are very welcome to apply to Leweston School directly, without using an education agent or counsellor. Our Admissions team is happy to guide you through the process, answer questions about the school, and support your application from start to finish. 

If you are considering using an education agent to support your application to a UK school, the Boarding Schools' Association has produced a free guide to help you make an informed choice. The guide explains what to look for in an education agent, what questions to ask, and how to check that an agent is qualified and ethical. It includes links to the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents. 

Leweston School takes its responsibilities for agent oversight seriously. If a family has a concern about the conduct of an agent contracted to represent us, we want to know about it.

1. Contact us directly. Email admissions@leweston.co.uk with details of your concern. 
2. Contact the agent's certifying body. If the agent holds BSA certification, concerns can be raised with the Boarding Schools' Association at boarding.org.uk. If they hold British Council certification, contact the British Council directly.
3. Report a serious concern to UKVI. If you believe an agent has acted illegally or facilitated immigration fraud, you can report this at gov.uk/report-immigration-crime.

Concerns about the admissions process itself (rather than agent conduct) should be directed to our Admissions Registrar.

If you have any questions about our work with education agents or the Agent Quality Framework, please contact our Admissions team.

admissions@leweston.co.uk
+44 (0)1963 211015