How To Apply

We follow a simple process to ensure an admission into Pocklington School is a straightforward and friendly experience.

How to apply

International students are required to have a reasonable competence in spoken and written English and the ability to progress academically, along with the support of the EAL Department and their teachers.

International students applying to Pocklington School will need to provide the following:

  • A completed registration form. This will be issued to the person making the initial enquiry
  • Copies of their last two school reports
  • A piece of handwritten English, telling us about themselves, their school, families and interests
  • A copy of their current passport or ID card
  • £100 non-refundable registration fee.

Our Headmaster is delighted to interview all prospective students. During the interview, students will be asked  about their current school, their hobbies, family and ambition to study in the UK.  An interview can be arranged online via Microsoft Teams.

Finally, all students will be asked to take online assessments in English and mathematics, via the Password platform. Assessment grades are necessary in order to place pupils in the correct class/set.

Child student visa process

Students intending to join for under six months

For those short-term students staying with us for under six months no visa is necessary.

Students intending to join for over six months

We do not assign a law firm to oversee the visa process, this is done by the family themselves or by the educational agent they have recruited.

The request for CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Study) information will be sent out up to five months prior to a student’s course starting.  Once all requested information is received a CAS will be issued.  A CAS is a document confirming that the offer of a place has been accepted by a student and that the School is willing to sponsor the student for a child student visa.

A CAS is valid for six months.  A student can apply for their visa up to six months before the start of their course.

The CAS will be sent to the student in the form of a pdf.  Once this is received the student can visit www.gov.uk via this link to apply for their visa.

  • A student will need to apply for their visa and have the visa granted before arriving in the UK.
  • A valid passport or other valid travel document is needed.

Most students will be able to complete their application, including identity verification, using a smartphone app.  If unable to access the smartphone app or the student doesn’t possess a biometric passport, they may need to visit a visa application centre in their home country.

  • A student will need to pay for the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).  This gives access to the National Health Service (NHS).
  • If a visa application is successful a student will be given one of the following:
    • A vignette in their passport - this is valid until they obtain their BRP (Biometric Residents Permit) which is usually sent directly to the School.
    • A digital visa - If given a digital visa, there is the option to obtain a sharing code, this allows the School to view the student’s visa and immigration status
International student in Fenwick Smith boarding house
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Securing ETA is not the same as getting a visa. ETA is simply a digital travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers visiting the United Kingdom. It only gives permission for a person to board a plane for travel to the United Kingdom. It is comparable to the ESTA in the United States and is designed to strengthen the control and compliance of UK borders.

International boarders playing cards
boarders' travel

Leeds airport is a one-hour drive and Manchester Airport is less than a two-hours drive from Pocklington School.

A boarders’ travel form is issued before the start and end of each term requesting a student’s travel arrangements. This information should be returned to Boarders' Travel, upon receipt of which a taxi or minibus will be arranged to drop off/pick up from the requested location.

Map of the UK marked with nearest airport destinations
GUARDIANSHIPS

Guardianships

It is a legal requirement that all students boarding with us have an educational Guardian if their parents do not live in the UK.  The Guardian will act as the parents' representative whilst the student is studying with us.  A Guardian needs to be over the age of 25 and a responsible adult living in the UK who can be there in an emergency on behalf of the student's parents. This could be a friend or family member who is resident in the UK, or a Guardian agency (see below).

AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) can assist in choosing a guardian for a student. AEGIS provides accreditation for reputable guardianship organisations.

Pocklington boarding students with boarding staff
FEES

Our Fees

Pocklington students sitting on bench near  cricket pavilion