Boarding School Admissions Worldwide | ELT Education Office
To the world's leading boarding schools.

Choosing the right school from hundreds of options, clearing entrance exams such as UKiset, ISEB and interviews, and supporting travel and enrolment — ELT, founded in London 40 years ago, accompanies your family one-on-one, from building English ability to communicating with schools.
- 40 years of British-style teaching from London
- English-ability development built in-house
- We handle application formalities & school correspondence
You're welcome to consult us even if your target school is undecided, or if you live overseas
- 1984
- Founded in London
- 40 years
- British-style teaching record
- Worldwide
- Boarding admissions coverage
Boarding schools we have supported with admissions & enrolment (selection)
Harrow School (UK) · Rugby School (UK) · Taunton School (UK) · Phillips Academy Andover (USA) · UWC South East Asia (Singapore) · Harrow International School Appi (Japan)
CHALLENGES
Are you facing these hurdles in boarding admissions?
Entry to boarding schools, whether overseas or in Japan, is different from day-school international admissions. From before school selection through to travel and enrolment, families face a series of weighty decisions.
Too many schools to choose from
In the UK alone there are hundreds of prestigious boarding schools. It's hard to compare ethos, boarding environment and outcomes, and to narrow down the one school that suits your child.
Many, complex entrance exams
UKiset, the ISEB Common Pre-Test, 11+/13+, interviews and more differ by school and entry point, making the overall picture hard to grasp.
Worried English won't be ready in time
It's difficult for families to judge whether current English will reach the level needed by the application, and what to develop and by how much.
Guardians, boarding, travel, visas
Overseas boarding involves arranging a guardian, adjusting to boarding life, travel and visas — a mountain of preparation beyond the exams themselves.
Can't communicate locally in English
Enquiries to schools, application procedures and interview scheduling all need to be handled in English.
Too costly to get wrong
Tuition and preparation costs are high. With only fragmented information, families face major, irreversible decisions.
WHY ELT
Why families choose ELT for boarding admissions
ELT is not an agency that receives referral fees from schools; we are independent, charging fees only to families. That is exactly why we can recommend the single school we believe best suits your child.
Independent, on the family's side
Because we are not funded by referral fees from schools, we have no incentive to steer you toward a particular school. Fees come from families only. We recommend schools neutrally, with your child's interests first.
40 years of experience, from London
Founded in London in 1984. We have accumulated teaching expertise rooted in British educational culture and the customs of boarding schools.
English development built in-house
British-style native teachers deliver instruction in-house, advancing academic guidance and English-ability development as one. Preparation and skill-building never come apart.
Both overseas and domestic boarding
Beyond overseas schools in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, we also cover newly established boarding schools in Japan, comparing and recommending from a wide range of options.
Bilingual support for the whole family
English for your child, Japanese for parents. ELT also steps in to handle English correspondence with schools.
ROADMAP
The full picture of boarding admissions
Boarding admissions cannot be handled with application-period preparation alone. At top schools, registration places fill up early, and the timing for action differs by entry point (11+, 13+, 16+). The earlier you start, the wider your choice of schools.
2+ years before
School research & building the English foundation
Research candidate schools by ethos, boarding environment and outcomes. In parallel, build the English foundation that entrance exams require. Top schools begin filling registration places around this time.
12–18 months before
Narrowing schools & confirming the entry point
Decide which year to enter — 11+, 13+ or 16+ — and confirm each school's application requirements and exam formats. Secure registration and interview dates.
6–12 months before
Exam prep, registration & application
Concentrated preparation for UKiset, the ISEB Common Pre-Test and school-specific exams. Progress application formalities such as forms, references and school reports.
3–6 months before
Interviews, School Visit & final adjustments
Interview preparation for student and parents, preparation for school visits, and a final check of application documents.
After applying
Comparing offers & travel preparation
Compare offers from multiple schools and decide on the destination. We support enrolment preparation, including guardian referrals and information on travel and visas.
After enrolment
In-school support
From grades and assignments to careers guidance after enrolment. With member-priced lessons and individual support, we don't let go even after admission.
* Entry points (11+, 13+, 16+) and registration deadlines vary by school. Even if your target school is undecided, we'll work out the best time to start together.
END TO END
From school selection to enrolment, all in one
We make clear how far ELT takes on each step required for boarding admissions. "On your behalf" is limited to application formalities and correspondence with schools; "referral / information" is limited to guardians, visas and travel.
School selection & candidate comparison
ELT supportsWe neutrally compare and recommend candidate schools by ethos, boarding environment and outcomes.
Entrance exam preparation
ELT supportsNative teachers prepare students for UKiset, ISEB, 11+/13+, SSAT, interviews and more, tailored to each target school.
Application drafting support & formalities
ELT handles itELT handles the preparation of forms, Personal Statements and school reports, and the application procedures themselves, on your behalf.
Correspondence & enquiries with schools
ELT handles itELT steps in to handle English enquiries to schools, interview scheduling and document exchange on your behalf.
School Visit preparation
ELT supportsWe support school-visit preparation, from arranging the visit to mock Q&A and conduct on the day.
Interview prep (student & parents)
ELT supportsWe prepare both student and parent interviews, tailored to each school's tendencies.
Comparing offers & deciding
ELT supportsWe organise multiple offers by conditions and fit, supporting your family's decision.
Guardian
Referral / informationFor the guardian required in the UK and elsewhere, we provide referrals to trusted arrangers and information (we do not act as a legal representative).
Travel & visas
Referral / informationWe provide information on the general process and required documents for travel and visas, and respond to your preparation questions (we do not file applications on your behalf).
In-school support after enrolment
ELT supportsFrom grades and assignments to careers guidance, we keep supporting after enrolment with member-priced lessons and individual support.
EDUCATION OFFICE | Core service
Education Office — full educational management
ELT's core service, where you can entrust both the decisions and the practical work of boarding admissions to a dedicated team. From school-selection advice to handling application formalities and school correspondence and in-school support — all unified. Your child's English development runs alongside, at the 20%-off member price on all lessons.
Included in the Education Office
- Continuous educational management by a dedicated team (unified from school selection to enrolment)
- Handling of application formalities such as forms and submission procedures
- Handling of school correspondence, such as enquiries and interview scheduling
- 20% off the member price on all lessons (English development runs alongside)
- Broad coverage of overseas and domestic boarding admissions
- Guardians, travel and visas: referrals to trusted arrangers and information
Not included
- Guarantees of admission to a specific school
- Recommendations or back-channel influence with schools
- Filing of visa or travel procedures on your behalf
- Acting as a legal guardian
We'll work out the best way to use it together at your free consultation.
ENGLISH | PREMIUM Academic
English ability that maps directly to exams, in lessons with careers guidance built in
One-on-one lessons (PREMIUM Academic) that combine the four English skills directly relevant to UKiset, ISEB and interviews with careers guidance. Education Office members receive a 20%-off member price.
4 lessons/month
$708
/ month
8 lessons/month
$1,208
/ month
12 lessons/month
$1,658
/ month
* Prices shown are the standard price. Education Office members receive a 20%-off member price. Full details of pricing and tiers are summarised on the admissions page.
OUR PROMISE
Our promise of neutrality
ELT is not a study-abroad agency that runs on referral fees from schools. We charge fees only to families. That is exactly why we have no incentive to steer you toward a particular school, and can recommend the single school we believe best suits your child.
- Fees come from families only. We do not rely on referral fees from schools.
- ELT has no financial interest in the schools we recommend.
- We make no exaggerated promises about results or admissions outcomes.
APPLICATION PACKS
For those applying soon — Application Packs
For families 1–3 months from applying, you can also use a one-off Application Pack that includes PREMIUM Academic lessons. It is structured to complete forms, interviews and application preparation in a short, intensive push.
* Full details of pricing and included services are summarised on the admissions page.
See Application Pack detailsTRACK RECORD
Boarding schools we have supported with admissions & enrolment (selection)
We have supported entry to and enrolment at boarding schools in the UK, USA, Singapore and Japan.
Harrow School
Rugby School
Taunton School
Phillips Academy Andover
UWC South East Asia
Harrow International School Appi
* The above is a selection. If your target school is not listed, please feel free to ask. We do not present admissions records that do not exist.
Overseas boarding schools
Countries: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
Exam format: UKiset / ISEB Common Pre-Test / 11+ / 13+ / SSAT / TOEFL / Interview
Domestic boarding schools (Japan)
Example schools: Rugby School Japan, Harrow Appi, UWC ISAK Japan, Malvern College Tokyo, etc.
Exam format: CAT4 / Interview / School-specific exams
EXAM & CURRICULUM
Pathways to exam & curriculum preparation
We also offer dedicated preparation pages tailored to your target school's exam format and the curriculum after enrolment.
We will also progressively introduce related columns, such as comparisons of boarding schools in Japan.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ELT will not act as the guardian itself, but for the guardian required in the UK and elsewhere we provide referrals to trusted arrangers and the necessary information. We can also discuss how to proceed and the likely costs. We do not take on the role of a legal representative.
For boarding, the timing for action differs by entry point (year of entry) such as 11+, 13+ and 16+, and at top schools registration places fill up early. Many families start preparing 1–2 years before entry, and once English development is factored in, the earlier you start the wider your options. Even if your target school is undecided, we'll work out the best time to start together at a free consultation.
The English required differs by target school, entry point and the exam taken (UKiset, ISEB, etc.). ELT grasps the current level through an English assessment, gauges the gap to the level needed by the application, and develops it methodically through lessons with careers guidance built in (PREMIUM Academic). We do not guarantee a particular score or admission.
The service fees you pay ELT (such as the monthly Education Office fee and lesson fees) are clear, as stated on the site. Tuition, boarding fees, guardian costs, travel costs and the like, however, vary greatly by school and situation, so we cannot promise a single total. At a free consultation we organise and explain the likely cost items.
We do not file visa applications or make travel arrangements on your behalf. We provide information on the general process, required documents and timing, and respond to your questions. Where specialist procedures are needed, we point you to the appropriate channel. What ELT "handles" is limited to application formalities such as forms and to English correspondence with schools.
Yes. Through the Education Office, ELT handles English correspondence with schools — enquiries, interview scheduling and document exchange — on your behalf. We report to parents in Japanese, so you can feel at ease even if you're unsure about communicating in English.
Yes. We cover boarding schools in Japan such as Rugby School Japan, Harrow Appi, UWC ISAK Japan and Malvern College Tokyo. We recommend the path that suits your child while comparing both overseas and domestic options.
ELT is not an agency that runs on referral fees from schools; we charge fees only to families. Because we have no financial interest in the schools we recommend, we have no incentive to steer you toward a particular school. That is exactly why we can recommend schools neutrally, based on what we believe best suits your child.
Yes, all services are provided online. We have a track record of supporting families across Asia, Europe, North America and beyond. We accommodate time-zone differences flexibly.
We do not guarantee admission to a particular school, or exam scores and results. Final selection and decisions rest with each school and exam body. ELT continuously manages your child's situation and proposes and accompanies a study and application strategy, with evidence, to maximise the possibility of admission and progression. We make no exaggerated promises of results.
FLOW
How it works
Free consultation
We listen to your child's current situation, target schools (undecided is fine) and your family's approach, then recommend the best way forward. We accommodate time-zone differences for overseas families.
English assessment + plan design ($149)
An English-ability assessment by a native teacher and the design of the best plan for boarding admissions. A special price, for free-consultation users only and first time only.
Education Office / Lessons / Application Pack
Start where it fits: Education Office if you want to entrust decisions and practical work, Lessons if you're starting from English ability, or an Application Pack if you're applying soon.
Continuing through application, entry & enrolment
From travel preparation after applying and being admitted, through grades and careers guidance during enrolment — we support you continuously by changing plans rather than cancelling.
Let's start by mapping out the path with a free consultation
Your target school can be undecided, and you may live overseas — that's fine. Tell us your child's current situation and your family's approach, and our experienced team will work out the next step with you.
No hard selling / independent, with fees from families only / no exaggerated promises of results