Considering Boarding Options in the UK?

The Headmaster and a former pupil, Ethan – a DB resident – discuss the benefits of boarding at Forres Sandle Manor.

Located in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in the heart of the New Forest, Forres Sandle Manor (FSM) and its surrounding 35 acres provide girls and boys aged two to 13 (16, starting 2024) with a quintessential British education in a multicultural setting.

“Despite all the global changes in the past few years, the demand from families living overseas to send their children to live and study in UK independent schools has remained as strong as ever,” Headmaster Mark Howe opens. “Year on year at FSM, we are seeing an increase in the number of such applications.”

One such student is Ethan, a DB resident, who boarded at FSM from September 2021 to July 2022. “I chose FSM and schooling in England because I got to learn many languages, like French and Spanish,” Ethan says. “I loved the lessons on offer, including subjects I didn’t have in Hong Kong such as History, Latin, Geography and Design Technology.” Academic excellence is paramount at FSM, with families attracted by the outstanding teachers, broad curriculum and small classes – the current average is 12. “Small classes ensure every teacher is able to have one-to-one conversations with every pupil in each lesson, thereby maximising their progress,” Mark explains. “For those for whom English is not their first language, we create a personalised curriculum, which can include one-toone or small group English tuition where needed.”

FSM also prides itself on providing a tremendous range of extra-curricular opportunities for pupils including music, drama, art and sport. Ethan’s favourite ‘after-school’ classes were archery, table tennis, swimming and cookery. Ethan is eager to reassure prospective boarders that they will quickly feel at home at FSM. “I didn’t feel homesick as I was kept busy with lessons, homework, sports matches and the activities. I didn’t feel any cultural differences because I was included from day one. I was also assigned a buddy to take me around and make sure I didn’t get lost.”

In welcoming children from overseas, Mark makes it a priority that they feel safe, happy and well looked after. “We have seven staff who live in our boarding house to make sure that all our boarders (some of whom are as young as eight years old) are well cared for at all times. “While being a secure site, deep in the New Forest, our campus is well connected to all areas of Southern England and several major airports,” Mark adds. “FSM is under two hours from Heathrow where we can organise the collection and drop off of pupils using our security checked drivers.” “There may be 6,000 miles between Hong Kong and FSM but as a parent, you will feel so close. If you are looking for a place where happy, confident children succeed, we may be the school for you,” concludes Kate Chantry, FSM’s DB-based APAC Admissions Manager, adding that most FSM pupils transition to leading UK schools like Canford, Bryanston and Millfield. Ethan now attends prestigious Warminster School in Wiltshire, which was founded in 1707.

For more on Forres Sandle Manor, visit www.fsmschool.com or email the school’s APAC Admissions Manager Kate Chantry at [email protected].