Further News

The spring holidays of 2026 present a distinctive opportunity: while many language programmes offer only morning classes, English boarding schools combine intensive language tuition with academic specialisms in their spring courses – from artificial intelligence to leadership and natural sciences. English in the mornings, chosen subject in the afternoons. For young people aged 13 to 17 who want more than language learning alone.

Haileybury, one of our top IB schools with a state-of-the-art Science Centre – where students are currently working on a satellite and running research projects with Stanford – focuses on thematic strands: pupils combine English tuition with a specialism of their choice: Media Experts, Young Innovators or International Relations.

Mill Hill offers English programmes in the morning alongside afternoon sessions in Creative Arts combined with either Science and Mathematics or Sport. Like Haileybury, the campus is just 30 minutes from London and features an indoor pool and cutting-edge sports facilities.

Earlscliffe in Folkestone, approximately 60 minutes from London, offers "Think Global", a course combining English language tuition with political thinking, leadership and international affairs – ideal for young people interested in global politics. A particular incentive: book two weeks and pay half price for the second week.

Sevenoaks School, one of Britain's most academically distinguished schools and a pioneer of the IB programme (the school offers exclusively the IB, not A-Levels), directs its Easter IB Revision Course at Year 13 students already in the IB programme who wish to prepare intensively for their examinations. During the summer, Sevenoaks also offers outstanding language programmes combined with Critical Thinking, Social Leadership, Creativity and Digital Skills – developed by the school's own teachers.

A welcome side effect of all courses: young people experience one or two weeks of authentic boarding school life – which can help some decide whether a longer stay at an English boarding school might be suitable. Places on spring courses typically fill quickly, so we recommend booking early.

Please contact us for details on course dates and fees:

Tel. +49 89 38 40 540 or by email to our language course specialist Monika Domokos: monika.domokos@glasmacher.de

 As school nears its end, many families are starting a new kind of conversation: what happens now? University, or perhaps a break first? In our upcoming webinar, we'll be talking to two experienced experts about how families can navigate this transition together.

Our guests are Stephanie Reschke from Explorientation and Petra Ruthven-Murray from planZ Studienberatung. Both have spent years guiding young people and parents through university choices and charting individual paths after school.

In conversation with Theresa Glasmacher, they'll share advice on how families can reach good decisions together, which first steps make sense when applying to university, and why a well-planned gap year can be worthwhile – not just personally, but often academically and professionally as well.

The webinar takes place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at 6pm.

Register now

Coming up: The second part of our "After Graduation" webinar series – "Future Skills & Shaping Your Path" – takes place on 26 November 2025 at 6pm.

It's wonderful to see the journey our student Ruth has taken: She came to Oakham School through us at the start of Sixth Form – and made the most of every opportunity there.

This summer, she completed her International Baccalaureate with an outstanding 43 out of 45 points – and is now taking her next step towards studying medicine. She's using her current gap year to gain practical experience in hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Africa.

At Oakham School, Ruth experienced boarding life in all its breadth: She competed in cross country and was awarded Sports Colours, sang in the school choir, and performed in the Gala Concert. Particularly formative was a service project in Kenya, which she completed as part of the IB programme CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). There, she helped build classrooms and led activities at a local primary school – an experience that significantly strengthened her desire to study medicine.

Ruth herself describes her time in Kenya as "the highlight of my time at Oakham". During her gap year, she now hopes to work as a volunteer in a Kenyan hospital.

We're delighted about her positive development and wish her all the best for the years ahead!

Read the full story on the Oakham School website

In our upcoming webinar, we will explore what really matters in the final school year to successfully complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-Levels, and how students can make a smooth transition to a German university. Together with our two experienced guests, we will discuss how students can best prepare for their final exams and what is important to keep in mind when applying to universities in Germany.

Simone Lorenz-Weir from Oakham School teaches German and served for many years as her school’s IB Coordinator, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities of both programmes. Joining her is Nic Bamberger, founder of the tutoring platform IB Doctor, who achieved a perfect IB score of 45 points and now supports students in preparing for their final exams.

In cdiscussion with Theresa Glasmacher, they will speak about what students can still do in their final year (Year 13) to achieve the best possible results in their exams. The discussion will also cover university applications with A-Levels and the IB, as well as strategies for structured and stress-free exam preparation. Our guests will share insights into what truly matters during the final year and offer practical advice from both teacher and tutor perspectives.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Please register here for the webinar

We are delighted that Haileybury, one of our most prestigious partner schools and one of the leading IB schools in the UK, will be hosting a reception in Munich next week.

The Master of Haileybury, Mr Eugene du Toit, will be attending in person and looks forward to meeting interested families as well as reconnecting with current and former students. The evening will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Haileybury and to exchange ideas and experiences with other families.

Haileybury is known for its strong academic results and its outstanding IB Diploma Programme. Students can apply for admission for a minimum stay of one year.

If you are intersted please feel free to contact us

“I don’t know what to say, but I really want to come to your school.”

It was the most honest and direct answer he’d ever heard in an interview, said one of our heads. Authentic and direct – and that’s exactly what won the boy his place.

Insights like this were at the heart of the second part of our webinar series The Path to Boarding School – this time focusing on Preparing for School Visits & Entrance Tests. We were joined by:

• Adam Carr, Senior Deputy Head, Plymouth College
• Elaine Purves, Head, Queen Anne’s School
• Arabella Stuart, Education Consultant (formerly Director of Admissions, Sevenoaks School)

What matters in interviews?

All three agreed: it’s not about perfect answers – it’s about how a student comes across.

Questions like What are you most proud of?, Which period in history would you have liked to live in? or What would you change if you were Headmaster? are intentionally open-ended. They’re designed to spark a conversation, not to test knowledge.

What do they look for? Energy, presence – and sometimes, simply, eyes that light up.

What if a question takes you by surprise?
Saying something like “Good question – I’ve never thought about that before”, or even bouncing the question back, shows confidence, not insecurity.

Entrance tests: CAT4, subject-based – or none at all

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Not every school requires tests, and few expect intense preparation. Many schools use the CAT4 – a cognitive ability test that covers: Verbal reasoning, mathematics, non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning. Arabella Stuart noted that the test can be challenging without preparation – it helps to know the format and question types. Some schools also assess maths, English or science – in those cases, GCSE revision guides or past papers are useful. But not all schools test. Elaine Purves and Adam Carr both said that at their schools, Glasmacher candidates don’t sit entrance exams – because they trust our selection.

The bottom line: Prepare for the interview – yes. But there’s no need to over-rehearse.

Arabella Stuart put it best: “We want children who laugh, have fun, follow their hobbies and spend time with friends.” And the most important role for parents? „To support their children in their activities.“

Watch the webinar recording here.

A big thank you to our guests from the UK – Adam Carr, Elaine Purves and Arabella Stuart – for their insights and for taking on the challenge of delivering the session in German. We were truly impressed!

Coming up next: 

Our next webinar on Wednesday, 8 October: Academic Gap Year – How a Foundation Programme Opens the Door to International Study
For students who want to use the time after school purposefully – and lay the groundwork for studying in English, both in the UK and beyond.
Register here

At British boarding schools, the beginning of term is about more than returning to the classroom – it is about returning to the community. Many schools mark this moment with traditions that foster togetherness and set the tone for the year ahead. Two examples:

At Bradfield College, the handshaking ritual has been an integral part of the start of term since 1850. Back then, the Headmaster would shake the hands of eleven pupils – today it is more than 800. Over the years, this has amounted to around 115,000 handshakes. This year, once again, the whole school gathered in Bradfield’s open-air Greek theatre, affectionately known as the “Greeker”, for the opening service and the traditional handshake: 140 members of staff shook hands with 820 pupils – a powerful sign that everyone belongs.

Headmaster Jeremy Quartermain summed it up: “It is difficult to explain just how well this serves to bring us together as a community, but it is a ceremony which beautifully captures the kindness, sincerity and egalitarian nature of this very special community.”

At Merchiston School in Edinburgh, the new school year began with an inaugural address from the new Headmaster, Mr. Huw Jones. Drawing on the ideas of author Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now), he reminded pupils how quickly life passes by when our thoughts are elsewhere. His message at the start of term: be present, notice the moment – and stay curious about what lies ahead.

Mr. Jones’s full speech can be heard here in the video (from minute 27:09).

In the first webinar of our autumn series “My Time Abroad – The Path to Boarding School” on 3 September, four of our former students spoke about their move to a British boarding school – what surprised them, which experiences shaped them most, and what everyday life in the UK is really like.

A few highlights from the discussion:

• Activities & Sport – "Say yes to everything!" was the motto. From deepening football skills, trying out new sports like netball or fencing, to joining in house competitions (almost like in Harry Potter) – everyone explored something they had never done in Germany. A real highlight: the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with community service, a trial expedition, and the actual one week adventure treck – all the way to an invitation to Buckingham Palace.
  
  
• Academic Support – All were surprised by the level of individual academic support. Extra help sessions, tutoring during breaks, or simply asking teachers in the boarding house in the evening made the transition so much easier. “The teachers were more like mentors than teachers,” one alumnus summed it up. “It felt like they genuinely enjoyed seeing you grow and learn.”
  
  
• Returning to Germany – Reintegrating was smooth for everyone, whether after a term or a year. Those who wanted to could pick up their classes seamlessly.
  
  
• Structure & Daily Life – The clear daily routine and packed schedule were very well received. There was always something happening, and students quickly learned how to organise themselves and set priorities – skills that proved valuable even after returning to Germany.
  
  
• Looking Ahead – In Sixth Form, preparation for life after school was excellent: weekly guest speakers on university applications and gap year opportunities, along with individual guidance for future plans.

A big thank-you to our webinar guests –

Hanna (1 term – Stamford School)
Hendrik (2 years – Gresham’s School)
Konrad (1 year – Barnard Castle School)
Laura (1 term – Denstone College)

for sharing their experiences and stories with such enthusiasm! The strong participation and many questions from the audience showed how valuable this format is for families considering the step to the UK.

Watch the Webinar:

The recording is available here

Save the date:

On 24 September, our next session will focus on preparing for school visits & entrance tests.

Sign up here: The Path to Boarding School – Part 2: Preparing for School Visits & Entrance Tests

In this opening session, four of our alumni will share first-hand how they experienced the step to a British boarding school – what surprised them, which moments shaped them most, and what everyday life in the UK is really like.

We will also show how we guide families in choosing the right school – from deadlines to scheduling – and discuss what makes British boarding schools unique, and where they can be an exciting alternative to schools in Germany.

Click here to register

The following sessions will focus on other key topics:

We will talk about preparing for school visits and entrance tests, explore the Foundation Year as a bridge between school and university, share tips for applying to universities with IB and A-Levels, and look at life after graduation – from Gap Year opportunities to future skills and personal development.

Follow this link to see all topics covered and webinar dates

Britain’s private schools are often solely associated with elite education – yet how they see their role in society goes far beyond that, and they consciously embrace responsibility for the wider community. As charitable organisations, private schools in England are required to be socially engaged beyond the boundaries of their campuses. Many boarding schools therefore work closely with state schools in their regions, open up sports facilities and theatres to the public, or offer scholarship programmes that give talented young people access to high-quality education regardless of their background. Social engagement is an integral part of everyday school life.

One example is the “Make A Difference” programme at Uppingham School, where sixth-form students regularly volunteer in hospitals, care homes, and local organisations – voluntary work is firmly embedded in daily life here, as it is at most private schools in England. At Brighton College, students contribute over 300 days of community service each year, for example by visiting retirement homes or running tech workshops for older people. Guided by its ethos “Compass for Life”, Ampleforth College near York promotes a values-based education that deliberately fosters social responsibility and compassion.

Almost all boarding schools are actively involved in their communities – far beyond the classroom. They see themselves as integral parts of a diverse educational landscape – so that young people leave not only with knowledge, but also with character and integrity.