Further News

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.

For many young people, the summer holidays are a time to switch off – but also to discover new things. Anyone looking to gain practical insights into technology, science or digitalisation in the coming weeks will find an exciting offer in Bavaria: free MINT holiday camps for school pupils aged between 12 and 18.

The DigiCamp is particularly varied: In small teams, participants independently develop a digital project, such as an app, a game or a website. At the same time, they learn about apprenticeships and degree programmes in the IT and communications industry.

The FutureTechMakers Camp also offers exciting insights into topics such as the development of microchips, the manufacture of tiny components in clean rooms and the use of semiconductors in artificial intelligence and mobility.

Other topics include: first experiences with milling and soldering in the Girls in Technology Camp, nature-inspired problem solving in the Bionics Camp, and environmental technology and sustainability in the Technology Meets Environment Camp.

An overview of all offers can be found here: www.tezba.de/campinfos

We warmly welcome and support the new bilateral cooperation between Germany and the United Kingdom, as agreed under the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed on July 17, 2025. This marks a hopeful signal for a new chapter in German-British friendship! We are particularly pleased with the increased focus on education among the agreed measures, as well as the establishment of a Joint Expert Group tasked with developing solutions to enhance mobility in the fields of education and research. Furthermore, closer collaboration has been agreed to launch programmes for disadvantaged groups, new exchange initiatives, and the establishment of a UK-German Cultural & Education Commission.

More information

Many families are now beginning to plan their UK boarding experience for entry in 2026. Once the school decision is made, the next step is often an entrance test. For students who are unable or prefer not to sit this test at their current school, we now offer a simple and practical solution: thanks to our new partnership with Berlitz, Glasmacher families can take the test under supervision at one of approximately 50 Berlitz language centres across Germany – with flexible scheduling, on-site invigilation and secure digital upload of all documents. Appointments can be arranged directly via testing@berlitz.de. Please mention “Glasmacher” when contacting Berlitz – our families receive a small discount.

Berlitz also offers a variety of course formats in its core area of English language training, with a focus on spoken fluency – especially helpful for students heading off to the UK this September who want to make the most of the remaining summer weeks to prepare and build confidence in spoken English. Options include one-to-one lessons or small-group courses, available online or in person. For course details, families can reach out directly to kids@berlitz.de, again using the reference “Glasmacher”.

This weekend, under sunny skies and with around one hundred guests in attendance, we hosted our very first Career Day – and were thrilled by the inspiring conversations with so many engaged families.

What comes after school?
To help answer this question, our key partners in academic counselling, personal development and Gap Year planning joined us in Munich. Through individual conversations and hands-on advice, they offered valuable guidance and shared practical next steps. In three themed panels, they outlined ways young people can navigate their path with clarity, confidence and a sense of purpose.

Panel 1 – Study & Career Choices in the Age of AI
Struss & Claussen and mjndset explored how AI is reshaping the skillsets required for university and work. Future-oriented competencies such as creative problem-solving, resilience and emotional intelligence are becoming increasingly essential. Citing current programme offerings– for example at TU Munich – they showed how universities are already responding and integrating new formats to support skill development.

Panel 2 – A Gap Year as a Catalyst for Personal Growth
St. Clare’s Oxford demonstrated how young people can gain direction and confidence through academic Gap Year programmes combined with expert career guidance.
Explorientation highlighted how a clearly defined personal goal can form the foundation for a fully tailored Gap Year – as an individual learning journey with academic, hands-on and personal elements.
wayers showcased how international experiences – from wildlife conservation in Asia to work and travel in Australia – can strengthen adaptability and broaden perspectives in lasting ways.

Panel 3 – Studying Abroad: A Compact Overview
The University Guys spoke about the importance of finding a university that fits not only your academic interests but also your personality and vision for life – and how an authentic application can truly make a difference.
StudiMed encouraged students to think beyond borders: studying medicine in Europe is possible even without top grades – with the right preparation for entrance exams and reliable on-site support.

You’ll find an overview of all partner organisations here.

If you missed this year's Career Day and would like to stay informed about future events, feel free to get in touch with us.