Further News

More than one hundred families joined our webinar "Future Skills & Self-Determination" yesterday evening to explore what young people need to meet the professional challenges ahead.

Our guests Ragnhild Struss (founder, Struss & Claussen Career Consultancy) and Prof. Dr. Isabell Welpe (Chair of Strategy and Organisation, TU Munich) spent 75 minutes approaching the same conclusion from two different angles.

The central question: if knowledge is accessible everywhere, what still matters?

Prof. Dr. Welpe spoke of "tacit knowledge" – everything that cannot be found in books: life experience, networks across disciplines, the capacity for judgment. This is precisely what AI models lack as training data, and it will therefore grow in importance. In future, skills will matter more than credentials, she argued: "You can lead a good life without a degree. But without skills, you will struggle."

Her advice: choose universities that actively foster social interaction. She counts among these the Anglo-Saxon institutions such as Cambridge with its colleges and MIT with over 550 student clubs, but also WHU, CODE Berlin, ETH and TUM closer to home.

Ragnhild Struss identified three core skills: self-efficacy, communication and critical thinking. Can you explain what drives you? How you have dealt with setbacks? These are the questions that will count in future job interviews.

Her line that stayed with the audience: "Everyone already has innate abilities that can be developed." The task is to recognise them and then discover "where can I best contribute my potential?"

Both speakers see AI literacy as indispensable. The US is already ahead, treating tool competency as a given, while Germany is still debating Copilot licences. Ragnhild Struss pointed to the "seniority gap" dilemma: if entry-level jobs disappear, how will young people build the necessary experience? Companies must take greater responsibility for passing on experience ("embodied cognition").

Both speakers agreed: the path leads from the inside out. Not everyone needs to go to Cambridge at 17. Those who know themselves and build self-efficacy can do so anywhere. That takes the pressure off.

A warning also emerged: an MIT study shows that after just three months of AI use, cognitive ability measurably declines. For Prof. Welpe, this is more serious than social media.

Our warmest thanks to Ragnhild Struss and Prof. Dr. Isabell Welpe for this rich and thought-provoking evening.

The webinar recording is available here.

This week we received two particularly lovely videos from our partner schools Oswestry School and Tettenhall College, in which the Headmasters talk about their collaboration with us.

Oswestry School Video, Tettenham College Video – many thanks to Peter Middelton and Christopher McAllister!

Oswestry School in Shropshire, founded in 1407, is small enough for every pupil to be personally known, yet large enough to offer excellent facilities. We were particularly impressed during our last visit by the newly opened boarding house for the Sixth Form and the "Futures Fortnight" – talks and seminars about life after school taking place every two weeks. The particularly strong international mix ensures there's plenty happening at weekends too.

Tettenhall College in the West Midlands is a warm, manageable school with a remarkable range of opportunities. "The aim of our school is to develop their gifts and talents within the classroom and beyond", says Headmaster Christopher McAllister. The recently refurbished dining hall and the committed sports programme with new partnerships (Tennis Club, Golf Club, Fencing, Swimming, Squash Academy) make the campus particularly attractive – our students there are very happy, and so are we.

Our longstanding partner school King William's College on the Isle of Man, one of the British Isles' most established boarding schools, is breaking new ground: from September 2026, students will be able to choose between the school's well-established IB Diploma and an innovative A-Level pathway for the first time. In partnership with King's InterHigh, the UK's leading online school, they're creating a blended learning model where 22 A-Level subjects are taught through live online lessons – while students still get the full boarding experience with pastoral care and co-curricular activities. The model makes for attractive pricing.

Principal Damian Henderson calls it a "school within a school". "The aim of this ground-breaking initiative is to give choice to our families by providing a more affordable A-Level Sixth Form pathway for island and international students alike."

King William's has actually been one of Glasmacher's partners since the early days – and that came about through a chance encounter: Barbara Glasmacher added the school to her portfolio 30 years ago after a golf tournament, having borrowed a bike on a whim and bumped into the then-headmaster Stuart Westley in the school grounds, who happened to be loading his golf clubs into his car. He promptly gave her a tour – the beginning of a partnership that's still going strong today.

Christmas is an ideal time to look ahead – not least to next summer's plans. Those who think early can use the warmer months to refine their English in inspiring settings at one of our partner schools in England. What many families don't realise is that several of our partners offer courses not only for school-age children, but for older teenagers, university students and adults – in some cases, parents and children can even study together.

St Clare's International College, Oxford
St Clare's offers academically rigorous foundation and language courses aimed at young adults aged 19 and over who want to combine English language development with university-level content – particularly suited to students or school leavers preparing for higher education.

Parent and Child Course in Oswestry
A family option for parents who want to learn alongside their children: in Oswestry, you and your child (aged 6–16) attend age-appropriate English courses each morning, while afternoons are given over to shared activities and excursions – an immersive language experience the whole family can engage with together.

Oxford Royale Academy
Oxford Royale runs a broad selection of some 30 summer programmes, including courses specifically for adults aged 19 and over. Subjects range from academic pathways to creative and cultural themes – among them Stately Homes & Country Gardens for those drawn to British architecture and landscape design, or Creative Writing for anyone looking to refine their writing.

For details on dates and fees, please get in touch:
Tel. +49 89 38 40 540 or email our language course specialist Monika Domokos: monika.domokos@glasmacher.de

 For many students, mock exams or finals loom immediately after the holidays. The Christmas break offers a valuable chance to review content, address gaps in knowledge, and begin the new year with a clear plan. Two of our trusted partners offer intensive preparation options:

IB Doctor – Individual Revision Weeks

IB Doctor was founded by former IB graduates. The revision weeks are tailored entirely to your child's needs, subjects and any gaps in understanding. All tutors have achieved at least 40 IB points themselves and teach not only subject knowledge but also strategies for time management and effective exam preparation. Through the IB Clinic platform, students gain access to past papers, study notes and more.

For more information: Link to IB Doctor

Oxford Science Studies (OXSS) – Christmas & New Year Courses

OXSS offers structured intensive courses for A-Level, GCSE, IGCSE and IB students. During the first week of the Christmas holidays, courses run either in person in Oxford or online; in the first week of January, they are available online. Courses can be booked flexibly and are taught by subject specialists.

Please contact us for details on course dates and fees.

If you have further questions or would like a personal assessment, we remain at your disposal. Contact us at info@glasmacher.de or by phone at +49–89–38 40 54–0.

Many families considering English-language degree programmes initially think of Britain or the United States. Yet the Netherlands merits serious consideration. Tuition fees for EU citizens stand at around €2,300 per year – a fraction of UK and US costs.

A further advantage: many Dutch universities employ modern, interactive teaching formats that foster independence and actively engage students in the learning process. At the same time, the institutions are strongly international in character and offer over 2,100 English-taught degree programmes across diverse disciplines.

For those seeking an initial overview, the Dutch Universities Consortium is hosting an informative online webinar on 2 December. The consortium is an association of Dutch universities that provides prospective international students with impartial guidance – from degree structures and application routes to entry requirements.

To register: https://lnkd.in/euaeU5gd

Application deadlines for most programmes close on 15 January.

Important to note: while gaining admission to degree programmes is often straightforward, finding accommodation proves considerably more challenging. Anyone planning to study in the Netherlands should therefore begin searching for a room or shared flat as early as possible.

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