International Admissions
Unlocking their potential
Ipswich High School is a coeducational boarding school nestled in the picturesque Suffolk countryside.
Ipswich High School is a vibrant day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-18, set in an idyllic 87-acre campus in Woolverstone on the banks of the River Orwell. Our home is Woolverstone Hall, a Palladian Grade I listed mansion built in 1776 and our campus is just over an hour from both London and Cambridge. As a fully coeducational school, we provide a nurturing environment for boarding students from age 11.
At Ipswich High School, we take great care to welcome every international pupil as an individual. From the admissions process through to life in our boarding community, we provide tailored support to help them settle in, thrive academically, and feel a true sense of belonging.
Mr Dan Thompson – International Registrar and Head of EAL
International Admissions
Our EAL Department and International Admissions is run by Mr Dan Thompson. Mr Thompson started his teaching career working as an English teacher in a small orphanage in Zacetecoluca, El Salvador. From there, he spent 2 years working as an assistant Drama teacher in Florida before moving to Ukraine with the United States Peace Corps to work as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher. After nearly three years in Ukraine, Mr Thompson moved to China to work at an English Language centre in Shanghai. A year later, he accepted a job teaching English at Shanghai University. Years later, he moved to Wroclaw, Poland to take the role of Primary School Administrator. Since returning to the United Kingdom, Mr Thompson has worked for a Language School in Oxford and has taught foundation year courses at Buckingham New University.
Boutique Boarding
Our exceptional boutique boarding offers a home-away-from-home experience. We consider our award-winning boarding as a ‘boutique’ because our boarding houses are small and have exceptional, high-quality facilities, from the stunning setting to the beautifully designed interiors. Home for our boarders is The Dairy House and The Barns, located within the school’s stunning campus. Just a short walk from the main school, our boarding houses sit in a safe and idyllic setting, looking out over the beautiful Suffolk countryside and private woodland.
Our Education
The United Kingdom has a global reputation for its high standards of education. Ipswich High School was established in 1878 and we support that traditional education by providing our students with the foundations to flourish both academically and socially.
We have small classes of hard-working pupils and inspirational teachers who help to instil a love of learning. We prepare students for their GCSEs and A Levels. We offer 600 clubs and activities as part of our Enrichment Programme. The 9 Enrichment periods each week are embedded as part of the school day and underline our commitment to the holistic education of the whole child.
EAL
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) department at Ipswich High School identifies a student’s language needs at the earliest opportunity, recognising the skills they bring to the school and ensuring equality of access to the whole curriculum. This help is a mixture of academic and pastoral support and extends to all areas of school life, as these students are learning not only a second language but also how to adapt and thrive in a new culture.
English Language Testing
International pupils who speak English as an Additional Language will sit an English Language test as part of their application to ensure that they can fully access the curriculum and that the EAL department will be able to provide any support they might need. For pupils applying to enter from Year 10 upwards, we require a minimum language level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). International pupils who have already taken an English test and received certified test results are welcome to submit their certificates as part of their application documents. If required, we can supply an English test for a fee, payable with the registration fee. Ipswich High School has partnered with Duolingo English Test who provide high-quality, secure, and accurate English tests that pupils can take at any computer or laptop in the comfort of their own home.
Guardianships
All international pupils at Ipswich High School must have a legal guardian whether living in our Boarding House or with a homestay family. Ipswich High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every boarding pupil. The school is responsible for each pupil’s welfare during term time and will, therefore, undertake designated parental responsibilities. We therefore require the parents or legal guardians of all boarding pupils (including those over the age of 18) who do not live in the United Kingdom, to appoint a UK guardian or educational guardianship organisation. The guardian must be given legal authority to act on behalf of the parent or legal guardian in all aspects. Ipswich High School does not appoint guardians on behalf of parents; the responsibility for selecting an appropriate guardian rests solely with the parent or legal guardian. We do require that all guardianship organisations chosen by parents are approved by the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS).
UKVI Visa
Overseas students who are joining Ipswich High School without a UK passport (and who plan to stay with us for longer than 3 months) will receive specialist international student visa support. These services are provided on our behalf by Sable International, a UK immigration law specialist. Once you have accepted a place, you will be assigned an account manager at Sable International who will manage your visa application. This process is compulsory for any pupil who requires sponsorship and carries a compliance management fee. We are a UK Student Visa sponsor with the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration), so we can issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) to support international student visa applications. The CAS provides proof that the student has an offer of a school place and is a vital part of the visa application process.
