BRITISH EDUCATION IS OUR BUSINESS
Recognised globally for its excellence and unrivalled cultural diversity of international perspectives,
make your child stand out in today’s global workforce and community. It is their passport to the world.
Schools
Explore our curated listing of the world’s best British-curriculum schools
Events
Join online and physical events to learn about British education with us
Saturday, 7th October
9.30am to 12.30pm UK time
Email contact@waypointsasia.com for more information
Saturday, 30th September
9.45am to 1.30pm UK time
Email contact@waypointsasia.com for more information
Consultancy
Waypoints helps families navigate the school admissions process with impartial and informed advice. Holding to the highest standards of professionalism, we give our best to every family so their child has access to the education and opportunities they deserve.
News
Read articles on education and other current news
Resources
Dip into our library of resources to deepen your research
FAQs
Events
It is an acronym for The British Education and Schools Show in Asia. We started off as a carefully curated event for families in Asia, inviting schools with a good academic standard across the board, excellent and modern facilities and stronger levels of pastoral care given the distance between the UK and South East Asia. Our schools represent some of the most prestigious and competitively sought after schools in the UK.
At the physical show, attendees have the opportunity to visit exhibitor booths and meet schools’ admission directors face-to-face. A programme of talks allow parents to hear about topical issues in education from the experts.
This year, the pandemic has transformed the education landscape with schools moving to distance learning, accelerating the use of digital platforms and forcing a re-thinking of how to teach. Staying true to its motto, BESSA has added a new online portal – BESSA Connect – for families to “Be Informed” about British education and access to British-curriculum schools directly. BESSA Connect complements the physical school shows which are held annually in Singapore, Malaysia and from 2021, Bangkok.
A child’s education and learning experience is of huge importance for any parent. BESSA was founded upon the belief that it is beneficial for both parent and child to understand the options available and make well-informed decisions when choosing a school. BESSA is a great forum not only to explore and learn about British boarding, but also for parents to stay updated with new developments in world-leading education.
We encourage parents, together with their children (whether of primary or secondary level), to be a part of the BESSA family and speak with school representatives, alumni, current students and other parents.
The online BESSA Connect portal and BESSA’s physical shows are free admission events.
Yes, of course! The Team at BESSA are delighted to assist by putting you in direct contact with any Exhibitor, if you have not already done so through their BESSA Connect virtual booth. Just drop us an email at contact@waypointsasia.com with all the details.
Families interested in a British boarding school and starting their research can refer to this list of questions which covers a wide range of topics, from academic to extra-curricular, admissions and pastoral care:
General Information
- Where exactly is the school located? Is it in an urban or rural setting? What are the transport links to the school?
- What is the size of the school? Is it small (50-60 in a year group) or large (over 200 in a year group)? Is it co-ed or single sex?
- When was the school founded? Find out some history.
- Who owns the school? Is it a charitable trust? Or part of a larger commercial group?
- How long has the Head been at the school? Are there any change in headship plans?
- What are the school hours? How does the day work? Is there school on Saturdays?
- What outdoor space and facilities does the school have? Are there any facilities the school is currently lacking?
- Does the school have a religious faith, or any other particular ethos? How do you cater for children who do not come from your religious background?
- How diverse is your school community? How many international students are there, and from which countries?
Admissions process
- What are the main entry points into the school? Is there any possibility for entry at other times (eg. January intake). How will my child be integrated into the school then?
- When should I register?
- What are the entrance criteria?
- Will my child have to take any screening tests and if so, how should they prepare?
- Will my child be interviewed?
- What are the fees?
- What scholarships do you offer and how do we apply for them?
- What bursaries would be available to my child if we require fee assistance?
- If I have more than one child at the school, is there a sibling discount policy?
Academic questions
- What is the staff to pupil ratio?
- How do you monitor each child’s progress, and how do parents receive information?
- Does the school follow A Levels or the IB curriculum? What subjects within these curricula are offered? Are there any subjects not offered – eg. Chinese, any art or less popular options?
- Which universities do you feed?
- How do you support university applications? Do you have a US university advisor? What about other universities around the world – eg. HK, Singapore, Australia?
- What careers advice do you offer?
- What are your IGCSE and A-Level/IB results?
- How many pupils stay on in the Sixth Form? How many join the school at 16+, do many come from overseas?
- What are the staff qualifications? How many are subject specialists?
- What is your SEN (learning needs) support? Is it a department within the school, or outsourced? What assessments do you do? Which learning difficulties do the school cope with?
- If my child has a particular talent, how will you support, enrich or stretch it?
Co-curricular
- What extra-curricular activities and clubs do you offer?
- Will my child take part in drama productions and musical concerts? Can my child have individual or group lessons, and is it part of the curriculum?
- What sports do you offer? Does everyone have to do the same sports?
- Will my child be likely to be in a team? Which other schools do you compete against?
- What trips and expeditions do you run?
Pastoral Care
- How do you promote well-being and happiness? What happens when things go wrong?
- What happens if my child is unwell or injured?
- What are your drug policies? How do you manage teenage stress and mental health?
- How do you deal with bullying?
- What do you do about home sickness?
- How do we stay in touch with our child? Can my child have a mobile phone?
- How do you manage safeguarding?
- How does the boarding setup work? Are boarders grouped in houses? Which members of staff are responsible for boarding?
- How many full and part time boarders do you have? How many children are in school on Saturday nights?
The Team at BESSA always love to hear from you! If you have any further questions or feedback, send us an email at contact@waypointsasia.com or call us on +65 8742 1827. Follow Us on our social media platforms for updates.
A child’s education and learning experience is of huge importance for any parent. BESSA was founded upon the belief that it is beneficial for both parent and child to understand the options available and make well-informed decisions when choosing a school. BESSA is a great forum not only to explore and learn about British boarding, but also for parents to stay updated with new developments in world-leading education.
We encourage parents, together with their children (whether of primary or secondary level), to be a part of the BESSA family and speak with school representatives, alumni, current students and other parents.
BESSA’s physical shows are free admission events.
Yes, of course! The Team at BESSA are delighted to assist by putting you in direct contact with any Exhibitor, if you have not already done so through their virtual booth on this website. Just drop us an email at contact@waypointsasia.com with your contact details and the background to the enquiry.
Families interested in a British boarding school and starting their research can refer to this list of questions which covers a wide range of topics, from academic to extra-curricular, admissions and pastoral care:
General Information
- Where exactly is the school located? Is it in an urban or rural setting? What are the transport links to the school?
- What is the size of the school? Is it small (50-60 in a year group) or large (over 200 in a year group)? Is it co-ed or single sex?
- When was the school founded? Find out some history.
- Who owns the school? Is it a charitable trust? Or part of a larger commercial group?
- How long has the Head been at the school? Are there any change in headship plans?
- What are the school hours? How does the day work? Is there school on Saturdays?
- What outdoor space and facilities does the school have? Are there any facilities the school is currently lacking?
- Does the school have a religious faith, or any other particular ethos? How do you cater for children who do not come from your religious background?
- How diverse is your school community? How many international students are there, and from which countries?
Admissions process
- What are the main entry points into the school? Is there any possibility for entry at other times (eg. January intake). How will my child be integrated into the school then?
- When should I register?
- What are the entrance criteria?
- Will my child have to take any screening tests and if so, how should they prepare?
- Will my child be interviewed?
- What are the fees?
- What scholarships do you offer and how do we apply for them?
- What bursaries would be available to my child if we require fee assistance?
- If I have more than one child at the school, is there a sibling discount policy?
Academic questions
- What is the staff to pupil ratio?
- How do you monitor each child’s progress, and how do parents receive information?
- Does the school follow A Levels or the IB curriculum? What subjects within these curricula are offered? Are there any subjects not offered – eg. Chinese, any art or less popular options?
- Which universities do you feed?
- How do you support university applications? Do you have a US university advisor? What about other universities around the world – eg. HK, Singapore, Australia?
- What careers advice do you offer?
- What are your IGCSE and A-Level/IB results?
- How many pupils stay on in the Sixth Form? How many join the school at 16+, do many come from overseas?
- What are the staff qualifications? How many are subject specialists?
- What is your SEN (learning needs) support? Is it a department within the school, or outsourced? What assessments do you do? Which learning difficulties do the school cope with?
- If my child has a particular talent, how will you support, enrich or stretch it?
Co-curricular
- What extra-curricular activities and clubs do you offer?
- Will my child take part in drama productions and musical concerts? Can my child have individual or group lessons, and is it part of the curriculum?
- What sports do you offer? Does everyone have to do the same sports?
- Will my child be likely to be in a team? Which other schools do you compete against?
- What trips and expeditions do you run?
Pastoral Care
- How do you promote well-being and happiness? What happens when things go wrong?
- What happens if my child is unwell or injured?
- What are your drug policies? How do you manage teenage stress and mental health?
- How do you deal with bullying?
- What do you do about home sickness?
- How do we stay in touch with our child? Can my child have a mobile phone?
- How do you manage safeguarding?
- How does the boarding setup work? Are boarders grouped in houses? Which members of staff are responsible for boarding?
- How many full and part time boarders do you have? How many children are in school on Saturday nights?
CONSULTANCY
First stage
An initial consultation to determine your requirements for the school and an assessment of your child’s education background to-date. This would include:
Considering school choice factors such as curriculum options, school success record, extra-curricular strengths, single sex or co-ed, school ethos, boarding style, location, religious requirements, and other factors.
A review of your child’s recent school reports, academic progress and other extra-curricular achievements or ability.
A general discussion of an overseas education covering guardianship, school fees, travelling costs, living expenses and other issues.
Producing a list of potential schools.
Second stage
A more in depth research into each chosen school, assisting with a schedule of school visits and formal applications to short-listed schools.
Third stage
We will provide advice on pre-test and interview preparation if necessary and depending on the school’s criteria for entry. A place may be offered unconditionally or conditional upon success in entrance tests or examinations. We are able to refer you to experienced tutors to assist with test preparation.
Final stage
We will offer final advice regarding acceptance of an offer and consideration of whether a child is suitable for scholarship application. We will also help to answer any other queries about a chosen school prior to the child’s entry.
It is best to start the process of looking at schools about four years prior to entry. Most schools have a cut-off date by which your child must be registered. Some schools will take registration only up to a limited number, with names being placed on a waiting list if normal lists are full. There may be some places reserved for strong late applicants.
In the UK, preparatory schools tend to not have absolute cut-off dates while senior schools have dates that vary widely from three years prior to one year prior. For entry at 16+ years old, registration is usually required at least one year prior. However, schools have taken in students in special circumstances at short notice.
As a general rule of thumb, the earlier you start the process, the better your options and wider your choices.
It is our job to advise families which schools would be suitable for their child having taken into account all considerations. We will help to ensure that your child is presented, openly and honestly, in the best possible light. We do not, however, guarantee admission to any school because this is at the discretion of the admissions staff of the school. We are not recruitment agents and in particular, do not accept agency fees from any school.
We take the duty of confidentiality seriously and respect the privacy of all our clients’ affairs. Information obtained in the course of any consultancy is kept confidential and is not shared outside the scope of work.
It is our job to advise families which schools would be suitable for their child having taken into account all considerations. We will help to ensure that your child is presented, openly and honestly, in the best possible light. We do not, however, guarantee admission to any school because this is at the discretion of the admissions staff of the school. We are not recruitment agents and we do not accept agency fees from any school.
We take the duty of confidentiality seriously and respect the privacy of all our clients’ affairs. Information obtained in the course of any consultancy is kept confidential and is not shared outside the scope of work.
Partners
