International Admissions

Everyone at the school naturally does what they can to help our new Overseas Pupils settle in as quickly as possible. To this end we offer an induction programme which has been designed specifically for them.

The programme includes the following:

• Practical instruction from relevant staff for all new Overseas Pupils
• A junior pupil ‘buddy’ operation
• Assistance with opening new bank accounts, confirming visas, arranging flights etc.
• The configuration of personal laptops so that they function on the school network
• An introduction to the culture of Wales – including visits and talks

All of the first year Sixth Form students participate in the Leadership programme at the start of the first term, which immediately helps the Overseas Pupils to feel part of this older group in the school. The new junior pupils from overseas will have ‘buddies’ arranged for them by their Houseparents to help them to get used to the school programme as quickly and comfortably as possible.

The Deputy Head, through his general responsibilities as well as his acquaintance with parents and agents, will also be a close point of contact and communication for the Overseas Pupils.

The teacher responsible for liaising with Overseas Pupils will meet representatives of this group on a regular basis; this meeting will include the Prefects with specific responsibility for Overseas Pupils liaison and ensure that their views and feelings are heard and communicated appropriately. The member of staff will also take a part in the induction and assimilation of these pupils and provide a point of support for the Guardianship Manager if necessary. There is ongoing close liaison between House staff, Tutors, subject teachers, and the EAL department.

The nominated Prefects with particular responsibilities for Overseas Pupils also represent the views of these pupils at the School Prefects’ weekly meetings with the Head and the Deputy Head.

The vulnerabilities of those whose first language is not English are reflected in relevant school policies and procedures and the teacher responsible for liaising with this group is aware of those policies and procedures. Another important part of this role is ensuring, through regular inset briefings, that the teaching staff remain conscious of cultural, linguistic and behavioural nuances of those from other cultures.

All Overseas Pupils  are required to have a Guardian based in the United Kingdom, who is not an older sibling at school in the UK. Parents or agents may choose to appoint such guardians and register them with us as part of the entry process to the School, or they may take advantage of the school’s own Hosting Scheme, which places pupils with local host families. Information on this Scheme is available from the school or on the school’s website. The families act as hosts for the pupils placed with them for half-terms, and often see these pupils at other times, too.

The Host Family Scheme Coordinator  looks after many of the practicalities of induction. She is in regular contact with parents, too, and liaises with Houseparents over the relevant details of the Overseas Pupils’ arrangements.

The results achieved by our Overseas Pupils in their mainstream external examinations are excellent, with students going on to study at some of the best universities in the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, and UCL.

Houseparents and those who teach the Overseas Pupils are provided with profile information which details pupils’ linguistic needs and gives advice to staff on how best to assist them in the classroom. At the latter stage of the Sixth Form this also includes IELTS scores and their University requirements. All pupils at the school have their own House Tutor to advise on academic and pastoral matters; the Tutors who look after Overseas Pupils take a particular interest in the wellbeing of these tutees who are often a long way from their homes and families.

Most of our Overseas Pupils will not have English as their first language. In the lower school many pupils are prepared for the IGCSE English as a Second Language examination which provides them with additional English teaching.The first year of EAL classes is provided without charge as part of the induction programme.

In the Sixth Form, those pupils who intend to study at an English speaking university and who are not already in possession of an appropriate qualification are prepared for the IELTS English examination. Pupils are taken to a local Examination Centre in Cardiff to take these examinations.

Christ College welcomes pupils of all faiths and of none; Overseas Pupils regularly have the chance to contribute to the Chapel Services, helping to raise their profile and to enhance their own presentational skills. The school also celebrates red letter days from other cultures and religion, for example the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn festival.

The school has a vibrant exchange programme with schools in China and Japan, and enjoys links with other schools with other schools across the globe. These exchanges are an excellent opportunity for exploring and promoting all aspects of the varied cultures that make up the pupil population and the school, and help reassure pupils from these countries and others of the openness of Christ College to other cultures. There are presentations by pupils who participate in these trips, as well as by those from these countries to help share experiences and cultural nuances. There is also a full programme of other major tours and trips, too, for all the pupils of the school.

There are school excursions each Sunday, including shopping trips to Cardiff or Bristol which are popular with Overseas Pupils!