Leaders at British boarding schools will visit Ghana in a bid to appeal to potential students in a market where interest in UK boarding options has been “surging”. Over the last year, students from Ghana have increase by more than 20% in UK boarding schools.
Almost 20 heads, principals, and senior leaders will attend a UK Boarding School Exhibition in the country’s capital, Accra. The event will connect the British institutions with Ghanaian parents, students, government ministers and business leaders.
“Ghana’s affluent and globally minded population are looking at the UK for boarding schools”
The event, organised by Mark Brooks Education and Anderson Education, and supported by the UK’s Department for International Trade and British High Commission in Accra, will aim to position young people for success in the future, according to one of the event’s organisers.
“The UK and Ghana enjoy shared values, a thriving trading relationship and a belief in the transformation that an outstanding, all-round education with strong pastoral care can make to futures of our young people,” Mark Brooks explained.
“An increasingly affluent and globally minded population within Ghana are now looking at the UK for boarding school options for their sons and daughters,” he added.
After running 10 exhibitions in Nigeria, this will be Mark Brooks Education and Anderson Education’s first exhibition to Ghana.
“Choosing a school is one of the most important, emotional and financially significant decisions parents will make for their children,” Sara Sparling, a Director at Anderson Education.
“Time spent in early exploration, research and discussion with individual schools and specialist consultants is not only wise, it will ensure that their sons and daughters will achieve their full potential, in a happy, safe and secure environment.”
According to Independent Schools Council figures, Nigerian student represented the highest number of international students to UK independent schools in 2019, with 1,411 students in total.
Other African nations sent 1,501 students to ISC’s 1,364 member schools.
The numbers of new pupils joining UK independent schools from Nigeria increased from 300 in 2018 to 343 this year, the statistics show.
In 2019 independent schools saw 290 new pupils from Ghana compared with 236 the previous year, representing a 23% increase.
The free exhibition will be at The Golden Tulip Hotel on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May, and will be attended by 15 UK boarding schools, including Gordonstoun.
“We have a long relationship with Ghana and in the past have even brought a student music tour here,” said Chris Barton from Gordonstoun. “However, this is my first visit and I am looking forward to re-establishing connections with such an exciting and rapidly emerging market.”
The other schools taking part in the delegation include ACS Cobham, Ashford School, Bromsgrove, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Dean Close, Monkton, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, St David’s College, St Joseph’s College, St Swithun’s, St Lawrence College, Wellington School, Woldingham and Wrekin College.
