The Education UK Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of a range of new services for boarding schools.

Focusing on priority countries, the new subscription-based services include school-focused market intelligence, overseas exhibitions, agent listings, agent fairs, professional development, web and marketing services, and more, and are designed to help you:

			plan more effectively with schools-focused market intelligence
			build a valuable network of agents to promote your school
			meet students and parents at schools-focused events and exhibitions
			reach your target audiences through a range of marketing and promotional opportunities
			gain ideas and best-practice with local advice, networking events and professional development opportunities.

The services
On joining the Education UK Partnership, you gain access to a range of services highlighted below.

Market evaluation

			Market analysis reports: Our reports focus on the market for boarding schools and cover macro-economic profiles, levels of disposable income, in-country education systems, student populations, subject demand and more. The reports are designed to help you: evaluate market opportunities for your school plan where to focus your recruitment and marketing activities for the best results keep track of demand in different markets.
			Attitudinal market research: What are parents and students who are considering overseas study at a boarding school looking for in a school? Where do they look for information? How can you reach them? Independently commissioned by the British Council, this research uses qualitative and quantitative techniques to capture parents’ and students’ aspirations and attitudes towards a UK boarding school education, helping you to tailor your marketing to reflect your target audience’s needs and interests.

Marketing and recruitment

			Agent listings: Looking for agents to represent your school can be a laborious task. On joining the Education UK Partnership, you receive agent listings for 18 countries with full contact details. All agents listed are validated by the British Council and are currently engaged in, or interested in, representing boarding schools. They also receive regular updates from the British Council about studying in the UK.
			Agent fairs: Once you have your list of agents, the next problem is meeting them. What if there was a way to meet several agents at once – and in the UK? Designed for boarding schools, the agent fairs are a way to meet delegations of British Council-validated agents from priority countries in the UK, to help you build a network of agents to promote your school.
			Exhibitions: Overseas exhibitions can be a valuable tool for recruitment, but if they aren’t geared up for your market, they can be a waste of time and money. The Education UK Partnership is launching a new programme of exhibitions exclusively for boarding schools, as well as dedicated schools zones at some existing Education UK exhibitions, enabling you to meet parents and students with a genuine interest in your sector.
			Promotion on Education UK websites: On-line research is now a major part of the student decision-making process. With the Education UK websites attracting over one million visitors per month, a profile is a great way to promote your institution. As a member, you receive a web listing and can sell your benefits with inspiring copy and images on a profile page.
			Brochure display: As a member of the Partnership, your brochure is displayed in British Council offices with public access areas, enabling visiting students and parents overseas to find out more about your institution.

Development and support

			Communications and meetings: As a member of the Partnership, you are invited to an annual seminar exclusively for boarding schools where you can network with colleagues and discuss issues relevant to the sector. You will also be invited to the Education UK Partnership annual conference, where you can gain knowledge of global issues and market trends. In addition, we’ll send you a regular newsletter keeping you updated on market opportunities.
			Professional development: To support you in your recruitment strategy, we offer you a range of training and development opportunities, covering topics such as working with agents and marketing to help you gain market knowledge and develop your expertise.

Global network, local advice
Operating in 110 countries and territories worldwide for over 70 years, the British Council’s purpose is to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide.

With a reputation for integrity and high quality, the British Council is the first port of call for reliable, trustworthy and impartial information on studying in the UK. The Education UK Partnership’s services are supported by local market knowledge and strong relationships with governments, education institutions, businesses and communities. The power of association with the British Council provides schools with a unique opportunity in the market.

The Education UK Partnership focuses on 18 country markets.

Sector focused
The services were developed in consultation with a practitioner’s panel drawn from schools from across the UK and researched with over 200 schools. They will continue to be supported by a boarding schools panel, a representative on the Education UK Partnership board, and a dedicated support manager.

Indicative schedule of activities, Autumn 2008 to Summer 2009

Fees and how to join
The annual Partnership membership fee for boarding schools is GBP 1,950 (an estimated 40 per cent of this is attributed to UK-supplied services and is therefore subject to VAT). There is also a non-refundable one-off joining fee of GBP 78 plus VAT. Some services available to boarding schools are optional, paid services.

If you are interested in joining the Partnership as a boarding school, please check that you meet the eligibility criteria and then submit the membership registration form.

If you have any questions about the Partnership, please contact the Education UK Partnership helpdesk.

Launch events
The Education UK Partnership held three free events to give boarding schools more information about the new services and what they have to offer. The presentations from the launch events are available:

London, 24 September 2008
The Education UK Partnership and schools (95KB)
Support for boarding schools - The new services and how to get the best out of them (551KB)
What drives the decision behind coming to a school in the UK? (237KB)
Changes to the entry clearance process (699KB)
Agent strategy (383KB)

Manchester, 3 October 2008
Welcome to the new services for boarding schools (54KB)
The Education UK Partnership and schools (91KB)
Support for boarding schools - The new services and how to get the best out of them (710KB)
What drives the decision behind coming to a school in the UK? (262KB)
Changes to the entry clearance process (425KB)

Edinburgh, 13 November 2008
The Education UK Partnership and schools (95KB)
Support for boarding schools - The new services and how to get the best out of them (710KB)
Changes to the entry clearance process (424KB)