SHERRY: Our first question - I'm sure everybody wants to know the background on your decision to come to the UK. What made you come and select a British education for your children?

CATE: My family and I lived in the United States, specifically in New York City, before relocating to Abu Dhabi, where we lived for five years. The reason for our move was my husband's employment at a hedge fund based there. Therefore, our initial exposure to English education occurred in Abu Dhabi. With four children, two born in New York and two in Abu Dhabi, we opted for the English system over the American system. We believed that selecting the American system in Abu Dhabi might not match the educational standards in New York City, potentially leading to academic setbacks if we were to return. Hence, we enrolled our children at Brighton College Abu Dhabi.

Although we anticipated that the educational level in an English school in Abu Dhabi might not be on par with those in the UK, we were pleasantly surprised upon relocating to London. After nearly eight years here, we found that our children, transitioning from Brighton College Abu Dhabi to the UK system, were exceptionally well-prepared.

Overall, our school choices have always been based on what we consider the best fit for our current location. Living in Central London, we opted for the English system as we believe it offers the best educational opportunities in this area.

SHERRY: You also answered my next question! Why did you choose British schools in the UK instead of American schools?

CATE: We have typically chosen what we believe to be the best schools available in our current location. Overall, we have been quite satisfied with our selections. I believe it's important to assess your surroundings and make the most suitable choices accordingly. Being an American family, we may approach education differently at home compared to the English school system. However, I find that these approaches complement each other effectively. The education we provide at home differs slightly from what our children experience in the classroom, and I believe this balance is beneficial.

SHERRY: Do you think that British schools provide your child with better academics?

CATE: In the United States, early childhood education tends to be more play-based. This approach emphasises that children learn best through play. In contrast, the English system is more structured, with less emphasis on play-based learning. Both approaches have their strengths, but personally, I feel that we can provide a play-based education at home. I believe this complements the more structured approach taken in British schools. Essentially, I think they balance each other out quite well.

SHERRY: A lot of our clients have the opportunity to choose either the US or the UK for their children’s education. Do you actually prefer that your kids receive a British education while they are young and then transition to the US when they are older?

CATE: Yeah, I believe they would thrive in a US university setting. Initially, transitioning to the English education system presented some challenges for us. I hold a master's degree in education and social work, and I have prior teaching experience. I've noticed that education approaches vary significantly between the US and the UK.

In the US, there's a stronger emphasis on positive discipline compared to here. Initially, understanding the UK system was challenging for me, as it seemed to be more fear-based. In the UK, they use behaviour charts to track student behaviour, which can impact their standing. In contrast, in the US, teachers often use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours. For example, if a teacher praises a student for holding their pencil correctly, other students are likely to follow suit, as they crave positive attention.

Although I initially found these differences challenging, our children are now thriving within the UK system. Over time, I've grown more comfortable with it.

SHERRY: And for your next steps, are you considering British universities or American universities?

CATE: We really are focused on university in the US,  just because we feel it offers more of a well-rounded environment. So we think that US university complements UK secondary school. That being said, if our children feel like they want to stay in the UK for university, obviously we're open to all ideas.