International Pupils

We warmly welcome pupils from around the world to Lancing and celebrate the rich cultural diversity they bring to our community. Currently Lancing has students from 43 different countries making up 31% of our pupil body. This global perspective enhances the experience of both UK and international pupils, preparing all students for life in an interconnected world.

While studying abroad may seem daunting, our international pupils are fully integrated into school life and quickly see the College as being their term-time home. Our Houses remain open every weekend during term time, apart from five exeat weekends, ensuring a strong sense of school family and belonging. We are committed to providing a truly international education while maintaining the essence of an English boarding school by carefully balancing the number of pupils from each country.

At Lancing, friendships between British and international pupils form quickly. From the moment they arrive, international pupils are valued members of their House and year group, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. The friendships formed at Lancing are often life-long and the cosmopolitan nature of the school is one of its key strengths.

Guardians

All pupils whose parents do not live in the UK must have a UK-based guardian who is responsible for the pupil when not in College e.g. Exeat weekends, half-term holidays, early returns etc. Guardians are also key in supporting international pupils and liaising with parents e.g. through attending parents’ meetings, matches or concerts. A guardian needs to be close at hand (within a couple of hours of the College) and may be a family member or relative, or family friend who is over 25 years of age and who is not a full-time student, but is resident in the UK. If such a contact in the UK is unavailable, guardians can be provided by a reputable guardianship organisation. Please download our additional supplement for further information on the Guardian system.

Lancing College is a member of AEGIS. And whilst we do not appoint or recommend guardians, please contact the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS), an umbrella body which accredits a large number of guardianship agencies, if you would like help of guidance. Their website is www.aegisuk.net The Guardianship Terms and Conditions document gives further details and guidance about this important role.

Arrival at the College at the Start of term

Boarding Houses typically open at 18.00 for returning boarders at the start of most terms, except for the Advent Term, where special arrangements apply for new pupils. For those arriving at school via airports, one boys’ and one girls’ House will be open from 09.00, allowing luggage to be stored and providing a base for early arrivals to relax until the school reopens. Lunch and supper will be available for all returning boarders throughout the day.

At the beginning of each term, all boarders must be present at College by 20.45 to attend the 21.00 roll call. Boarding Houses will be secured with alarms from 23.00; therefore, pupils arriving in the UK later must arrange accommodation with their guardians.

Half Terms and End of Advent Term Arrangements

During the October and February Half Terms, as well as after the end-of-term Carol Service in December, boarders have the option to return home that evening or stay overnight at school to facilitate airport transfers the following morning.

Exeat Weekends

There are four Exeat weekends an academic year, and these give an important mid-half term break for pupils and a chance for a real change of pace: to return home, to stay with their Guardian or to stay with friends. In the event that a family is not able to put such an arrangement in place, the school will ensure the care of an international pupil over an Exeat weekend.

Travel Considerations

We understand that some airlines operate only one flight per day to and from certain destinations. If a flight schedule necessitates an early arrival in the UK before the start of term, we request that pupils stay with their guardian the night before returning to school, with independent travel arrangements made accordingly.

Regardless of a pupil’s age, they must always transfer directly from the College’s care to that of a parent or guardian. Pupils flying in or out of the UK cannot stay alone in a hotel the night before departure or after arrival.

Student Visas

To ensure the safest and most efficient management of Child Student Visas for our pupils and their families, we have appointed Newland Chase Education, a specialist in this field, to oversee visa application procedures on our behalf. Below is an outline of the process.

Travel Arrangements for Visa-Holding Pupils

It is essential that we maintain a record of travel arrangements for all visa-holding pupils, regardless of whether they require school transport. Please ensure that the Arrival and Departure Arrangements form, sent at the beginning of each term, is completed and returned promptly.

For Child Student Visa holders, College sponsorship requires advance notification of all travel plans for each College holiday. Pupils should not depart the College before the official start of any holiday or Half Term, and all travel arrangements must align with the published term dates. Failure to notify the College of travel plans or repeated early departures may jeopardise a pupil’s current visa and any future applications. Travel notifications must come from a parent or guardian, as the College cannot process transport requests directly from pupils.

Important Documentation for International Travel

The College will provide all international pupils with an ‘invitation letter’ confirming their enrolment at Lancing. We recommend that this letter be kept in their hand luggage at all times while travelling.

Additionally, we advise parents to provide their child with a ‘consent letter’ confirming their agreement for the pupil to study at Lancing. A copy of this letter should be shared with the College, and a draft template is available upon request. Pupils should carry a copy of this letter when travelling. This precaution addresses increasing airport security concerns regarding unaccompanied minors and is strongly recommended for all parents of pupils residing outside the UK.

Upon Confirmation of a Place at Lancing

Once a place at Lancing is confirmed, we will forward your details to Newland Chase Education. A dedicated representative from their team will contact you to guide you through the visa application process, ensuring that all necessary requirements are met and that you remain informed at every stage.

First-Time Application to Lancing

Each pupil requires individual sponsorship from the College through the issuance of a Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies (CAS) certificate. It is the school’s responsibility to verify, to the best of our knowledge, that the applicant meets all necessary criteria for a valid CAS. Should an application be refused by the Embassy, it will impact the College’s sponsorship record, which is closely monitored and essential for licence renewal. Therefore, we must ensure that all applicants are genuine and have not previously been refused a visa. This process includes verifying the following:

Identity Documents: Passports and birth certificates.
Academic Records: School reports and qualifications.
English Proficiency: Confirmation that the applicant’s level of English meets the required standard.
Entrance Examinations: Ensuring that entrance papers are genuine and have been invigilated appropriately.
Financial Viability: Proof of sufficient funds to cover the first year’s boarding and tuition fees in full before applying for the CAS. This may involve requesting bank statements to verify funds.
Parental Consent & Guardianship: Evidence confirming the authenticity of the relationship between the child and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), which includes submission of adult passports, birth certificates, and any relevant legal documentation.

For further details, please refer to the following sources:

UK Government Child Student Visa Information

For assistance, Newland Chase Education can be contacted on 0113 340 1515 or via email at education@newlandchase.com.