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Education relocation support for school-aged children

Lionheart Education aims to provide academic continuity for children and teens of all ages, providing thorough relocation support focused on the education aspect, whether you have one child or multiple children of different ages. We are experts with 35 years of experience in school relocation, and we can keep children in line with the curriculum they are studying at the same time as handling admissions and offers on your behalf.

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Who we help

Families we support with our education relocation services

  • Internationally mobile families

    If you have a family that moves often, school decisions need to work in unison to maintain a complete education for your child. We can give the best advice on education continuity across British, European, and American systems, including bilingual schools.

  • Diplomatic school placements

    Embassy and diplomatic moves need to be handled with care and confidentiality, and we can assist with diplomat children in UK school placements. Rest assured that we can assist with boarding options, short-notice moves, and admission into state and private schools.

  • Expat families returning to the UK

    When children have received education outside of the British school system, it can be difficult for them to reintegrate if proper care and attention are not paid to the type of school, proper year group, and curriculum changes. We make it simple for a child expat when returning to a UK school.

  • Families requiring SEN provision abroad

    Our education relocation team goes the extra mile to source the best academic provision for SEND children as part of our family relocation services. We plan the whole transition thanks to our SEND consultancy service to make sure the move is calm and controlled.

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School shortlists and new school admissions

We help families compare UK independent schools, boarding schools, and international schools in London — as well as British schools abroad, IB World Schools in France, Switzerland, and Germany, and bilingual schools worldwide.

We thoroughly research, shortlist, and discuss every option with families, ensuring your child experiences a smooth transition into their new school.

We assess your child’s academic year, age, school records, interests, and curriculum to build the right shortlist. With 35 years of relocation experience, we guide families through Independent Schools Council schools, boarding options, and state schools, as well as international school placement in London covering IB, US, IGCSE, GCSE, and A-Level routes. For time-poor families, we also arrange virtual interviews, school visits, and entrance exam preparation

Curriculum continuity across multiple education systems

One of the main reasons a relocation can become complicated is when the different UK, IB, US and European curricula don’t align. We have expertise in all the international frameworks of education, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, College Board AP and university-application systems such as UCAS for international applicants and Common App.

When a child is looking to make an A-Level to IB switch, we can provide the curriculum continuity from UK to IB that they need to determine which topics have already been covered, and which ones need to be taught. Even in the 16+ years, we can provide university consultancy, including Common App help from the UK or UCAS from abroad and university planning across time zones or school systems.

Arriving in the UK after GCSE or IGCSE

Possible route: A-Levels, the IB Diploma, a suitable sixth-form programme, or a US-style Grade 11 or 12

Arriving in the UK partway through GCSE or IGCSE

Possible route: continue the existing GCSE or IGCSE pathway to completion in a state or international school

Arriving in the UK during early A-Level study

Possible route: continue A-Levels where possible, or an early switch to the IB Diploma if a move back to Europe is likely.

Arriving in the UK during early IB Diploma study

Possible route: continue the IB Diploma at an appropriate IB school or make the change to A-Levels at a British school.

Moving from the UK to a European country

Possible route: select a British School abroad or an international school where GCSEs or IGCSEs can be taken, or switch to the IB Diploma at the earliest opportunity.

Moving from the UK to the USA

Possible route: a straightforward transfer into a suitable US high-school grade with extra support getting used to the US curriculum.

Rupert Syme Lionheart Education

Helping Families Relocate

"We help families relocating from other countries. You have to have strong relationships with the schools, you have to know their registration team very well and they need to know you very well.

Rupert Syme Chairman & Head of Educational Consultancy
Rupert Syme Lionheart Education
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The relocation process handled for you

  • Step 1 — Discovery call

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    A first call or meeting is essential to kickstart the process, and we’ll aim to learn everything about your to and from destinations, current schooling, curricula of study, and any urgent deadlines for admission to UK or international schools.

  • Step 2 — System mapping

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    Changing locations for schooling can be challenging if the education system is not mapped out correctly, as your child needs to be placed in the correct year group within the right admissions window. We identify the age and stage your child is learning at for best results.

  • Step 3 — Shortlisting schools

    Illustration of a child walking in front of a school in Italy

    We listen carefully to your needs and seek to create a shortlist of schools that not only fit your child’s academic profile, but also the pastoral support, school culture, and extracurricular activities they offer.

  • Step 4 — Applications, visits and offers

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    As the Lionheart team coordinates everything on your behalf, we take care of the application process as well as entrance assessment tuition and interview preparation where needed. We can also arrange in-person or virtual meetings with the school for you.

  • Step 5 — Tuition through the move

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    When the school start dates don’t quite align, we can provide homeschooling for travelling families as well as international tutors that travel with you to bridge the gap in education. An online tutor for relocation is often the easiest way to manage educational continuity during an international move.

Frequently asked questions

  • When should we start planning a school relocation?

    Ideally, a school move, whether in the UK or internationally, should be planned at least three to six months before the move. However, we can assist with emergency relocations, whether it’s to a state school, independent school, boarding school, or international school.

  • Do you only support families relocating to the UK?

    We support families moving into the UK or abroad, as our international education team can help with relocating children into British schools abroad or IB World Schools. We can advise across British, European and American systems of schooling, and explain the admissions process as clearly as possible to parents.

  • Is it possible to secure a UK or international school place for our child before we arrive?

    Yes, and in many cases this is the best outcome so the international transition is as efficient as possible for your family and your child. We can handle every aspect of education relocation support, with shortlisting schools, entrance exams, and online tuition to prepare for the new curriculum.

  • Can your team advise on international school systems and curricula?

    Our education team can advise on multiple school systems both in the UK and abroad, including British, IB, and American systems. This includes GCSEs, IGCSEs, A-Levels, IB Diplomas, AP, and other European routes. We give families full clarity when they want the best education for their children after a move to another country, whatever age the children.

  • Can Lionheart help with university planning during a relocation?

    If a student is relocating during the final years of college between the ages of 16 and 19, we can support university shortlisting, course research, and international university applications. This includes both UCAS and Common App applications, and we can even provide interview preparation help, personal statement help, and essay writing.