International Admissions Welcome

We’re proud of our global outlook in welcoming students from around the world. The diversity of the community is of great benefit to all. All pupils at the College, value the friendships they make with those whose families live overseas. Both can learn from each other, sharing knowledge and the experience of different cultures and language whilst enjoying the value of an excellent British education together.

International entry is normally from Year 6 upwards (excluding Years 11 and 13) Applications can be made to join other Years subject to availability. Students entering Year 12 must be 17 or under by 1st September on the year of entry.

We are also happy to consider pupils to join for a short-term placement to allow them to improve their English and enjoy the British Boarding School experience.

We have a very strong EAL department which helps students who are non-native speakers to access the curriculum. There is a dedicated EAL centre in the College, with two specialist members of staff, which students are encouraged to visit at any time as well as during timetabled EAL lessons.

All our EAL lessons are conducted in small classes and our EAL teachers work closely with subject teachers and Form Tutors to ensure that EAL students are receiving the specific language support they need. Homework is given every week to help reinforce learning.

Prior to joining the College, students will have sat our Entrance Examinations in English and Mathematics. The number of EAL lessons each students receives will depend on individual needs and are reviewed each term. There is an additional charge for EAL teaching which is detailed in the College fees

We help our students prepare for external examinations, such as IELTS, the English Proficiency Test accepted by British and worldwide universities. Students in Year 11 are able to take the IGCSE English As A Second Language examination.

All families interested in applying to study at St. Francis’ College should contact our Registrar, Mrs Lisa Cogan via admissions@st-francis.herts.sch.uk and she will guide you through the admissions process. We also work with partner educational agents, based all over the world, who will also help you with your application. Please contact Mrs Cogan for details of an agent in your home country.

Further information about the College can be obtained by clicking here  to view the prospectus.

If you have any specific queries, please contact Mrs Cogan.

All students are required to sit Entrance Examinations in Maths and English. If you are unable to attend an assessment day at the College, then we can arrange for you to sit the papers overseas.

All students are also required to have an entry interview with a senior member of staff. This can be via a video call if you are unable to visit in person.

We do welcome visits from all applicants and encourage families to come to the College prior to joining. Please contact Mrs Cogan to arrange a mutually convenient time via admissions@st-francis.herts.sch.uk.

Following the interview, the Registrar will advise if the applicant has been successful in securing a place, and the acceptance paperwork will be issued.

An offer of a place is valid for two weeks. To accept the offer, a student must return the acceptance form and pay the acceptance deposit of £4,500 (£1,000 for a short-term stay). We urge successful candidates to return the acceptance paperwork and pay the fee as quickly as possible, as if it has not been received within two weeks, we can no longer guarantee a place at the College.

St. Francis’ sponsors students through their secondary education on a Child Student Visa.

To apply for a Visa, parents must have paid at least the first term’s fees in full. Many parents prefer to pay a year in advance. Following payment, we will complete a draft confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS) for you to check. Please ensure you check it carefully as this is a legally binding document. Your daughter must also have at least six months validity on her passport. The management of CAS forms is undertaken by the Inspired Learning Group on behalf of the College.

Following checking, we will issue the CAS statement and send it to you along with the offer letter for you to take to the Visa Centre. If you have chosen to pay one term’s fees in advance you will need to prove that you have the funds to pay a year’s worth of boarding fees, and that the funds have been in your account for 28 days.

Please note that CAS statements are not issued before three months prior to starting at the College.

Visas are valid until the end of the GCSE course (end of Year 11) and then are re-issued for the two year A Level programme in the Sixth Form.

A condition of acceptance of the offer of a place at St. Francis’ College is that students joining us from overseas have an English-speaking guardian whose residential address is in the UK. This may be a relative or close friend, but must be a responsible adults over the age of 25 years.

Overseas students stay with their guardians during the holidays when the College is closed. Guardians are invited to join in with the life of the College and will receive information and invitations to keep them fully involved in their ward’s education.

The College currently works with several reputable organisations that provide guardianship services. Their contact details can be requested from our Registrar via admissions@st-francis.herts.sch.uk.