For families sending their child overseas to a UK boarding school, one of the most important and sometimes stressful parts of planning is travel. From booking flights to arranging guardianship, understanding how travel works across the academic year can make life much easier for both parents and pupils.

Here’s a simple guide to managing school-related travel as an international family.

When to Travel During the UK Boarding School Year

UK boarding schools follow a three-term calendar, with major holidays at Christmas, Easter, and summer, plus shorter half-term breaks. Your child will usually return home during the long holidays, while guardianship or hosted care is required for half-term if they’re not travelling.

We recommend:

• Booking flights as early as possible — especially for Christmas and summer
• Avoiding travel before official term end dates, which may affect attendance
• Checking return-to-school deadlines carefully (some schools are strict)
• Using school-recommended airport transfer services or taxis

At The UK Boarding School Advisors, we help families plan realistic travel timelines around each school’s expectations.

Airport Transfers and School Support

Most UK boarding schools offer organised transport on key travel days. This could include:

• Coach transfers from school to major airports (usually Heathrow or Gatwick)
• Recommended taxi services with DBS-checked drivers
• Staff-supervised travel for younger pupils
• Luggage delivery services (available at some schools)

Schools are experienced in managing pupil travel especially with hundreds of international families and can usually accommodate early/late flights with enough notice.

Guardianship and Travel Between Holidays

If your child isn’t returning home during half-term or exeat weekends, they will need a UK-based guardian. This could be a family friend or a professional guardianship company.

A good guardian will:

• Collect your child from school and return them safely
• Provide accommodation and support during short holidays
• Stay in contact with both you and the school
• Act as a point of contact in emergencies

We can help match families with trusted guardianship providers and make sure your travel plans align with guardianship arrangements.

Conclusion

International travel is a big part of the UK boarding school experience, but with good planning and the right support, it becomes a smooth and manageable routine. From term dates to airport transfers and guardianship, knowing what to expect will help you and your child settle into the school year with confidence.

Get in touch if you’d like help planning school travel, airport logistics or guardianship support.