Gabbitas offers students a bridge to UK education

A British educational consultancy is making it easier for Chinese students to study in the United Kingdom.

"We have helped hundreds of students in fulfilling their dream to study in the UK since we established our consultancy branch in China four years ago," Director of Gabbitas China Sofie Liao said.

Gabbitas Education was founded in 1873 in the UK as a company to recruit schoolmasters to English independent schools.

Today, it offers a wealth of expertise on a wide spectrum of UK education.

"Due to our long history, Gabbitas has extensive relationships with over 500 independent schools across the country. And this enables us to help Chinese children to find schools that are most suitable for them," said Liao.

Young and ambitious, Liao has worked over eight years at Gabbitas.

She worked in the company's London headquarters for four years before coming to set up its first branch in Shanghai in 2009.

Speaking of the difference between European and Chinese parents, she said "I find that Chinese parents prefer their children only to study in top schools such as Harrow or Eton, whereas their European counterparts will choose the most suitable schools for their child."

"A top-rated school is not necessarily the best choice because what matters is whether there is a match between the child and the school.

"So we encourage and arrange for parents and their child to visit each school, tour the school grounds and meet with the headmaster before making their final decision."

Gabbitas also offers an excellent guardianship service. Guardianship service for overseas students is required by all UK boarding schools.

"If your child is studying in a UK boarding school, it is very important for the parents to know that the child can be cared for by a responsible guardian family," said Liao.

Liao said Gabbitas' guardian families have been selected through a rigid examination process that includes various background checks.

Furthermore, the distance to the school, the facilities provided in the house, and the family's educational background are some of the other key factors used by Gabbitas to select guardian families, she said.

Liao said Gabbitas is also planning to offer the UK educational model in the Chinese mainland.

"We are currently setting up schools in China. Our schools in Guangzhou and Beijing are expected be ready and have students enrolling by September 2015.

"By then Chinese children will be spared the trouble of having to travel thousands of miles away to enjoy the UK education."

Gabbitas is also striving to help Chinese teachers and school leaders to tap into British educational resources, she said.

"We are organizing a three-week National College for a teaching and leadership program in the UK. It will include courses and field visits so they can see for themselves how schools are run in the UK," Liao said.

"I think the program will offer some help when it comes to devising a curriculum and other aspects of running a school," she said.

As of the end of October, a range of headmasters have already shown interest in the program that will start in early 2014.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn