please read- GAP YEAR in england. HELP =]

i've never heard of this :s-smilie:

Reply 2

livvvvvvv

Hey eveyone

We were wondering if anyone has done this in the past, knows of their own school, (preferably in London or just outside) that takes on 2 gap students, or has any gapping infomation to help us! we are new to this and would love all the help we can get!

Thank you all alot =] x

Why London? Newcastle, Edinburgh and Cardiff are where it's at! :p:

Not that Edinburgh and Cardiff are in England...

I haven't heard of this and unfortunately I wasn't posh enough to go to a boarding school. Maybe you can. I'll have a look around.

There are so many websites and gap year companies organising things for UK students to Australia but not as many for Australia to the UK. What does that tell you about Australia? :biggrin:

Edit: - Like this?

http://forums.vogue.com.au/showthread.php?t=177811

Reply 3

SpiritedAway

do you speak another language? because i have heard LOADS about what you've explained, but for people coming from other mothertongued countries such as France, Germany and Poland.

Reply 4

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Theres-more-to-life-than-London-for-new-breed-of-gap-students/2005/01/17/1105810845736.html

There's this company: -

http://www.letzlive.com.au/gouk.html

This is all I can suggest. Many of us are state school scruffbags so hae no experience of boarding schools. There will be some around though.

Reply 5

angelmxxx

14

Most private schools take gappies, usually from australia/nz/south africa. they come over in january and stay til december (ie. their academic year, not our sept-aug timetable).

I suggest asking your friends and teachers for information about how to apply for these posts, and go on a website such as www.ukprivateschools.com to find contact details for schools then just ring/email them to ask for prospectuses and how to apply.

Good luck! xo

EDIT: i've just realised that quite a few boarding schools in my area have been missed off that website so you might want to use lots of websites to check you get all the schools' details:

http://www.boardingschools.hobsons.com

seems to have a comprehensive list.

Reply 6

angelmxxx

www.ukprivateschools.com

Woo hoo! St Martin's Ampleforth and Durham school (both north east!) I can recommend those!

I'm assuming as you're looking for London, op, that you aren't looking for anything too provincial and too rural?

Reply 7

OP

angelmxxx

Most private schools take gappies, usually from australia/nz/south africa. they come over in january and stay til december (ie. their academic year, not our sept-aug timetable).

I suggest asking your friends and teachers for information about how to apply for these posts, and go on a website such as www.ukprivateschools.com to find contact details for schools then just ring/email them to ask for prospectuses and how to apply.

Good luck! xo

EDIT: i've just realised that quite a few boarding schools in my area have been missed off that website so you might want to use lots of websites to check you get all the schools' details:

http://www.boardingschools.hobsons.com

seems to have a comprehensive list.

ahh thanks alott, yeah we have just started to email a couple of schools around. Got a reply today, but unfortunatly the school are stopping boarding, but they woulld usually do it.
ahh well lots to try =]

Reply 8

OP

River85

Woo hoo! St Martin's Ampleforth and Durham school (both north east!) I can recommend those!

I'm assuming as you're looking for London, op, that you aren't looking for anything too provincial and too rural?

Yes, i think we would prefer to stay near, around, or in london, but we deffinatly want to see ALL of england! =]

Reply 9

*River

15

I went to boarding school (no, I'm not a snob, and no, I don't drive a sports car), and when I first started we had 8 "gappies", one in each of the 6 boarding houses, 1 in the PE Department and 1 who helped out with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Now they only have the latter two. It's great because you earn enough money to travel around Europe, but at the same time, I know that they can get pretty lonely (and used to complain about this), because at my school at least, they were discouraged from becoming too close to the Sixth Form (even though we were pretty much the same age as them).

If you do go for it, I'd recommend applying to a school that's in a relatively big city with good public transport links so that you can make the most of your time in the UK.

Reply 10

OP

thats not to say though if we found a really great school out of london we wouldnt consider!

Reply 11

livvvvvvv

Yes, i think we would prefer to stay near, around, or in london, but we deffinatly want to see ALL of england! =]

Oh well, I suppose in a year you'll have plenty of time. Make sure you visit Durham and Newcastle (Upon Tyne)!

Just be aware of the very high cost of living in London, although I suppose if you are having acommodation and meals included in the price this shouldn't really be an issue.

Enjoy yourself :smile:

Edit: -

livvvvvvv

thats not to say though if we found a really great school out of london we wouldnt consider!

Well, London, despite being in the extreme south, it would be your best bet as a travel hub. It's the capital obviously so you have the good air links and train links to allow you to travel everywhere.

Reply 12

OP

*River

I went to boarding school (no, I'm not a snob, and no, I don't drive a sports car), and when I first started we had 8 "gappies", one in each of the 6 boarding houses, 1 in the PE Department and 1 who helped out with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Now they only have the latter two. It's great because you earn enough money to travel around Europe, but at the same time, I know that they can get pretty lonely (and used to complain about this), because at my school at least, they were discouraged from becoming too close to the Sixth Form (even though we were pretty much the same age as them).

If you do go for it, I'd recommend applying to a school that's in a relatively big city with good public transport links so that you can make the most of your time in the UK.

thanks for the info, what school did you go to?
Yeah i think doing it with a friend would help prevent being lonley and home sick, so thats why we need to find a school that would accept 2 of us

x

Reply 13

Ongels

7

My boarding school had gappies, though I don't know how they applied. I'm not sure it was an ideal location though, because it was in the middle of nowhere. 20 minutes from Reading, and in a beautiful location, but not exactly happening. The gappies all really enjoyed themselves though.

Although you're early, it's a good plan to look at the websites people are suggesting and contacting schools/agents to find out what's possible.

Reply 14

OP

River85

Oh well, I suppose in a year you'll have plenty of time. Make sure you visit Durham and Newcastle (Upon Tyne)!

Just be aware of the very high cost of living in London, although I suppose if you are having acommodation and meals included in the price this shouldn't really be an issue.

Enjoy yourself :smile:

Yes deffinatly aware how expesnive it will be, which is why this option is great because it cuts down the cost. im going job hunting this weekend to get myself a job and earn some extra money, because im going to need to save a hell of alot before i go =]

thanks alot x

Reply 15

Speedbird2008

3

Hi OP,

We have a load of "gappies" at my school (private day school, with about 150 boarding places - basically it isn't a "proper" boarding school) - all of them are from either SA or Australia.

They all work in the PE department, and as you stated they teach lessons and help around in the boarding house for about a term or two - so yes, six months as you stated.

They do get paid, and then go off travelling around the UK. :smile:

All of my friends at "proper" boarding schools have a lot of gappies there too, so there won't be any problem with you getting a placement. :biggrin:

PS - Send me a personal message for the best locations and areas... I don't want to state where I am actually from to everyone. :p:

Reply 16