We want to ensure that boarders whose parents live overseas are cared for at all times, including at the beginning and end of school holidays. As such, it is necessary that all boarders, regardless of age, must have an Educational Guardian based in the UK.
An offer of a boarding place at St Peter’s is conditional on an approved Educational Guardian being in place before the start of term.
What is an Educational Guardian?
- All pupils whose parents live overseas must have an appointed Educational Guardian who lives in the UK.
- The Educational Guardian should live within two hours of St Peter's School
Pupils Sponsored for a Child Student Visa
Any pupil who is seeking sponsorship from the School for a Child Student Visa must have an AEGIS approved Educational Guardian.
A copy of the contract with an AEGIS Guardian must submitted with other documents before sponsorship of the visa is considered.
This is in order to comply with the specific terms and conditions set out for guardianship by UK Visas and Immigration which were published in May 2025. For more information on applying for a Child Study Visa please visit the UK government website.
Parents who wish to consider arrangements other than an AEGIS guardian must contact the School. Sponsorship cannot be considered for any guardianship arrangements which do not meet the UKVI terms and conditions.
Pupils Not Sponsored for a Child Study Visa
Pupils whose parents live overseas but who do not require a Child Student Visa to study in the UK still require an Educational Guardian. This can be either:
An AEGIS approved Educational Guardian.
OR
A member of the pupil's immediate family: mother, father, legal guardian, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or grandparent
- We may ask you to supply evidence of the child’s relation to this family member, for example birth or adoption certificates, passports etc.
- The family member must have valid leave to remain in the UK and we may ask to see evidence of this. A visitor visa or any visa with less than one year’s leave to remain is not valid.
- The family member must be aged 25 or older, unless a brother or sister of the pupil when they must be over 21 years old.
- The family member may be asked to provide proof of their residence in the UK, for example a utility bill.
- The family member must not reside in a university hall of residence.
- Should the Educational Guardian change during the boarder’s time at St Peter’s, the boarder’s parents must inform the school as soon as possible.
Parents wishing to make any other guardianship arrangements must contact the School to discuss the suitability of the educational guardian and the School reserves the right to request alternative provision.
What is the role of an Educational Guardian?
- Educational Guardians are responsible for assisting with the care of a pupil when necessary, for example with travel arrangements or in emergencies.
- At times, boarders need to be away from School (for school trips and University open days for example). At such times the Educational Guardian will be required to assist either to give consent to a trip or visit, to arrange travel, or to provide care. In the first instance, the Educational Guardian should discuss plans and confirm arrangements with the boarder’s Houseparents.
- Good and regular communication between Houseparents and the Educational Guardian is essential to ensure boarders are well cared for and kept safe at all times whilst in the UK.
Please note that UK Visas and Immigration stipulates that all boarders’ holiday contact details must be submitted to the School before the start of each school holiday. Houseparents will assist in gathering this information at each exeat, half term and end of term.
All Educational Guardians are required to confirm acceptance of the St Peter's School Educational Guardian Policy.