'Abroad Boys' at Woodcote.

About 10% of Woodcote boys live abroad, being either from expatriate or foreign families, and the unique, friendly, family atmosphere for which we are renowned makes schooling a long way from home much more palatable.

As well as Mr Nick and his wife and family, the large number of pastoral staff and experienced teachers, many of whom live on site, all take particular pride in such boys' happiness and welfare.

The boy's day is a busy one, with a full programme of lessons, activities and sport, but there is plenty of opportunity for extra help with English for foreign boys - much of this will be from the mainstream staff and is included in the fees. It never ceases to amaze us how much progress a boy can make with his English, even if his time at Woodcote is limited to just a term or a year. If a boy is going to continue his education in the UK after Woodcote, Mr Nick is very happy to take personal charge of making arrangements with a suitable senior school.

In addition to a week's Half Term, there are two generous Exeats running from Friday midday to Monday evening. If boys are unable to return home for these, or do not have friends or family available, the school will always make arrangements for them - staying for a short time with the family of English classmates is all part of the experience, and great friendships have been forged as a result.

The other weekends all boys are in school, and their time is well-supervised, busy and fun. Popular activities include 'hutting' : the building of camps in the woods, and 'cooking' : frying potatoes on camp fires, but with several staff on duty - one of whom will organise an outing each Sunday - there is always plenty going on to suit all tastes.

'Abroad boys' are allowed mobile phones, lodged with Mr Nick for use in the evenings and weekends, though of course they may use the other boys' landlines if they prefer. All boys also have their own email address, and they will normally be expected to write a letter home on Sundays.

If it is not possible for a boy to spend some time at the school before starting, we can organise uniform from the School Shop on his parents' behalf. Clothes can be left at school over the holidays, for washing, mending and replacing if necessary, and at the beginning and end of terms, and indeed at the shorter breaks, we will always organise proper, reliable transfer to and from airports.