How Schoolmaster works

From confusion to confidence

Most international families start the process with a pile of questions and no clear place to begin. Schoolmaster gives you a structured path — from first research to final application.

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Step 01

Create a free account

Register in under a minute. No credit card required. Add your child's name, date of birth, and current school. Schoolmaster will calculate which entry points apply and show you roughly how much time you have before key deadlines.

Worth knowing: Even if you are years away from applying, it is worth starting now. Some of the most sought-after schools — particularly boarding schools — require registration years in advance.

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Step 02

Explore schools that fit your criteria

Search and filter our database of over 3,000 British independent schools. Filter by boarding or day, boys', girls', or co-educational, location in the UK, and the entry points your child is eligible for. Each school profile explains its admissions process in plain language.

Worth knowing: Not sure whether boarding or day school is right for your family? Read our guide to help you think through the decision.

Boarding vs day school guide →
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Step 03

Understand each school's process

Every British independent school runs its own admissions process independently. There is no central application system (unlike university applications in the UK, which use UCAS). Each school has its own registration form, deadline, assessment day, and offer timeline. Schoolmaster consolidates all of this into one clear view.

Worth knowing: Many international families are surprised to learn that applying to a British school is not like applying to a university. There is no common form. Each school must be applied to individually.

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Step 04

Shortlist and build your application plan

Add schools to your shortlist and Schoolmaster builds a consolidated timeline — showing every registration deadline, assessment date, and document requirement across all your shortlisted schools, side by side. You can see at a glance what needs to happen next.

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Step 05

Track every application

As you progress through each application, mark off completed steps. Upload documents to your child's profile. Set reminders for upcoming deadlines. Schoolmaster keeps everything in one place so nothing falls through the cracks — especially important when you are managing multiple schools across different time zones.

Worth knowing: Premium members receive email reminders before every deadline, so you never miss a registration window even if you are travelling or in a different time zone.

Ready to start?

Create a free account and get a personalised view of the British independent school system for your child — no credit card required.

Create your free account