Transcript OPDS - British Boarding Schools Workshop

How to increase recruitment by ensuring
your admissions procedures meet the
needs of international pupils and agents
Name:
Larry Field
Job Title:
Director
Company:
Overseas Personal Development Services (O.P.D.S.)
英
才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋
之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
• Formed in 1996, O.P.D.S. specializes in the
field of educational consultancy.
• We offer: Placement / Guardianship / Testing /
Tours to China
Parents + Agents
\
∕
Beijing Office
↕↕
London Office
∕ \
Students + Schools
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
之
桥
Background
14 Years’ Experience
China Market / Beijing Office
 100+ schools in the UK


• British education is highly regarded by the Chinese market
• They may be seeking 'A' level / IB / GCSE / ISC courses
• We offer Personal Placement services taking into account
entry requirements, cost and location.
• Key factor = suitability of the institution for the student.
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
之
桥
Basic China Statistics

Population = 1.4 Billion

GDP increased 400% since 2000

GDP per head grown at 14% since 2000

Exchange Rate: Was 16 Rmb v. £1, now 10.40

Salary up 6% to 8% every year since 2004 except 2009 (3%)

Student numbers: 34% of 2010 overseas recruits in ISC schools are
Chinese/Hong Kong

Numbers are likely to grow as more parents can afford.
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Factors in School Selection

League tables deemed critical by parents

Girls’ schools sometimes specified

Price is not a key factor – don’t be too cheap!

Limited knowledge of GCSE and IB

Reasonable knowledge of A-Level

Past experience – exam results and percentages

University destination list
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Key Aspects of the Admissions
Procedure

Customer Service

Entrance Procedures

Visits & Taster days

Developing your relationship
with agents
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Customer Service

The key factor in your success.

Swiftness of reply. Remember competition.

Information available/assistance at busy periods and
holidays.

Contact names/numbers/useful e-mails.

Updated information on your website
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Entrance Procedures

Clarify your entrance requirements

Help us to understand the type of
students you will consider

Avoids wasting time and effort
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
EFL Levels and Lessons



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Clarify entry levels for each course/key
entry point
Assistance with using your test
IELTS component scores
Aged 18+, now required to have IELTS
Provision of EFL lessons in school
Additional compulsory EFL in AS / A2
Fee ‘package’ to include EFL
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
之
桥
Entrance Procedures

Testing

Selection

Offer

UKBA Rules & Regulations!
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Entrance Procedures
Payments:
◦ Commission structure and percentage
◦ Possible incentives for additional numbers recruited
◦ Sign off by Registrar
◦ Bursar Issue – late payment can be detrimental
◦ Relation to sub agent
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Visits & Taster Days

Maximize the opportunity of the visit for
overseas families and agents

Good hospitality

Agents share their experiences!
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
Developing relationships with
your agents

Agents visit your school to see/learn/update/keep you
updated.

Key interface between families and schools

Office(s) overseas operating are on your behalf

They speak the local language

They help translate materials

Agents play a key role when
selecting schools
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
What to include in your website
& agent handbook

Key facts & figures

Courses – do you offer pre-A level/pre-IB year?

Results – with percentage tables

Fees (including deposits, EAL fees etc)
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Entry requirements for each intake year

Pie chart of boarding numbers and nationality
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869
What to include in your website
& agent handbook

Map of UK showing your location and proximity to airports

Information about your location – nearest town and
attractions

Details of EFL lessons, with costs

Flowchart of steps in your recruitment process

Timescale by which your commitment will be made

Key dates in School Calendar, especially P/T evenings

Key contacts
英
才
辈
出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥
www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn
020 8660 8869