HCR’s core philosophy is to help families fully understand their educational choices and the future impact of those choices, so that they have confidence in their decisions. The following white paper explores the differences between desktop searches and education. The successful placement of assignee’s children in suitable schools is critical to the overall success of an assignment. HCR demonstrates its understanding of the importance of educational assistance by considering schooling, housing and lifestyle simultaneously.

1. School Assistance
Desk Top Search versus Education Consultation
HCR’s core philosophy is to help families fully understand their educational choices and
the future impact of those choices, so that they have confidence in their decisions.
The successful placement of an assignee’s children in suitable schools is critical to the
overall success of an assignment. HCR demonstrates its understanding of the
importance of educational assistance by considering schooling, housing and lifestyle
simultaneously.
For desktop searches HCR uses comprehensive databases of educational institutions for
all school systems. Education Consultation with our dedicated Education Adviser includes
databases together with their own invaluable personal contacts and close links with top
schools around the world to manage School Search Programmes relating to:-
 State funded local schools
 Special needs schools
 Public schools
 International schools
 Home country syllabus schools (e.g. French, German, Japanese)
 Fee paying local schools
Domestic versus International
Domestic Relocation
For assignees relocating within the UK, it can be assumed that the families are familiar
with the UK school system.
 If the children enjoy private education in their Home city, often private education
will be their preferred method of continuing the education of their children in the
Host City.
 Should the children at home visit government schools the likelihood of the family
continuing the state education is high.
If there are no critical age considerations in most instances HCR will provide a desktop
search.
Critical Age/Grade
However, it must be taken into consideration that certain strategic decisions might have
to be taken at specific grade levels, which include:-
 Grade 6 – which secondary school for Grade 7
 Grade 9 – which GCSEs to choose for Grade 10 and 11
 Grade 11 – stay in current school to attend 6th Form or choose a dedicated 6th
Form College
Often parents are unaware of the school offerings in the Host City and how the final
school choice affects the long term future when the incorrect school is chosen.
© HCR Ltd, 2010
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2. HCR can assist by providing two levels of service, either a desk top search or the
provision of a dedicated Education Consultant.
Desktop Search
Our desk top search provides information, matching the age of the children:-
 Name of possible Schools
 Number of pupils
 Results for English / Maths / Science
 Address, Tel no., websites
 Age range
 Ofsted Report no
 Results - SAT Key Stage 2 and/or GCSE by area
Education Consultant
Should the children fall into the above categories of grade considerations, we would
strongly advise to provide assistance through our Education Consultant who understands
the pressures and challenges of choosing the right education options for one's children.
During a telephone discussion between the family and our Education Consultant the long
terms plans, ambitions and goal, current education and special needs are discussed. The
information we provide is tailored to the needs of each individual family but can include:-
 Advice and implication of choices in relation to the ages of the children in the
family, matching the individual needs and requirements
 An overview of the independent and state education choices in the travel to work
area
 Prospectuses and websites for local schools both independent and state
 Possibility of places at relevant schools
 Information appropriate and responsive to the children's needs e.g.: class size in
primary schools / subjects at GCSE in secondary schools
 Results - SATs (key stages 1, 2 & 3 where available) and GCSE
 Support, advice and insight to application process to schools. This includes helping
with appeals to state schools if necessary
Looking at HCR’s client base, about 90 % of authorised school searches provide
Education Advice for children when they fall into the ‘critical grade/age’ category.
International
For your international employees with children, finding the right education options is the
key element in ensuring a successful relocation. Most often the continuous education for
children is the main concern of a family.
What education is available? Should private versus government school be the choice?
How does the Home Education compare to the Host Country Education? What are critical
and key stages? How do different term starting times effect the placement in certain
grades? What is the difference in curriculum’s taught? Does the chosen school have a
waiting list? Is there an alternative? What are the costs? How can the disruption to
their children be managed?
© HCR Ltd, 2010
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3. During a telephone discussion between the family and our Education Consultant the long
terms plans, ambitions and goal, current education and special needs are discussed. The
information we provide is tailored to the needs of each individual family and our
Education Consultant advises families on:-
 Advice and implication of choices in relation to the ages of the children in the family
 Explanation of the English/Scottish/Welsh/Irish organisation of schooling, relating
this to a local education authority organisation where appropriate
 An overview of the independent and state education choices in the travel to work
area
 Prospectuses and websites for local schools both independent and state
 Possibility of places at relevant schools
 Information appropriate and responsive to the children's needs e.g.: class size in
primary schools / subjects at GCSE in secondary schools
 Results - SATs (key stages 1, 2 & 3 where available) and GCSE
 Help in decision making to select the final school
 Mapping information to allow families to see the local geography, amenities and
communication routes before arriving in the UK.
 Published guide to visiting and understanding schools within the UK, including advice
on ensuring that children settle academically and socially.
 Regular newsletter to keep families up-to-date with key education developments in
the UK.
 Support and advice on managing moves from the UK to other countries, focussing
on maintaining continuity and quality in each child’s education provision.
 Support, advice and insight to application process to schools. This includes helping
with appeals to state schools if necessary.
All of HCR’s clients instruct Education Consultation (and not desktop search) when
relocating international assignees and their families to/from the UK.
© HCR Ltd, 2010
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