If an institution sponsors a child aged under the age of 18 it must keep records of parental/legal guardian consent to the arrangements for the child’s application, travel, reception and care arrangements in the UK.

 

Children aged 16 and 17 have the legal right to live independently in the UK, and may make their own arrangements for accommodation, but they need the consent of parental/legal guardian to do this and to travel to the UK (if applying from overseas).

 

The majority of UK boarding schools require all overseas pupils to have a UK guardian. A guardian should be a responsible adult living in the UK who can be there in an emergency situation on behalf of parents.