Everything your family needs before your child joins boarding at St Leonards
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find information about boarding life at St Leonards?
Our Boarding webpage provides an introduction to life as a boarder at St Leonards, including information about our boarding houses, pastoral care and daily life.
Where can I find information about my child’s boarding house?
Each boarding house has its own handbook with key information about daily life, routines and what to expect. Click below to learn more about each house.
St Rule Handbook – our co-educational boarding house for younger pupils, offering a friendly and supportive environment where boarders quickly get to know one another and the staff who care for them.
Bishopshall Handbook – our Senior girls boarding house, home to a welcoming international community.
OllerenshawHandbook – our Senior boys boarding house, where pupils from around the world live and study together.
What does my child need to bring with them?
The boarders’ equipment list includes everything your child will need before arriving at St Leonards.
Will my child need a visa to study at St Leonards?
Non UK and Irish passport holders may require a visa before travelling to the UK. Pupils studying at St Leonards for more than six months will usually require a Child Student Visa, while those studying for less than six months are normally permitted to enter as visitors.
If you have any questions about visas or immigration, please contact the Admissions team at registrar@stleonards-fife.org
What travel documents will my child need when they arrive in the UK?
We are required by the Home Office to collect proof of arrival in the UK from all non UK and Irish passport holders. This can be a boarding pass (paper or electronic) or a luggage tag, so please ensure your child keeps one of these when travelling.
If your child requires a visa, it is important that they do not travel to the UK until it has been granted.
Where should we stay when dropping off our child at the boarding house?
We have put together this document which outlines some of the accommodation option in St Andrews, and includes some special rates for St Leonards families.
Visitors to Scotland can find information about accommodation and attractions at www.visitscotland.com where there is a page dedicated to St Andrews.
How will my child’s travel to and from St Leonards be managed?
We have partnered with I-GTM to help manage and monitor travel arrangements for boarding pupils. Families use the platform to submit travel information, helping us support pupils throughout their journey to St Andrews and meet our safeguarding responsibilities. The parent guides provides further information about using I-GTM and arranging travel.
