Relocating and moving countries can be a stressful process. This is particularly challenging when considering the needs of a whole family. It may be the case that the children in the family have little or no English and the culture and school experience may be very different for them.

At Landmark we specialise in supporting you with this transition and provide the setting your children need during this time of change. We achieve this through offering a personalised approach to you and your children. This approach includes:

A tailored English Additional Language (EAL) Programme
Home language lessons
Access to an international curriculum which considers the transferability of skills between curriculums
A culturally diverse student community from all over the world

We believe that we are the best school in Cambridgeshire for families relocating from overseas, but rather than take our word for it we have chatted with some of our families (and a couple of students) about how they and their children thrived when moving to Landmark from overseas, with little or no English, to get their opinion on how Landmark managed their transition. Here is what they said:

Our experience with a diverse international student body enables us to support the student and family with the transition.

My experience from no English to being fluent - by a Year 10 student that relocated from Germany when she was in Year 7

When I moved to the UK four years ago I could speak only a few words in English. I thought it would take me a long time to learn the language fluently so I could take part in lessons without using a translator. I quickly found out that it was actually not that hard and I was able to speak quite fluently after just half a year of EAL (English as an additional language) and trying to speak a little bit each day. Teachers, classmates and friends helped and supported me the whole time, they corrected me if I said something wrong and helped me find a word if I couldn’t think of an English word. But what helped me a lot was writing down new words I learnt every time, which made it possible to extend and increase my vocabulary.

Now I’m in Year 10 and speak fluent English, and I still learn new vocab every day.

The initial experiences of a Chinese student who is now thriving in their GCSE studies - by a Year 11 that relocated when he was in Year 7

For me, I moved to the UK in 2019. Having learnt English for 5 years in China, I was able to make basic conversations however I didn't have the confidence to do so. I was nervous to find out how I would be treated. My older sister was at the school at the time and she did speak quite good English too, therefore I was not too worried. My sister helped me with vocabulary and other things I didn't understand on our walk home. On top of that, I had EAL lessons with Mme. Baron for more than 1 year. She helped me with speaking exercises every week and vocabulary tests too. Furthermore, my teachers and classmates helped me when I was struggling to understand an idea.

Students have lots of opportunities to celebrate their traditions.

Relocating from Iran - by a parent of a Year 2 student.

In 2022, amidst the pandemic, we relocated to England. Our friend recommended Landmark, where the educational approach resonated deeply with me, prioritising each student's unique needs and initiatives. Enrolling my daughter remotely, her language barrier was a significant challenge, compounded by our transition from remote work during the pandemic to a new culture and language. Nevertheless, Landmark warmly embraced us, guiding us patiently and compassionately through this transition, serving as a comforting haven during our entry into English life.

Now, after two years, my daughter can speak English like a native and read English books with ease. Landmark has become like a second family to her, and she has fantastic teachers whom she adores. We're grateful to all the staff at Landmark who made this sweet experience possible for us.

Welcoming and supporting a family from Germany - by a parent of a Year 1 and 9 student

Being sent over to the UK for work reasons and looking for a suitable school that helps students with little to no experience in English was a main focus. Offering an extended range of mother tongue lessons but also English as an additional language (EAL) was a main reason to pick Landmark. Heartingly welcoming us as a family, but our daughter in particular, connecting and directing us to the parent community made the transition easy and less stressful.

Our daughter was also quickly integrated in the class and school community and it was and still is great to see her progress since we have arrived. Thank you very much Landmark.

Families get to meet each other and work together to share culture

A collection of experiences from our Japanese families

A recently relocated family with Year 4, 7 and 9 children

Our family moved from Japan in December 2023 due to work transfer. We have three children, all boys. They had enjoyed their time in Japan, but moving to England was quite stressful for them. In particular, my eldest son, who was a teenager, was negative about going to England, and it took me a while to convince him.

Fortunately, we had a friend's child attending Landmark International School, so we were able to consult with them about the school, and at the same time, our anxiety was greatly reduced by close communication with the student affairs staff. Especially since school systems in Japan and the UK are very different, it was our duty as a couple to make sure that our children could enjoy school life without difficulty. Landmark International School was very accommodating to our concerns, which was very helpful!

International schools have children with various origins. By learning with their classmates, they will be able to see various cultural differences and we expect that this will help them grow significantly. And now, the children are happily attending school every day, without any of the anxiety of those days. Their classmates are the main reason for their positive attitude. First, there are the buddies who take care of the new students. Thanks to them, my children were able to adjust to school life without being lonely, and now they are having a good time even if they don't speak the same language.

My wife and I have learned the importance of having our children learn about different countries and cultures from an early age by sending them to Landmark.

English additional language students soon gain confidence and are able to deliver presentations in English to their peers and teachers.

A short but well supported stay for a Year 9 student

Our family planned to stay for just a year (due to our sabbatical leave), prompting us to select a school for my daughter that would maximise cross-cultural exchanges and foster English language proficiency. State schools didn’t have EAL programmes, and private schools demanded a high level of English proficiency for entry. Consequently, an international school emerged as our best choice.

Landmark offered outstanding EAL classes, providing one-to-one, individual lessons that concentrated on the areas where my daughter required further English fluency. The EAL programme also provided supplementary lessons in subjects beyond English, all taught in English, which naturally enhanced her listening and speaking skills in the language. We especially appreciate Mrs Baron's exceptional teaching approach, which inspired my daughter throughout the year.

Additionally, many opportunities for active participation in each class, including presentations and discussions, significantly enhanced her English proficiency. The intimate class sizes and the diverse international backgrounds of the students ensured a natural adaptability to diversity. Fortunately, her friends embraced her limited English fluency as an element of this diversity.

Year 5 and 9 students supported in experiencing a new culture

My husband was relocated to Cambridge from Tokyo for a new assignment. My daughters and I followed him a few months later. We were introduced to Landmark from another Japanese Family. I don’t think there were many choices as the girls spoke very little English. They still struggle with language but teachers and friends help them a lot.

We will stay here for sometime longer. I hope the girls will take the most from the experiences that they could never have from life in Japan.