International & Overseas Students
Experience a seamless and welcoming journey into one of the UK’s elite performance boarding schools, where every step of the application process is designed to support your child’s success.
From the moment you send a simple online enquiry to your child’s first day at The Hammond, our Registrar guides you personally. The choice of an in-person or online audition and friendly video-call interviews let your child showcase their talents while getting a feel for the vibrant school community awaiting them in the world’s most beautiful city in 2025, Chester.
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A place at The Hammond is earned through talent, potential and dedication alone. Our faculty nurtures every student to professional standards, setting them on a path to exceptional academic success, elite vocational attainment and personal growth.
Should a place be offered to your young person - acceptance is effortless and your child’s future in the UK’s premier education system is ready to begin. We even support your family through the visa process with a fast-issued Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), making the transition to the UK simple and efficient.
Your Journey to the Hammond
Conditions of International Offers
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The school must receive and verify copies of the student’s passport and any previous UK visas, prior to a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) being raised.
The Hammond must be satisfied that the student is able to lawfully study in the UK.
The Hammond will also carry out identity checks with the student upon arrival.
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Both parents (or the parent with sole legal custody) must complete and sign The Hammond’s Parental Consent Form, confirming permission for the student to travel to the UK, live in our boarding provision/with the nominated guardian/in the agreed address (as per our Independent Living Policy), and study and train at The Hammond.
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Parents must appoint a UK-based guardian who is over 25, a permanent resident in the UK, and contactable in emergencies (Please read our Under 18 and International Student Policy).
The Hammond must be provided with full guardian details (address, phone, email).
Guardian arrangements are subject to school approval.
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The first term’s tuition and boarding fees must be paid in full no later than one week before the start of term and further proof of availability to pay school fees will be required.
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By accepting an offer at the Hammond, parents/guardians agree to support the school in conducting ongoing checks:
Monitoring of visa and passport expiry dates (parents will be reminded at 90, 60, and 30 days).
Termly confirmation of student contact details.
Student check-ins after guardian visits or travel events.
Provide up-to-date contact details for themselves, the student, and the appointed UK guardian at all times.
Inform the school of all travel arrangements to and from the UK, including term start and end journeys.
Ensure that fees continue to be paid in advance of each term.
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Once enrolled, the student will be expected to comply with all school regulations and UKVI requirements, including:
Maintaining regular attendance at all scheduled lessons and boarding roll calls.
Informing the school immediately of any illness or absence.
Understanding that failure to attend for 10 consecutive contact points without authorisation may result in withdrawal of sponsorship and notification to UKVI, unless absence is due to a genuine medical issue and the school is in contact with parents/guardians.
Failure to Meet Conditions
If the above conditions are not satisfied:
The Hammond reserves the right to withdraw the student’s offer and sponsorship.
A CAS will not be issued until all conditions are met.
If fees are not paid on time, or if identity/immigration checks raise concerns, the school will withdraw sponsorship and inform UKVI immediately.
International Fees
A full term’s fees are required prior to entering The Hammond, along with the returnable deposit referenced above. For students whose first language is not English, extra language tuition under the English as an Additional Language Service (EAL) will be arranged, for which additional charges will apply.
Please get in touch if you have any questions.
International Boarding
We currently have pupils from around the world as part of our boarding community and welcome a small number in each year group, ensuring pupils integrate and make the most of the opportunity to live alongside pupils from different backgrounds and cultures.
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Every pupil whose home is overseas or whose parents currently live or are posted abroad must have a nominated guardian for the duration of their stay at The Hammond. This guardian must be resident in the UK and, ideally, within a reasonable journey of the school.
In the event of an emergency, the guardian will be the first point of contact. Parents will, of course, also be contacted, but the guardian will act in their absence ‘in loco parentis’ which will include attending school meetings and parents evenings.
The Hammond’s Boarding facilities are available for pupils in Year 7-11 (School only). Our international college students live independently in the surrounding areas.