January start guardianship
Starting a UK boarding school in January: your guardianship checklist.
Starting in January gives your child a fresh term, smaller arrival groups and time to settle before exams. It also means a short run-up, often eight weeks or less, to arrange the visa, travel and a UK guardian. This page sets out what needs doing and when, and what YES Guardians takes care of for you.
AEGIS Gold Standard accredited · Personally led by Marc and Hayley Harris · 24/7 emergency cover from day one
Do this first
Arrange your guardian before the visa.
Since 29 May 2025, students under 18 applying for a Child Student visa need a documented care arrangement, supported by a letter of undertaking from their UK carer. For most boarding pupils, that carer is their educational guardian. Your school also needs your guardian’s details, and some schools need them before they will issue the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) your child needs for the visa application.
So the guardian comes first, then the visa.
We issue your letter of undertaking within 3 working days of your application being accepted, and usually much sooner.
November to February
Your countdown to the January term.
- i.
By the end of November
Confirm your child’s place. Apply for guardianship. We send the guardianship letter and our details to the school.
- ii.
Early December
Apply for the visa using the school’s confirmation (CAS) and our letter. Allow at least three weeks for a decision.
- iii.
Mid-December
Book flights. Send us the flight details, and we book the airport transfer and, if needed, a host family for the night before term. January flights are often delayed by winter weather, so tell us about any change and we rearrange the transfer around it.
- iv.
Over Christmas
Pack for a British winter. See the kit list below.
- v.
First week of January
Your child’s driver collects them from the airport and takes them to school, and we message you once they are settled in.
- vi.
Late January
The first exeat weekend. On Plus and Premium, your child stays with a vetted YES Guardians host family.
- vii.
February half-term
A week with their host family, or travel home if you prefer. On Plus and Premium, we arrange either.
Taken care of
What we arrange for January starters.
All packages
Guardianship letter and school paperwork
Your letter of undertaking, plus our details and 24/7 number sent to the school, done quickly so the visa isn’t held up.
All packages
24/7 emergency cover
A named guardian on call from the day your child lands.
All packages
Introductions and termly contact
We introduce ourselves to you, your child and the school, and email you every term so you know we are there.
Plus and Premium
Airport transfers
A DBS-checked driver collects your child from the airport and takes them straight on to school or their host family.
Plus and Premium
Host family for exeats and half-terms
A vetted family close to the school, used to welcoming a new student in the middle of winter. On Premium, the same family every time. Host family nights are charged per night.
Premium
Parents’ evenings and school orders
We attend parents’ evenings and send you a written report, and we handle uniform and trip ordering.
Packing
January kit list.
January in the UK is cold, dark by 4.30pm and often wet. Pack:
- A warm waterproof coat and waterproof shoes.
- Thermal layers, gloves and a hat.
- Uniform and sports kit from the school’s list. Many schools sell second-hand uniform, so check before you buy.
- A UK plug adaptor and phone charger.
- A UK SIM card or international phone plan, so your child can reach you and us from the moment they land.
- Any medication, with a doctor’s letter in English.
The people behind YES
Why parents choose YES Guardians.
YES Guardians is an AEGIS Gold accredited guardianship company based in Bishops Cleeve, near Cheltenham. We are a husband-and-wife team. Hayley brings a paediatric nursing background, and every host family is DBS-checked and visited by us.
Questions
January start questions.
Can my child start a UK boarding school in January?
Yes. Many independent schools and sixth form colleges take January entrants, especially into Year 9, Year 12 and international programmes. Ask your school whether a January start suits your child’s year group.
Does my child need a guardian before applying for the visa?
Yes, in practice. Under-18s on a Child Student visa need a documented care arrangement, and a letter of undertaking from the carer supports the application. Some schools also need your guardian’s details before they issue the CAS. Arrange your guardian first.
How quickly can you issue the guardianship letter?
Within 3 working days of your application being accepted, and usually much sooner.
What if my child’s flight lands before the boarding house opens?
Their driver takes them to a host family for the night, and on to school the next day. Just tell us the flight times when you book.
Is YES Guardians accredited?
Yes. We hold AEGIS Gold Standard accreditation, which many schools require for their international pupils.
How much does January guardianship cost?
The same as any other start date: Basic £350 a term, Plus £595 a term and Premium £899 a term. Host family nights are charged separately. See our Guardianship Packages page.
Let’s have a conversation
Starting in January? Let’s get you ready.
Book a 30-minute call and we’ll walk you through the timeline for your child’s school.
Educational guardians support families and schools and do not replace parental responsibility.